Emilia Clarke, widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, in HBO’s monumental series “Game of Thrones,” has indicated a decisive shift away from the fantasy genre. After eight years immersed in the world of Westeros, Clarke conveyed to The New York Times, during the press tour for her new Peacock espionage series “Ponies,” that she is largely done with such roles. She explicitly stated, “You’re highly unlikely to see me get on a dragon, or even in the same frame as a dragon, ever again.”

Clarke's performance as Daenerys earned her four Emmy nominations, anchoring one of television's most compelling characters. However, her character was at the heart of “Game of Thrones’” tumultuous final season, where Daenerys underwent a rapid transformation into the Mad Queen, becoming one of the primary antagonists before her eventual murder in the series finale. This controversial arc left many viewers outraged by its perceived rushed execution.

The actress herself was initially speechless upon reading the final scripts, unaware of Daenerys's dark turn. She recalled her extreme reaction to Dany’s death, saying, “What, what, what, WHAT!?...Because it comes out of fucking nowhere. I’m flabbergasted. Absolutely never saw that coming.” Clarke recounted crying, taking a five-hour walk with blisters on her feet, and calling her mother for support. She even posed unusual questions to her family about Daenerys’s moral character, revealing the profound impact the storyline had on her.

Reflecting on the final season, Clarke previously told The Sunday Times in 2020 that she was annoyed by the show’s tendency to prioritize grand set pieces over intricate dialogue scenes and character development. Despite the widespread disappointment among fans regarding Dany's trajectory, Clarke has come to terms with the series' conclusion. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter a year later, she affirmed, “I really have. I really, really, really have,” regarding making peace with “Thrones” and its ending.

Clarke acknowledged the deep personal connection she still holds to the show, stating it would likely take until her 90s to view “Game of Thrones” objectively due to the overwhelming emotional reactions tied to her own experiences during filming. While understanding why viewers were “pissed” about Dany’s dark turn, she emphasized the actor's imperative to commit fully to the character, even when disagreeing with the direction. “I get why people are pissed…But, me being the actor, you can’t do justice to the character that you poured your blood, sweat and tears into for a decade without getting on the same page,” she told MTV, highlighting the professional responsibility to embrace the role regardless of personal feelings.