Emilia Clarke biography, boyfriend, age, photos, accents, height, GoT 2025

Emilia Clarke Biography

Emilia Clarke is a British stage and screen actress who shot to global fame after the premiere of "Game of Thrones", where she brought to life Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons. Whether Emilia can break free from this iconic role remains to be seen, but her filmography already includes major projects like "Terminator Genisys" and a "Star Wars" spin-off.

Childhood and Youth

Emilia Clarke (full name Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke) was born in bustling London but spent her childhood in Oxfordshire, a town about an hour's drive from the capital. She and her older brother Ben grew up surrounded by nature: "We had a stream in our garden, fields all around. We'd pick mushrooms and feed the ducks," the actress recalled.

Emilia describes her younger self as a "girly girl": her favorite childhood activity was dressing up in beautiful outfits, usually pink—a color that's almost disappeared from her wardrobe over the years. When asked to swear on something, she'd whisper, "I swear on Chanel!"—and everyone knew she was being completely serious.

Emilia Clarke's parents' determination is truly admirable: by the time his daughter was born, her father had worked his way up from a simple laborer to a sound producer overseeing famous musicals. Her mother started as a college secretary before becoming an independent entrepreneur.

As Emilia remembered, she first visited "dad at work" when she was just three. Usually noisy and restless, she sat mesmerized for two hours, watching the stage, and when the curtain fell, she clapped until her palms hurt. The backstage world captivated her so completely that she couldn't imagine life without theater.

From an early age, Emilia studied the craft of acting in the drama club at St. Edward's School, a boarding school in Oxford. Here she first took the stage, appearing in two full theatrical productions.

Emilia Clarke in her youth and the first season of "Game of Thrones"

Though, as the actress admits, she was hardly a child prodigy. At the premiere of her first production, five-year-old Clarke walked on stage and forgot her lines. Teachers in the front row tried prompting her, but Emilia just stood there in silence. She wasn't scared, though—quite the opposite, she was completely calm. "That feeling has sustained me throughout my entire career," Clarke says.

Her love for the arts set Emilia apart from other kids. Her peers either wanted lucrative careers as lawyers or dreamed of becoming professional athletes. The actress admitted she felt like an outsider and tried to fit in by befriending every student.

In 2004, after finishing school, Emilia Clarke returned to the capital to enroll at the Drama Centre London, where many famous actors trained, including Tom Hardy, Paul Bettany, and James McAvoy's wife Anne-Marie Duff.

Stage Debut

While still a student, Emilia Clarke landed significant roles at London's Drama Centre. In 2007, she took on the part of Anna Petrovna in an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "Wild Honey" (more widely known in CIS countries as "Platonov"). Critics and teachers raved about her acting debut, and before long, Emilia Clarke became a regular fixture in the theater company.

Emilia Clarke on the stage of London's Drama Centre

That same year, she scored the substantial role of Eliza Doolittle in a production of George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion". From that point on, directors started sending her scripts directly, competing to bring the young actress into their productions.

Productions featuring Emilia Clarke were wildly successful

Over the next two years, she appeared in eight different stage productions. Her standout performances during this period included roles in "Emilia Galotti", "Rise and Shine", and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". She also worked with two Russian directors: Oleg Miroshnikov on "The Government Inspector" and Vladimir Mirodan on "The Changeling" and "Hamlet".

Breaking Into Film

In 2009, Emilia Clarke made her first TV appearance with a small role as Saskia Mayer in the series "Doctors". While her television debut wasn't exactly a disaster, it didn't bring her any real recognition either.

Emilia Clarke's first screen role in the TV series "Doctors"

After graduating from the Drama Centre London in 2009, Emilia Clarke left London for Los Angeles. In the city of stars, she joined the Company of Angels, Hollywood's oldest nonprofit theater. Her first and only production there was "Sense", which earned positive reviews from critics.

Emilia Clarke in the production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

In early 2010, she took a brief break from theater and made another attempt at cracking the screen, signing on for "Triassic Attack". This time around, she played Savannah – a brave young woman forced to fight off suddenly reanimated dinosaurs.

