Emilia Clarke, best known for taking part in Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, once feared her health battles would cost her the role. Seems, behind all those fiery scenes and epic speeches, she was battling two brain aneurysms. And nobody knew.
In a chat with the Big Issue, Clarke spilled the tea on what was really taking place while she was busy subjugating Westeros. Right after Season 1 wrapped in 2011, she had her first aneurysm. And her biggest fear was getting fired from the show. Yep, she thought producers would think she was too fragile for the brutal filming schedule.
“The primary fear all of us had was: ‘Oh my God, am I going to get fired? Am I going to get fired because they think I’m not able to completing the job?’” she said. Game of Thrones isn’t exactly a walk within the park — but her health scare wasn’t small either. The aneurysm led to a stroke and aphasia — a condition that left her unable to recall her own name.
Clarke said she was scared of losing the very thing that made her profession — her ability to speak. Still, while she was attempting to recuperate, Game of Thrones was already prepping for Season 2. The pressure was real. She felt as if she couldn’t sustain. Clarke even joked (type of): “Well, if I’m going to die, I higher die on live TV.”
And if that wasn’t enough, in 2013 doctors found one other aneurysm. This time, she needed surgery. And it was even rougher than the primary. When she woke up, her body and mind were drained. At one point, she told doctors she didn’t wish to go on — considering she might never act again.
But guess what? She did. The Hollywood beauty went back to work and finished all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. Fans never had a clue.
After surviving all that, Clarke didn’t just move on — she took motion. In 2019, she co-founded SameYou to support brain injury survivors. She desired to help others feel less alone. Now, she’s teaming up with Big Issue Recruit to assist individuals with health conditions find jobs.
Looking back, Clarke told PEOPLE in 2021 that all the things she went through totally modified how she sees life. “The comfortable moments and being comfortable is what you’re going to see in your deathbed,” she said. Today, Clarke continues to be each acting and advocating. What felt unattainable became her biggest strength — and now, she’s helping others fight their very own battles.
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