Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke praises Game of Thrones' female characters

Star, who plays Daenerys Targaryen, says the female characters in the HBO drama have become stronger in season five

Press Association
Tuesday 7 April 2015 19.27 BST

Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has praised the show for creating female characters which “accept our femininity”.

The HBO drama, based on George RR Martin’s epic fantasy novels, has been a huge hit around the globe but has been accused of misogyny because of its depiction of sexual violence.

Clarke, who plays royal exile Daenerys Targaryen, told Radio Times magazine that the female characters had become stronger.

Emilia Clarke

She said of the new, fifth series: “You start to see all of the women in the show accepting who they are and embodying that with such power that it’s palpable.

“I think that’s the beauty of the show: as women, we accept our femininity and take strength from it, as opposed to trying to hide it and behave in a masculine way.”

Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, promised big changes in the new episodes, which are broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the UK.

Emilia Clarke at HBO’s Game of Thrones season five premiere.
Photograph: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

“When I say, ‘There’s a massive change in Game of Thrones’, I think it’s the first time I’ve actually meant it! People are going to think, ‘You go through a change every year!’

But this year it’s on a completely different level, and that’s why it’s so exciting. It sounds so broad, but actually ‘change’ is really, really specific,” she said.

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