MovieChat Forums > Game of Thrones (2011) Discussion > Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen ?

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen ?

posted 5 years ago by Birdmant7 (202)
43 replies | jump to latest

Dear GOT fans

Ever since I started to watch this show GOT; I was always impressed with the casting of the actors like "Sean Bean" who really was perfect as Ned Stark and also "Michelle Fairley" as his wife Catelyn Stark; and it was like domino effect of each character's casting always seem like fit match to the actor chosen for it; except one actress "Emilia Clarke" as Daenerys that I waited 8 seasons but I still can't see this actress was the right choice for this role?. I know many of you may read this post and may disagree or I may even get a FANBOY attack, by replies but this is just my opinion that Emilia Clarke may sound very English and speak elegantly and proper; but the problem is that if you take away that blonde wig and those fancy costumes; she really has no screen presence. There is just something missing in her performance that comes off that makes you lose interest in watching her, she is like a little girl who ran and sneaked in to put on grown up clothes and pretend she is an adult, that's the only way I can describe the feeling I get by watching her. I saw her into two other films "Terminator 5" and "Solo: Star Wars", she was just a miscast in those two films as well, as if she is just riding on the fame of GOT to get those roles but she is just average actor at most.

Oddly, I was watching this film called "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" just a week ago on Amazon, there was one actress whom I had no idea who she was until I went online to find out it was "Zoe Kravitz", the daughter of singer/actor Lenny Kravitz that really just surprised me?!. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2368789/?ref_=tt_cl_t6

She had my full attention, not because she was beautiful to look at, but she had poise in how she moved so gracefully; I don't know for some reason I immediately thought of GOT and how she would be someone I would chosen to play "Daenerys ". I didn't even know Lenny Kravitz had a daughter?..but she really got something; that something can not be covered up with make up/wig or heavy British accent, its just gracefulness is something you either have it; like "Grace Kelly" or you don't; I am sorry "Emilia Clarke" doesn't have it but she tries so hard to pretend that she does, she was wrongly miscast for this show; again I am sure many of you who are hard core fans of her disagree but its the final season of this show and I still feel I can't stand watching the scenes with Emilia Clarke?

[–] RickSantoro (98) 5 years ago

Dude she's hot as hell

But I didn't read all that crapola. Don't have time for that.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

You are typical "Fanboy", do you know what a Fanboy is ?
a person who watches without thinking and all you care about is in your
typical dumb Fanboy reply: "Dude she's hot as hell"...Lol
As if that was the topic of my post was about how "hot" she was ?
but you as said it, you never read it and yet you call it "crapola"?
because you "Don't have time for that."
Yet you got triggered to post your dumb "Crapola" on my post?...Lol
Most Fanboys don't have time for anything other than watching TV or Porn and eating.
In your case I would say you probably don't date much either.

[–] RickSantoro (98) 5 years ago

Nope, you are the one who doesn't think while watching. If you did think you'd see how good she was

Stop wasting my time with your boring bs

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

You are wasting your own time by replying, do you know how DUMB you even sound?...Lol
You do have a choice of not replying but FANBOYS like you
can't help themselves when they are constantly bored
Get back to your Xbox Fanboy and stop reading people's BS on board its boring you

[–] RickSantoro (98) 5 years ago

Whatever noob. Go fap to Zoe Kravitz troll

[–] whynotwriteme (7127) 5 years ago

While we're on the subject of better casting choices, I have always been confident that Wilt Chamberlain would have made a far more convincing Tyrion than Peter Dinklage. I mean, Dinklage is a Dwarf, but does he really have anything else to commend him for the role?

Regarding Daenerys... If Zoe Kravitz represented the look of the Targaryens, then Jon Snow's true heritage would have been much more obvious, don't you think?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

David Dinklage? Who's he?

The former mayor of New York? Oh sorry, that's Dinkins.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I think what I meant bu Zoe Kravitz, was not about her look to be in heritage, I was referring to her acting and her poise, she has a certain presence that Clarke does not. I was only using Kravits as an example, I am sure there are other actors that they could have casted whom were just as unknown as Clarke but at least were more interesting to watch than Clarke, whose acting to me is flat, she is overacting, even though she is British but even her accent in the show is just way overboard English, I tell you this because I grew up in England.

