'Game of Thrones' Star Emilia Clarke: Playing Daenerys 'Taught Me About Lady Balls'

Emilia Clarke looks back fondly at her eight seasons on HBO’s epic fantasy series, “Game of Thrones,” and realizes that playing Daenerys taught her something vital about herself: “She taught me about lady balls,” the four-time Emmy nominee said.

No question about it, Daenerys became a formidable conqueror and ruler by the time the show ended earlier this year, and Clarke is the first to acknowledge that.

“She taught me what it feels like to be in a room and be heard. She wielded such power, calmness and such poise,” Clarke said in a new interview with The Daily Telegraph.

Also Read: Emilia Clarke Thanks 'Game of Thrones' Fans as Show Ends: 'And Now Our Watch Has Ended'

“She had a fierce intensity and made some incredibly tough choices. In Season 3, she had to start busting some balls, and as a 25-year-old standing in front of 500 extras, 150 crew members, six cameras, a drone, dragons and fire, I had to bring it.”

She added, “I felt like if I can do that, then the red carpet doesn’t feel so scary to me at all. So there’s a certain kind of self-belief that rubs off on you as a person.”

Yes, playing the Mother of Dragons, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, or whatever you want to call her, is a tough act to follow, but Clarke doesn’t worry herself about those little things.

Also Read: Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding Meet-Cute (With Bird Poop) in 'Last Christmas' Trailer (Video)

“I don’t feel pressure to follow up the show because it’s unfollowable. I’m not going to go off and be like ‘Oh well, dragons are my thing…’ I can’t be a crazy woman demanding dragons forever! ‘These aren’t as good as my last dragons!’ Can you imagine?,” she laughed.

But as good luck would have it, her follow-up project is a dramedy about a continuously unlucky woman in “Last Christmas,” written by Emma Thompson and her husband Greg Wise, and directed Paul Feig.

“It was pitched to me like, ‘Emma Thompson has written a movie.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t even need to read it. Yes, I’m in, I’m 100 per cent in,'” Clarke recalled. “I think she is the greatest human and with the double combo of Paul Feig directing, it was an absolute no-brainer. Worst-case scenario, we were at least going to have a wonderful time.”

“Last Christmas” opens in theaters on Nov. 8.

'Game of Thrones': Daenerys' Transformation from Frightened Maid to Conqueror (Photos)

Daenerys Stormborn, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Mother of Dragons, The Unburnt, Breaker of Chains has many titles, and she has an outfit to go with every one. Here's a look through Dany's style evolution, from shy maid to White Walker battler.
HBO
Dany starts out Season 1 as the easily frightened little sister of Viserys Targaryen. They're the last living Targaryens (as far as the audience knows at that point). Viserys is known in the books as the "Beggar King" because he and Dany have been on the run from King Robert Baratheon all their lives, living off the generosity of others in Essos. Here's Dany in a thin "viewing dress" to meet her soon-to-be-husband, Khal Drogo.
HBO
Dany stands here on her wedding day to Khal Drogo. In the early Season 1, Dany is dressed in thin, sheer, light-colored dresses, emphasizing her innocence and inexperience.
HBO
Unlike her brother, Dany embraces the Dothraki culture. She quickly discards her flimsy silks and dons Dothraki garb, ideal for horseback riding and adventuring through the desert. This helps in earning the Dothraki's trust, something that will greatly benefit her rule as the series goes on.

Also Read: 23 Big ‘Game of Thrones’ Fan Theories for Season 7 and Beyond (Photos)
HBO
"Game of Thrones" is known for its unabashed nudity, and Dany's character is no exception. At the end of Season 1, she emerges from Drogo's funeral pyre naked, unburnt and the new mother to three baby dragons. A similar scene will appear again, several seasons later.
HBO
Moving into Season 2, Dany goes back and forth between her Khaleesi garb and more flimsy dresses. She is forced to ask for help from Xaro Xhoan Daxos in Qarth, where she visits the House of the Undying...
HBO
... Which is where (in the books but not the show) the "dragon has three heads" prophecy is made. Though she's still at the beginning of her conquering days, it's important that Dany proves herself as a powerful and respected leader. This plated dress symbolizes that. In the books, it's noted that Dany dresses in the fashion of wherever she happens to be (as she travels so much). This helps her earn trust of those around her and demonstrates that she respects various cultures.

Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Here’s Why Jon Snow’s Moment With Drogon Is Super Important
HBO
Dany gets her "Breaker of Chains" title when she frees the slaves of Meereen and defeats the Masters. This is also where we get her iconic blue cutout dress with pants and boots underneath.

Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Key Events in the Series So Far (Photos)
HBO
Pretty much all of Dany's outfits have some sort of Targaryen or dragon touch, like this cutout dress. If you look closely, the shoulders and lining are made of a material that resembles dragon scales.
HBO
In Meereen, Dany takes an audience with her new citizens and plays the part of a ruler they call "Mhysa" (which means "Mother"). She's back to wearing elegant gowns as their queen.

HBO
After Dany flies off on Drogon's back at the end of Season 5, she's lost in the Grass Sea and captured by the Dothraki. Her royal blues are battered and torn, but she emerges (naked again) the victor after burning up the Dosh Khaleen, proving that it's not the dress that makes the ruler.

Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones’ Lore Refresher: That Old Battle Jorah and Thoros Were Talking About
HBO
At the end of Season 6, we learn that winter has finally arrived. Dany's headed to Westeros, and sports darker colors and more Targaryen detailing. She also dresses more like the Westerosi do, again adapting her dress to the culture she's visiting.
HBO
When Dany finally arrives back in Dragonstone, for the first time in her adult life, she is regal as ever. Her dark winter-wear mirrors Cersei's darker queen wardrobe.
HBO
Dany continues her wintery wardrobe throughout Season 7, culminating in probably her best outfit yet: a furry white piece of outerwear perfection that she dons to rescue Jon and The Brotherhood from beyond the wall. The white harkens back to her fashions in the early seasons, while the heavy material and half dress/half pants style is reminiscent of her days as conqueror.

Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Everybody’s Real Upset About the Night King’s Javelin Skills
HBO

1 of 14

Dany adapts her wardrobe to the city she rules at the time

Daenerys Stormborn, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Mother of Dragons, The Unburnt, Breaker of Chains has many titles, and she has an outfit to go with every one. Here's a look through Dany's style evolution, from shy maid to White Walker battler.

View In Gallery

'Game of Thrones': Daenerys' Transformation from Frightened Maid to Conqueror (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL