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Emilia Clarke

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Emilia Clarke is a prominent English actress known for her work in television, film, and theater.

Emilia Clarke Comic Con 2011 (cropped)
Emilia Clarke Comic Con 2011 (cropped)

She achieved global fame for her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series *Game of Thrones*. This series aired from 2011 to 2019 and was based on the books by George R.R. Martin. Clarke's performance followed a character arc that transformed a frightened girl into a powerful leader. This specific role earned her four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She has since expanded her career into major film franchises and stage productions.

Clarke's journey into acting began at the age of three after watching the musical *Show Boat*. Her interest grew when her father, a theatre sound engineer, took her to an audition for *The Goodbye Girl* at age ten. She attended St Edward's School in Oxford, where she participated in student productions of *Twelfth Night* and *West Side Story*.

St Edward's School Oxford
St Edward's School Oxford

After school, she applied to several prestigious drama schools, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although those initial applications were unsuccessful, she eventually enrolled in the Drama Centre London. She graduated from that institution in 2009, marking the start of her professional career.

Following her graduation, Clarke navigated the early stages of the acting profession. She worked various non-acting jobs while continuing to audition for new roles. Her early credits included a guest appearance on the medical soap opera *Doctors* in 2009. She also appeared in a student short film called *Drop the Dog*. One of her first professional film roles was in the 2010 television film *Triassic Attack*. Despite receiving negative reviews for that film, *Screen International* named her a "UK Star of Tomorrow."

The role of Daenerys Targaryen changed the trajectory of her career significantly. Originally, actress Tamzin Merchant was cast for the part, but Clarke replaced her during the re-shooting of the pilot episode. Throughout the eight seasons of *Game of Thrones*, Clarke became one of the highest-paid actors on television. By 2017, she reportedly earned between £1.2 million and £2 million per episode. Her work on the series also extended to the digital world, as she provided her voice and likeness for a 2014 video game based on the show.

Clarke has also demonstrated her ability to lead major Hollywood blockbusters. In 2015, she played Sarah Connor in the science fiction film *Terminator: Genisys*. This movie was a significant box office success, grossing more than $440 million worldwide. She also joined the *Star Wars* universe in 2018, playing Qi'ra in *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.

Emilia Clarke, MTV UK, 2018 (2)
Emilia Clarke, MTV UK, 2018 (2)

Critics often highlighted her performance as a standout in that production. Additionally, her romantic drama *Me Before You* earned $200 million in worldwide revenues.

Beyond acting, Clarke has explored writing and theater in different formats. She co-wrote a comic book series titled *M.O.M.: Mother of Madness* with Marguerite Bennett. In the theater, she made her Broadway debut in 2013 playing Holly Golightly in *Breakfast at Tiffany's*. She also performed in a West End production of *The Seagull*. This production faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic but eventually resumed in 2022. Her performance in the play received praise from critics, who described her as "magnetic."

Clarke's personal identity is also shaped by her diverse family history. She is of partial Indian descent through her maternal grandmother. She has expressed great pride in her Indian heritage, noting that it is an integral part of her identity. She describes her family as having a "history of fighters," a sentiment linked to the difficulties her grandmother faced.

Emilia Clarke at the 2023 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards
Emilia Clarke at the 2023 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards

This background informs her perspective as she continues to take on complex roles in both independent and franchise cinema.

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File:St Edward's School Oxford.jpg
St Edward's School Oxford.jpg
File:Emilia Clarke Comic Con 2011 (cropped).jpg
Emilia Clarke Comic Con 2011 (cropped).jpg
File:Emilia Clarke, MTV UK, 2018 (2).png
Emilia Clarke, MTV UK, 2018 (2).png
File:Emilia Clarke Dior.png
Emilia Clarke Dior.png
File:Emilia Clarke at the 2023 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards.jpg
Emilia Clarke at the 2023 Harper's Bazaar...
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