As far as Peter Dinklage?. well, if you go through the entire cast of GOT, peter is the only American actor, with a British accent in the show. But the character of "Tyrion:" was a Dwarf in the book, so I think Dinklage is been great in this show and he pulled his own weight being surrounded by a British and European cast. The question I have is why is the books of American writer "George R.R. Martin", whom I consider brilliant as Tolkien, but why did his story got made with all British Cast as they did the Lord of the Rings films"? This is why yes, sometimes " Peter Dinklage's fake accent comes off kind of bad and out of place but he is a good actor, I saw him years ago in a film he played an attorney and he was great.

[–] chrisjdel (2714) 5 years ago

To those of us who haven't read George R.R. Martin's book series, Emilia Clarke is what Daenerys Targaryen looks and acts like. She strikes me as one of those people who has very strong emotions but exercises iron control over them, to keep from saying or doing impulsive things they'll regret. Dani definitely has a lot of her father's ruthlessness and lust for power. She's aware of this, and does her best to stifle it - which seems to have been her biggest reason for having Tyrion close by. But complaints over accents aside (and I've heard much more overdone British accents) what is she getting wrong with the character?

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

This post was about "Emilia Clarke" acting and being the wrong type for the role of " Daenerys Targaryen" and not about Daenerys Targaryen's role in the story of Martin's book series. You are mixing two different issues here?
I am aware of the character and that's fine, Daenerys Targaryen is suppose to be this or that in the story, etc....
Fine.
But the issue here is that ""Emilia Clarke" casting is just misfire, its not about the way she looks like the character; is her ACTING that is just so flat. And yes her accent is also is an issue?.
I grew up in UK and in Boarding school for 8 years and trust me I have spoken to my British friends in UK about GOT; they were the one who said it first they think Clarke wants to hammer the audience to know she is ENGLISH ; they don't say about other cast like "Lena Hedly" or "Sophie Turner", "Gwendoline Christie", just Clarke's intense annoying utterance that even to the Brits sounds like someone putting on a English accent when they are already British...Lol
That really comes from insecurity in her acting abilities.

Here is a comparison, another actress whom now would be my choice for Daenerys: "Margot Robbie" whom just recently did "Mary Queen of Scots", please; I urge you to go see that film and maybe see her other films too like "Tarzan" that is totally different, but here is a prime example of what is missing in Clarke's acting, its not something I can just type an essay on but its a just a demeanor that Clarke does not have or even know what it is.

[–] OldG (626) 5 years ago

Please do not encourage anybody to watch the atrocious movie Tarzan with Margot Robbie...

[–] chrisjdel (2714) 5 years ago

Agreed! There's a reason we haven't seen a Tarzan sequel.

As far as Emilia Clarke the only other movies I've seen her in are Terminator Gensiys and Solo. She strikes me as a decent actress, but not superstar quality. Her fellow castmate Lena Headey did a more convincing Sarah Connor; I think she must've watched T2 and studied Linda Hamilton's body language and speech mannerisms carefully in preparation because she totally nailed it.

As Clarke was essentially an unknown when she auditioned for the role of Daenerys Targaryen I think we can assume the way she portrays the character is what the show's producers were looking for. She had to read for the part along with many others. They had no other reason to pick her. When people thwart Dani's will in any way, or tell her no, you get the idea her first impulse is to have them killed - but she usually clamps down on that (with the occasional exception). My impression is of a naturally impulsive and emotionally volatile person who has learned to moderate herself, take a deep breath before responding, and present a cool even-tempered exterior no matter what might be going on in her head.

[–] SyphiliticHobbit (367) 5 years ago

LOTR had plenty of American actors, including by far the most important parts:

Frodo Baggins: Elijah Wood - American
Samwise Gamgee: Sean Astin - American
Aragorn I of Gondor: Viggo Mortensen - American

Dinklage isn't the only main cast member to be American. Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) was American and Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) is too. Oberyn actually went to my rival high school in Texas and I competed against him in swimming. He now lives in NYC and is active in fundraising for the Democratic Party.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

You are correct I forgot about Jason Momoa and Pedro Pascal who is actually among one of my favorite actors of today; he was great in Narcos, he was why I watched that show; his performance in GOT was among the most memorable in the entire show to date; but he is a Chilean-born /American actor, not that makes any difference. To me Pedro Pascal is what I call caliber actor; he reminds of the classic Hollywood actors like "Anthony Quinn".