Young Emilia Clarke on the set of "Triassic Attack"

"Game of Thrones"

In 2010, 24-year-old Emilia Clarke was sharing a small apartment with friends, juggling six different jobs just to cover rent, but she hadn't given up hope that one day she'd get an interesting offer.

And then it happened – one evening her phone rang. On the other end was her agent, who hit the young actress with stunning news: HBO was looking for someone to play Daenerys Targaryen in an adaptation of George R.R. Martin's novels, and the audition was tomorrow. "You have to be in 'Game of Thrones!'" her agent emphasized.

Emilia had no idea who she'd be playing for the demanding producers. First thing she did was jump on Wikipedia, and after reading the article, she knew – she had to go for it. The character promised to be one of the most compelling in the entire show.

Emilia's look was the complete opposite of what the casting managers were searching for. They needed a tall, thin, tanned blonde with a certain "mysteriousness" to her presence. Emilia was a fairly curvy, short brunette with an open, wide smile that ruled out any sense of mystery.

Still, during the audition, the casting director watched enthusiastically as she performed two monologues from the script. Afterward, he came up and said: "You're excellent. Let's see how you'd look with white hair instead of black." After she got the part, the costume team spent two months creating seven wigs in different shades before settling on ash-silver.

Tour the Game of Thrones Set with Emilia Clarke

"When I got this role, I nearly died of happiness," Emilia admitted. Before landing it, she'd already started thinking about trying her luck in another profession. Filming began, full of long flights, chaos, and new experiences – she was over the moon.

The silver-haired Daenerys Targaryen, as played by Emilia Clarke, looked stunning in any outfit: strolling through gardens in silk robes, riding horses in simple cloth garments, or completely nude for intimate scenes. But it wasn't just her striking appearance that won millions of viewers – Emilia's character captivated audiences with her selflessness, bravery, and remarkable ability to balance on the edge between cruelty and mercy.

The beautiful Daenerys Targaryen performed by Emilia Clarke

Though she had a body double available, Emilia chose to do the fully nude scenes herself. This decision brought a wave of criticism, especially from feminists who accused Clarke of promoting the objectification of women. Emilia disagreed with that view: "Feeling your sexuality... that's magnificent."

After two episodes, the actress signed a contract to film the second and third seasons. Directors and critics went wild for her performance and didn't hesitate to nominate her for every television award imaginable. By 2015, she'd added an Emmy and a Saturn Award to her collection – both for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series.

In real life, Emilia Clarke is a brunette

After wrapping the first season, Emilia started having health problems: nausea, dizziness, blood pressure spikes. She figured it was stress from the constant workload. But when her head started splitting with pain after a workout and her mind became foggy, she was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed a subarachnoid hemorrhage – a type of stroke caused by a brain aneurysm.

The three-hour surgery didn't require opening her skull, but Emilia developed speech and memory problems afterward – she couldn't even remember her own name. Doctors explained it was aphasia, a side effect of the operation. Clarke was terrified. Without clear speech, there was no acting career. She could lose everything she lived for. Fortunately, her speech returned after a week.

Due to an aneurysm, Emilia Clarke underwent three operations

The headaches didn't leave the actress right away. Filming the second season was the toughest of all. She had to not only work long hours but also talk to journalists, smile sweetly at fans, and kill the pain with morphine-based drugs.

Between shooting new seasons, Emilia appeared in two British films: the musical drama "Spike Island" (2012) and the comedy "Dom Hemingway" (2013), sharing the spotlight with Jude Law and Richard Grant.

In 2013, the headaches came back even stronger than before. After a brain scan, doctors admitted to Emilia that without another operation, she'd likely die. During surgery, her aneurysm ruptured. The pain was so intense that the actress woke up on the operating table mid-procedure. She was immediately prepped for a third surgery. This time they had to open her skull. Everything went well, and for several years now, Emilia's been feeling great.

Of course, major Hollywood directors took notice of Emilia Clarke. Despite her recent surgery, Emilia accepted the offer when she was cast as Sarah Connor in the epic action film "Terminator Genisys" in 2013. The actress worried she'd inevitably be compared to Linda Hamilton, her predecessor from the first two franchise installments, but those fears proved unfounded – she formed an organic creative partnership with both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jason Clarke (Emilia and Jason share a surname but aren't related).

