Emilia Clarke Discusses Lack of Care on Film Projects During Her ‘Game of Thrones’ Era

Emilia Clarke has shared her thoughts on the treatment she received during various film projects while simultaneously working on ‘Game of Thrones’. Her remarks were part of a profile interview published by Variety, where she reflects on her career during and after portraying Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s iconic series.

Clarke clarifies that while her experience on ‘Game of Thrones’ was not abusive, she did feel a significant lack of support on other productions she was involved with during that period.

Although she refrains from naming specific projects, she was asked if her comments pertained to major studio films like ‘Terminator Genisys’ or ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’, both of which faced notable production challenges and mixed reviews. However, Clarke did not confirm any direct association.

In the interview, Clarke emphasizes that her critique is not aimed at individuals acting with malice or abusing their power. Instead, she highlights a broader issue within the industry. She stated, “I don’t want to specifically say. There’s just been a number of occasions where I’ve been like, ‘This ain’t right.’ And again, it’s not through someone abusing power; it’s through lack of thinking and care.”

She elaborates that the problem often stems from how situations are managed on set rather than from any single dramatic event. In her opinion, minor decisions and a lack of attention to the treatment of actors can accumulate, creating a challenging work environment, particularly for younger performers involved in large productions.

Clarke contrasts these experiences with her time on ‘Game of Thrones’, where she felt a greater sense of stability, despite facing emotionally and physically demanding moments early in her role as Daenerys. She has previously expressed feeling unprepared as a young actress entering major productions without much control over her surroundings.

Her reflections also coincide with a broader reconsideration of her definition of success over the years. Following the conclusion of ‘Game of Thrones’, Clarke indicates that she has shifted her focus away from large franchises and towards projects that feel creatively fulfilling and personally rewarding, rather than merely participating in big studio films.

Looking back on her experiences in major franchises, Clarke has been candid about their reception. In the same interview, she acknowledges that some of the significant studio projects she joined did not resonate well with audiences or critics. Nevertheless, she views these experiences as part of working within established franchises rather than taking them personally.

The interview features Clarke discussing her career, health challenges, and her evolving relationship with fame and success.

For Clarke, the main takeaway is not to blame specific productions but to underscore the necessity of care on set. Her comments imply that improved communication, attention, and respect in production environments could have alleviated some of those experiences, especially during the formative stages of her career as she navigated her place in the industry.

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