In a new Power of Women London cover story for VARIETY, Emilia Clarke speaks with International Correspondent K.J. Yossman about being nude during “Game of Thrones” and how it compares to other sets, the reported $300k per episode earnings for main GAME OF THRONES cast members, facing survivors guilt after two brain hemorrhages, and more.
Clarke on not winning an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama: “I’m embarrassed to admit that not winning an Emmy was a really significant thing,” she says. “Everyone’s over ‘Game of Thrones’ now — you’re old news.”
On changing her mindset after losing out at the Emmys: “I do not like that person,” she thought. “Because clearly I have a 13-year-old’s idea of success.”
On her agent calling her about the “Game of Thrones” role: “I was like ‘Hello?’ And he said, ‘You ever audition for “Game of Thrones?”’ I was like, ‘You’ve just said gobbledygook. I have no idea what we’re talking about.’”
On reading her Daenerys scenes for the first time: “I just cried with fear.”
On being nude during “Game of Thrones” compared to other sets: “Because I know what it can be and on ‘Game of Thrones’ I never had that,” she says. “I’ve experienced lack of care on other jobs which I think could have been prevented with some consideration.” She continued, “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.”
On the reported $300,000 per episode earnings for the main characters on “Game of Thrones”: “We didn’t earn that much. Can you imagine? I’d have been driving a couple of Porsches!”
On facing survivors guilt after suffering two hemorrhages: “For a number of years, I felt that I had cheated death, and it was coming to get me,” Clarke says. “I truly felt like I had done something wrong, and I shouldn’t be here.” She adds: “I also thought it ruined my ability to act — which some people might agree with!”
On her roles after “Game of Thrones” (“Secret Invasion”, “Terminator Genisys”, “Solo: A Star Wars Story”): “I don’t think no one liked that show, guys. I’m sorry!” She continues: “‘Star Wars’? They didn’t like it. ‘Terminator’? That should never have happened. But these were jobs I said yes to, you know what I mean?”
On redefining success and taking on a role for the enjoyment of it: “My connection to a project ends when they say, ‘Picture wrap.’ Because it’s not for me to decide what people will think of it.”
On reading the script for her show “Ponies”: “It was such a joy to read,” she says. “Quite often, I’ll get scripts where I’ll go, ‘Can’t wait to watch it; don’t want to be in it.’ That was not this.”
On fully appreciating her role in “Game of Thrones”: “I have gone through every circuitous route to get to the place that I am now, which is finally being able to be very grateful for everything that ‘Game of Thrones’ did and has given me. I no longer feel trapped in it, or trapped in the result of being in it,” she says thoughtfully. “I feel just really lucky that it happened to me — even luckier that I’ve had time to understand what that was, and now I feel firmly on the other side.”
[Photo Credit: Zoe McConnell for Variety]
Previous post:
Halle Berry in McQueen at the TODAY Studios Next Post:
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS: HOW-TO VIDEOS
Halle Berry in McQueen at the TODAY Studios Next Post:
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS: HOW-TO VIDEOS
-
VARIETY “Actors on Actors”: Elizabeth Banks and Josh Hutcherson Talk HUNGER GAMES, I LOVE LA,...
-
Dwayne Johnson is ESQUIRE’s Summer Issue Cover Star!
-
Zoë Kravitz Covers British VOGUE’s July Issue
Please review our Community Guidelines before posting a comment. Thank you!