In 2014, AskMen readers voted Emilia Clarke the most desirable woman on the planet. In 2015, Esquire named Clarke the sexiest woman alive.

In 2016, Emilia Clarke was busy filming season six of "Game of Thrones" while also working on "Me Before You" (alongside actor Sam Claflin) and "The Voice from the Stone". That same year, Emilia added to her Hampstead property by purchasing a California cottage on the Venice Beach coast for $4.5 million.

For her role in "Me Before You", Emilia Clarke gained weight

In 2017, Emilia Clarke's photo graced the cover of Rolling Stone, the influential music and pop culture magazine.

Emilia Clarke on the cover of Rolling Stone

In 2018, the actress appeared in the new "Star Wars" installment chronicling young Han Solo's origins. Emilia played Qi'ra, the main character's childhood friend. Her brother, a huge "Star Wars" fan, was most thrilled about this role.

Emilia Clarke in "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

Spring 2019 became memorable for "Game of Thrones" fans with the saga's final season. In season eight, Emilia had to face off against an army of the undead, sort things out with Jon Snow, and finally determine who would claim the Iron Throne of Westeros.

Emilia Clarke in the first and last seasons of "Game of Thrones"

"Where would I be without Game of Thrones? I don't know. Probably nowhere. I remember starting filming – I was 22, didn't know anything. But now – that's different," Emilia reflected nostalgically. But with the end of "Game of Thrones", HBO's most ambitious project, the actress's career didn't end. She turned 33 – her prime. Her filmography expanded with the holiday comedy "Last Christmas", where Emilia was joined by Emma Thompson and Henry Golding.

She was announced for the lead role in the drama "The Garden of Last Days", which Gerard Butler is producing. Currently, Emilia is the only confirmed cast member. According to the film's description, she'll play a stripper forced to bring her three-year-old daughter to work.

In 2022, the actress shot the Marvel superhero series "Secret Invasion." When the show hit screens in 2023, she played G'iah, daughter of Talos and Soren. Viewer reactions were mixed—the series landed at 52% on Rotten Tomatoes. Emilia herself said she had a blast filming, calling the final stunt scene "the best day of her life."

Emilia Clarke in a raincoat walking down the street, focused gaze ahead — Emilia Clarke on the set of "Secret Invasion"

Alongside the Marvel project, the sci-fi romance "The Pod Generation" came out. Emilia played Rachel, a woman who decides to carry her baby not inside her body but in a special pod. Her co-star was Chiwetel Ejiofor. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, she noted the film tackles female ambivalence: "The most radical feminist thought in this film is that women have the right to be uncertain."

Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor sitting in chairs, futuristic setting, scene from The Pod Generation — Scene from "The Pod Generation" trailer

In November 2023, Emilia received the Actress of the Year award at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards ceremony.

Emilia Clarke's Personal Life

Starting in September 2012, the actress dated well-known Hollywood director and animator Seth MacFarlane. Their relationship moved quickly, but in March 2013 the couple announced their split. Some journalists suggested the breakup was supposedly sparked by Emilia Clarke's romance with actor Kit Harington, famous for playing Jon Snow in "Game of Thrones".

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington's relationship was a favorite topic among curious fans for several years. They were often spotted together, chatting over coffee or walking the streets, and they'd show up together at industry events where the main cast was invited. The actors themselves denied the romance rumors; Emilia said the entire cast felt like family to her, and she was just as close with Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Richard Madden.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are good friends

In early April 2016, speculation about Daenerys and Jon Snow's relationship was finally put to rest: Kit Harington appeared in public with his "Game of Thrones" co-star Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte.

Emilia Clarke, Rose Leslie and Kit Harington on a walk

In October 2018, fans figured out Emilia's new boyfriend. The actress posted a photo to her personal blog showing "kissing" shadows on the sand—the same shot was posted by director Charlie McDowell, son of actor Malcolm McDowell.