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

bdw, I forgot to ask you who is "Wilt Chamberlain"?
I could not find him on IMDB either?
what film was he in?

[–] whynotwriteme (7127) 5 years ago

Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain was a seven-foot tall African-American basketball player who played for the Lakers in the late 60s and early 70s. He was like the Shaq of his day. He later played the character "Bombata" in the 1984 film, "Conan the Destroyer" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[–] SyphiliticHobbit (367) 5 years ago

I'm sorry you're getting a bunch of nonsense replies. I agree with you. Her casting is one of the few, maybe the only, significant misfire of the show. She's great at that quiet strength look she mastered in season 1 as she was passed around from Viserys to Drogo (which is how I expect she won the role), but as her character has grown her flaws as an actress have become more apparent. She's not terrible, but she is unremarkable.

Example A: Her face should have conveyed so much emotion when she told Sam she murdered his father and brother. A tinge of guilt, a resolute show of strength, a slight quiver of regret...something. But there's just nothing there. She's DOA regurgitating her lines. And when she tries to give these big sweeping speeches, it's not very convincing at all. She also makes Dany seem dumber and more angry than she is written.

It's a shame too. I think there wouldn't be such a divide about her character if the actress was stronger. Imagine an actress of Lena Headey's caliber in that role, holy smokes.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

" She also makes Dany seem dumber and more angry than she is written."
Thank you for your reply and just in this sentence you conveyed exactly the core issue of her acting. Clarke's entire demeanor in this character is just one pose with the same look; same reaction and its become so repetitious that is just makes you lose interest in the character. But again, I also the character of Dany is also becoming a very consumed in her agenda about the crown, you saw how she went off on Tyrion.

I also agree with your choice of someone like "Lena Headey's caliber" to play Dany, which again today's Hollywood is not about talent is about who you know. I don't have a very high opinion about the producers/Creators of this show, especially David Benioff, who just seems vain and if you listen how he goes over the show's story at the end of each week's episode is even clueless, these two found Martin and exploited these great books and if you watch some of the interviews with Martin; who does say that he was not always happy or approved of the cast or the way they change the story, but its too late now and this is how Hollywood /HBO got so much fame from this show, that no matter who you speak to who is a avid fan and say I don't like "Emilia Clarke" they just get offended?...because they are brainwashed to think these people who cast the actors actually know a lot about casting or film making. The more we go forward the less content we have in film's depth.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I think there was two scenes with "Daenerys" that echoed who she really is on the inside, one with Sansa where she comes to make peace and even holds Sansa's hand and the second Sansa brought up the future of the North, Daenerys's face changed as Sansa another threat to her quest to be the ruler of the 7 kingdoms. The same thing happened when Jon told her that he is the son of her brother who married a Lynna Stark, her immediate reaction of was this fear and threat of her not having the right to the thrown, and all that BS she told Sansa that she loves Jon was just an act, because if she really loved Jon then she would find joy in finding a family member to maybe join in ruling the kingdom. This is what I like about the writing of this show that Martin may make us the audience think that Daenerys could become a ruler, maybe a large part of the audience want her to be the Queen; ignoring all the signs of her greedy, selfish mean behavior aside; but I think and I predict she wont be and it may not be Jon either, because he doesn't even want it but it may end up being someone none of expected like Tyrion?..

[–] bohemianroxie (2471) 5 years ago

I think maybe you might be caught up in a personal preference and your preference is tall willowy women that you find appealing.
I do think Emilia Clarke has presence and charisma, and while Daenery is not my favorite character, I think she has aptly portrayed a frightened naive young girl's transformation into a stoic, coldly confident woman of power. I'm not a "hard core fan. I just think her performance works for me. I think she is meant to be arrogant now and has grown to be someone that has learned to stifle their feelings to be totally in control..
Was Daenerys written as a elegant and graceful Grace Kelly type? If so, I wasn't aware of it.

I am a big Lenny Kravitz fan and I do think he has a lot of chemistry but I have yet to see his daughter Zoe wow me with her charisma in anything I've seen. I will have to hand it to her mother, though. Lisa Bonet managed to nab the the 2 most charismatic men on the planet..The other one of them being Emilia Clarkes first GOT onscreen husband Jason Momoa.
After Daenerys tamed him they were very charming together.

