Despite the soaring success of House of the Dragon, Emilia Clarke remains resolute in her decision not to watch the Game of Thrones prequel. The 37-year-old actress, best known for her iconic portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen, recently opened up about her reasons for avoiding the new series, which returns for its second season on Sunday, June 16.
“I still can’t,” Clarke admitted in an exclusive interview. “I just don’t know what it is. I feel so content and happy with what my experience was, that I think watching the new one would just feel so odd.”
Clarke’s tenure on Game of Thrones, spanning from 2011 to 2019, has left her with a profound sense of fulfillment. The HBO series not only catapulted her to international stardom but also etched Daenerys Targaryen into the annals of television history. For Clarke, her journey with the series feels complete, and revisiting the Targaryen saga through House of the Dragon doesn’t appeal to her.
Nonetheless, Clarke expressed nothing but admiration for the new show and its team. “I really do fully support the entire thing and everyone who’s made it, and it’s beautiful how successful it’s been,” she said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”
House of the Dragon, which premiered in August 2022, explores the tumultuous events leading up to the fall of House Targaryen, occurring nearly two centuries before Daenerys’s story unfolds in Game of Thrones. The prequel has garnered critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, solidifying its place in the Game of Thrones universe.
As Clarke embraces her new role as Pegasus Distillerie’s global brand ambassador, she reflects on her Game of Thrones experience with growing appreciation. “The more distance I have from Game of Thrones, the more I can quantify it,” Clarke shared. “The more I’m like, that was incredibly special and that was incredibly rare.”
While Clarke may not be tuning in to House of the Dragon, her legacy as the Mother of Dragons continues to inspire fans and resonate through the world of Westeros. As she moves forward, Clarke leaves behind a rich legacy, content with the part she played in the epic saga.
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