Pictured: Emilia Clarke and Charlie McDowell

By February 2019, Emilia announced she and Charlie had split. According to sources close to Clarke, their relationship suffered from her demanding filming schedule. Charlie unfollowed Emilia on social media and deleted their photos together. When concerned fans asked him about it on Twitter, he responded: "It wasn't my decision," hinting that Clarke initiated the breakup.

That summer, Charlie started dating actress Lily Collins, and a week later, Emilia posted photos with Rose Leslie on her personal blog, writing that she and her friend were heading to India for an all-girls trip. She looked happy and clearly wasn't dwelling on the absence of a boyfriend in her life.

Emilia Clarke and Rose Leslie on vacation in India

In 2020, rumors surfaced that she'd started a new relationship, this time with Matt Smith, star of "Doctor Who". The pair were spotted on a date at Bob Bob Ricard restaurant in London, and later taking a walk together. Neither actor commented on the reports.

Shortly after, Emilia was spotted on several dates with Tom Turner. But apparently, the assistant director didn't manage to win the actress's heart.

In November 2024, Emilia was seen with DJ Sebastian "Bassi" Fox at a London party. But this relationship didn't work out either. By January 2025, The Sun reported that the couple had split after just four months together, realizing that "something wasn't right."

Emilia Clarke and Bassi Fox walking down the street in winter clothes — Emilia Clarke and Bassi Fox

Charity Work

In August 2017, Emilia joined the team at Open Doors, an organization that helps aspiring actors get auditions at drama schools.

In 2018, Emilia participated in Sean Penn's charity auction. Her lot offered the chance to watch an episode of "Game of Thrones" in her company. It sold for $120,000, with proceeds going to the J/P Pro and Disaster Relief funds. Both organizations help victims of natural disasters.

In 2019, the actress launched the charity Same You, which helps people with brain aneurysms. That September, she teamed up with YouTube creator Jacksepticeye for a livestream fundraiser. Their broadcast raised around $250,000, all of which went to Same You.

On February 21, 2024, Prince William personally presented Emilia and her mother Jennifer with the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle for their work with the Same You charity. After the ceremony, Emilia admitted she'd underestimated the magic of the moment: "His Royal Highness William was absolutely lovely and made us feel very comfortable."

Emilia Clarke Now

Summer 2024 brought the actress two major series deals at once. In July, news broke that Emilia Clarke landed the lead role in the crime drama "Criminal" for Amazon Prime Video. Her character Mallory is a bold thief with a complicated past.

A month later, Peacock announced production on the spy thriller "Ponies" with Emilia in the starring role. Filming kicked off in Budapest in February 2025. The series follows two secretaries at the American embassy in 1977 Moscow who become CIA operatives after their husbands die under mysterious circumstances.

Emilia Clarke in a white dress with paper texture posing for a photoshoot — Emilia Clarke in 2025

Meanwhile, Emilia's been working on Drake Doremus's sci-fi drama "The Life After This." The story centers on her character Ivy, a fixture in London's jazz scene, as she navigates parallel realities.

Emilia Clarke: latest news and articles

Wesley Stewart

I found on the internet a theatrical spectacle with the participation of Emilia Clarke. I`ll be honest, I really enjoyed her acting. This actress playing live-action much more interesting.

2021-04-11 17:35:20
Lisa Klein

In my opinion Emilia Clarke is very beautiful and charming actress and woman. I think she will have all the main roles in the future.

2021-03-21 17:41:34
Frederick Osborne

I thought that after `mother of dragons` Emilia Clarke barely can act something interesting. However her part in `Terminator Genisys` was a nice surprise.

2021-03-16 09:20:34
Wanda Schultz

I think Emilia Clarke should be blond again, she looks younger and prettier than with dark hair

2021-03-15 14:33:08
William White

Emilia Clarke still Daenerys from `A Game of Thrones` for me, in my opinion there are no more powerful roles yet

2021-02-25 13:55:17

Emilia Clarke

Photos: Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke Biography

Childhood and Youth

Stage Debut

Breaking Into Film

"Game of Thrones"

Emilia Clarke's Personal Life

Charity Work

Emilia Clarke Now

Emilia Clarke: latest news and articles

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