[–] whynotwriteme (7127) 5 years ago

That means if the OP had their wish, Kravitz would have had to make out on screen with her stepdad.

[–] bohemianroxie (2471) 5 years ago

Do you think he made the connection deliberately ?😱

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I think you are missing the point or just trying to be silly?
My comparison of Zoe Kravitz was just her style of acting and her mannerism that made me think of her for that role and I wasn't thinking of actually being her in that role, but someone of " Keira Knightley" caliber and style of acting, I don't think Keira Knightley would be right for the role either and but Clarke does not even have a third of that kind of talent, she is just flat and very one dimensional as an ACTOR.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I am not caught up in " personal preference", I just don't think Clarke has any poise or grace, again its not about being like Grace Kelly either; she takes herself way too seriously on the screen and she was the same in Terminator and Solo". But you are entitled to you personal preference; I just find Clarke to be a miscast from the first season and that has never changed.

[–] bohemianroxie (2471) 5 years ago

I just don't see what "poise or grace" has to do with it anyway. But, of course, we all have our opinions and preferences .
Check out Emilia Clarke in something like "Me Before You"..She isn't the slightest graceful in that either and is quite the opposite... but she's adorable and charming and a 180 from her character in GOT.
In fact, Daerneys is like night and day to her real persona off screen.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

That's the inherent problem that you don't or can't "see" what "Poise or grace" has to do with it?..Lol
Here is a comparison, another actress whom now would be my choice for Daenerys: "Margot Robbie" whom just recently did "Mary Queen of Scots", please; I urge you to go see that film and maybe see her other films too like "Tarzan" that is totally different, but here is a prime example of what is missing in Clarke's acting, its not something I can just type an essay on it, but its a just a demeanor that Clarke lacks or even know what it is. It's not about charm is something you can only see and recognize if you know what it is, "Vanessa Redgrave" had that and I guess that poise and grace is just so foreign to the new generation today.

Anyway, you like Clarke, all the power to you, I really don't care, Don't want to have a debate about it with you either.

[–] bohemianroxie (2471) 5 years ago

I know who Margot Robbie is and I like her just fine. But I don't see her as Daernerys and I do think they were going for more of an unknown or lesser known for most of the cast which I think was the right play.

There are different types of actresses (since we're centering on women here) and I appreciate and like those differences.
Viva la difference..
If every actress must be "poised and graceful" for you then I guess that limits your viewing experience.If all actors were limited to one type than that would limit even more what we would see and relate to.
If you're referring to old Hollywood versus new Hollywood than I'd say my problem is mostly more with the writing and lack of originality and creativity then on the actors themselves.

And if everyone was one thing or another it would be boring like that episode Twilight Zone where everyone was required to pick one out of several body types when they came of age. All women statuesque and beautiful. All men tall dark and handsome.
Boring.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I don't think replying to you with any logic changes anything because you have your own version of "logic", however, this will my last reply to you because I really don't think you get the point or just want to rant and argue for the sake of being "right". This is not about me being right ; its my opinion about Emila Clarke as an actress in this role was wrong , along with two other films I saw her that I still could not see her as "Sarah Connor" in Terminator either, which proved to me she just sucks. But wait until GOT is over and let's how far Emila Clarke career will go, maybe few films or shows but she wont last another decade. She is riding this ticket of fame on the back of GOT but the real test is when you do an encore in years to follow?
To have a career like "Diana Rigg" (who played Olenna Tyrell) that expanded over 50 years is not something she got from her looks, her British accent or luck.

And please let me clarify something to you, I never said " every actress must be poised and graceful", you misunderstand the connotation of the word "poise" and grace" period. Also please don't think for me, because I don't expect a female actress to be statuesque and beautiful", those your words not mine.

But let me use some example of actresses in GOT that I never ever knew who they were and never questioned their ACTING from the moment their characters stepped into the screen, because I had not even seen any of them in any other shows to have a bias opinion about them either, with the exception of only "Lena Hedley" whom I NEVER liked her in anything I saw, I thought she is gets by on looks and just awful; but she Changed my mind in GOT; she fits the role and if you had met her in person; then you know why, but that's not something I want to discuss here. So here are the rest of the cast I consider perfect casting, whom have poise for the characters they are playing; whose performances have moved me from every time I watch GOT:

Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
Rose Leslie as Ygritte
Hannah Murray as Gilly
Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth
Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell
Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei
Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand
Carice van Houten as Melisandre
Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont
And
Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy Who is no beauty but she is among the best actors on this show and she has the poise and grace that you seem to fail and not get what I mean that Clarke lacks.

