Emilia Clarke has cleared up long standing rumors about how much the Game of Thrones cast earned during the hit HBO series. The actress, who played Daenerys Targaryen, said reports claiming the main stars made around $300,000 per episode were not true.
She responded with humor, saying that if she had earned that much, she would have been driving several luxury cars. Although Clarke did not reveal her exact salary, she said the show still gave her financial security.
Emilia Clarke addresses those #GameOfThrones salary rumors, the backlash to her Marvel and Star Wars projects, and surviving two brain aneurysms in today's Power of Women London issue.
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In fact, she shared that it allowed her to do something very important, which was paying off her parents’ mortgage. As a result, she said the success of the series had a meaningful impact on her life beyond fame and recognition.
Clarke also spoke about the creative process behind the show. She explained that the main actors had no creative control over the story or character decisions. However, she said she did not expect or want that responsibility. Instead, she trusted the show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and praised them for their work.
She added that her job was to understand her character and follow the story as written. Therefore, she focused on bringing Daenerys to life based on the scripts she received each season.
Looking back years after the show ended, Clarke said she now values the experience even more. She described Game of Thrones as a rare and special project that shaped her career in a major way. Although the series finale was controversial among fans, she said time has helped her appreciate the journey.
Overall, Clarke said she feels grateful for her time on the show. Even though the dragons are gone, she continues to reflect positively on the role that made her a global star.