There is a great story about actor Spencer Tracy who told a joke to Paul Newman, about a guy who says I want to become an ACTOR, the Spencer said to him "great but don't get caught doing it". If you had ever studied acting or even read acting books like "acting is believing" then you can try and understand what Clarke is missing in her acting is not something I can tell someone like you or her FANBOY club who just see the silver wig, the British Accent, those stupid grins and poses she keeps repeating that has fooled the mass audience she is a "great".

Goodbye

[–] R_Kane (15828) 5 years ago

Brevity is the soul of wit.

You are witless.

[–] ATG6 (3000) 5 years ago

Why? She's got the self-entitled pouty millennial wanna-rule-the-world vibe down pat. And she was the most beautiful woman in Westeros (at least until Sansa grew up)/

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I think you said it best the key word "pouty millennial wanna-rule-the-world vibe" and that is the inherent issue in her acting from the start, and No I don't think she is "the most beautiful woman in Westeros " either, Sansa has a inner beauty, beauty is not what's on the exterior.

[–] JimmyStrudel (600) 5 years ago

She’s just not a very good actress. She’s clearly the weakest link in terms of acting ability in GoT when compared to her co-stars.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

Thanks I guess we are in the minority among the other replies I have been getting since I posted about this issue...Lol
I remember IMBD had a chat room a few years ago before it got so bad with people getting so personal and so verbally abusive about these actors; they don't even know as people, yet if I posted something about an actor/actress like "Gillian Anderson" that I recall, whom I can't stand and how her physical transformation made her into thinking she is just this amazing actress and getting parts in shows like "American Gods" with her Bowie and Monroe impersonations that was just hideous, but I got so many attacks from her FANBOY club that it was just a joke; where these people were angry at me for expressing my opinion, as if Gillian Anderson was their GOD..Lol.
IMDB finally shut it down their chat site and now some of those people are now here doing the same thing.

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 5 years ago

I agree that she wasn't ideal. IMO her acting chops are limited, I can think of worse choices.

But can you think of an actress that may have been better suited for that role?

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I can't think of an exact actress but I can only compare the caliber of someone like "Keira Knightley"style of acting for that role.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

I just thought of one person whom I think now would be my choice "Margot Robbie" from the film
Mary Queen of Scots; she has everything in her acting skills; very theatrical and full of range.
"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2328900/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 5 years ago

I've only seen her in Wolf of Wallstreet and definitely think she's the type of bombshell who could have made it rock for Dany, but I'll be sure to check out Mary Queen of Scots.

Clarke was cast when they re-shot the pilot. What do you think of the original casting choice Tamzin Merchant?

[–] TearofLys (2398) 5 years ago

I would think the vast majority would disagree with you on this. The image of Emila Clarke has become synonymous with the character Daenarys Targaryen. If there is a negative to Emila playing Daenarys, its how old Emila is. In the books, Dany is still a teenager, but Emilia is in her 30s, however, she pulls off younger quite well I think part of the success of the show is they usually do cast so well. Probably the only mistake IMO was Sibel Kikelli as Shay.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 5 years ago

Sibel is actually an actress in the adult entertainment industry, and that may well have influenced the decision to cast her as the prostitute who won Tyrion’s heart.

[–] Atarimaster (442) 5 years ago

Sibel is actually an actress in the adult entertainment industry

Not "is". Has been.
Almost a decade before she got hired for GoT. And in 2017, she guest starred in the German edition of Sesame Street.

[–] catsidhe (1649) 5 years ago

She was great in Head-On.

[–] Birdmant7 (202) 5 years ago

Thanks but if you read most the replies and my post carefully I already predicted the "Majority"
will disagree, but I am glad I am not part of the mass brain washed majority Fanboy club that seats there and
watches a show without questioning what I am watching. The whole problem is that yes " Emila Clarke has become synonymous with the character", but that does not mean she was the right fit, regardless if she can look like a teenager; the problem I have is with her bogus acting or overacting. I take Sibel Kikelli over Emila Clarke any day, because she never came off out of place but Clarke does.