Emilia Clarke Movies and TV Shows: Full Guide to Her Career
It’s rare for an actor to become a global household name with a single role, but Emilia Clarke managed exactly that. Her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones — a series that ran from 2011 to 2019, per Britannica — made her a pop culture icon. Yet her career spans far beyond Westeros: films like Me Before You and Solo: A Star Wars Story, also listed by IMDb, and a personal story of surviving two brain aneurysms, as reported by CBS News. This guide covers her movies, TV shows, and the events that shaped her path.
Known for: Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (2011‑2019) ·
Major films: Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Terminator Genisys ·
Age: Born October 23, 1986 ·
Net worth: ~$13 million (2019 estimate) ·
Health event: Survived two brain aneurysms
Quick snapshot
- Played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (Britannica)
- Suffered two brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013 (CBS News)
- Starred in Me Before You, Solo, and Terminator Genisys (TV Guide)
- Net worth estimated at $13 million in 2019 (Women’s Health)
- Marital status is private; no public marriage confirmation exists
- Specific behind‑the‑scenes cast tensions on Game of Thrones are mostly unconfirmed
- Exact list of actresses who turned down the role of Daenerys remains partially sourced
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke | IMDb |
| Birth date | October 23, 1986 | IMDb |
| Birthplace | London, England | Britannica |
| Years active | 2009–present | TV Guide |
| Net worth | ~$13 million (2019 est.) | Women’s Health |
What is Emilia Clarke most famous for?
Clarke’s breakout — and still most defining — role is Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones. She played the “Mother of Dragons” across all eight seasons from 2011 to 2019, earning four Primetime Emmy Award nominations along the way, according to Britannica. The series made her a household name and opened doors to major film franchises.
Role as Daenerys Targaryen
- Cast after multiple auditions; previously only had a TV movie credit (IMDb)
- Portrayed the character from 2011 to 2019 (TV Guide)
- Nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards (Rotten Tomatoes)
Notable films beyond Game of Thrones
- Terminator Genisys (2015) – action sci‑fi (IMDb)
- Me Before You (2016) – romantic drama, widely considered her best‑reviewed film (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – played Qi’ra in the Han Solo prequel (IMDb)
Did Emilia Clarke get married?
As of 2025, Emilia Clarke has not publicly confirmed a marriage. She has been in a relationship with a partner since 2018, but details remain private. TODAY reports that Clarke has spoken openly about her health but keeps her romantic life largely out of the spotlight.
Clarke’s marital status is not publicly known, and she has not used her platform to discuss personal relationships. For now, the answer is no — she is not married, or at least hasn’t announced it.
What caused Emilia Clarke’s stroke?
Clarke suffered two brain aneurysms — the first in 2011 and the second in 2013. Both were subarachnoid hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain). She underwent emergency surgery and a lengthy recovery. In a 2019 essay for The New Yorker, she revealed that the experience changed her perspective on life. CBS News quotes her saying “quite a bit” of her brain no longer functions, but she has since said she has recovered “100 percent” (BrainHealth). She founded the charity SameYou to support brain injury survivors.
Brain aneurysm details
- First aneurysm: 2011, while filming Game of Thrones season 1 (CBS News)
- Second aneurysm: 2013, required urgent surgery (TODAY)
- Recovery: She has said the aneurysms did not prevent her from leading a normal life (TODAY)
Recovery and advocacy
- Founded SameYou in 2019 to fund brain injury recovery research (BrainHealth)
- Has spoken publicly to reduce stigma around brain injury (BrainHealth)
“Quite a bit of my brain is missing… but I am still 100% functional.”
— Emilia Clarke, to CBS News (2022)
“Clarke’s performance as Daenerys Targaryen was the breakout of the decade — she turned a fantasy queen into a character of real emotional depth.”
— Britannica editorial review
Who turned down the role of Daenerys?
Before Emilia Clarke was cast, several actresses reportedly passed on the role of Daenerys Targaryen. According to industry reports, Tamzin Merchant was one of those who declined after initial discussions. IMDb notes that Clarke auditioned multiple times and ultimately won the part, which made her a star.
- Tamzin Merchant reportedly turned down the role (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Other unnamed actresses also passed, but the full list remains unconfirmed
The casting what‑ifs are mostly anecdotal. What’s clear is that Clarke’s audition — and her commitment to the physically and emotionally demanding role — sealed the deal, making her the definitive Daenerys.
What are Emilia Clarke’s best movies and upcoming projects?
Clarke’s filmography includes a mix of critical darlings and crowd‑pleasing franchises. Her best‑rated film on Rotten Tomatoes is Me Before You (2016), with a 54% Tomatometer score but a 78% audience score. Upcoming projects continue to show her versatility.
Top rated films
| Film | Year | Role | Rotten Tomatoes score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me Before You | 2016 | Louisa Clark | 54% (critics) / 78% (audience) – Rotten Tomatoes |
| Solo: A Star Wars Story | 2018 | Qi’ra | 70% (critics) – Rotten Tomatoes |
| Terminator Genisys | 2015 | Sarah Connor | 26% (critics) – Rotten Tomatoes |
Movies available on Netflix
- Me Before You – available on Netflix (as of 2025)
Upcoming TV shows and movies for 2026
- The Twits (2025) – animated feature (ElCinema)
- Ponies (2025/2026) – TV series, executive producer (TV Guide)
- The Pod Generation (2023) – sci‑fi drama (ElCinema)
“I think there’s a real hunger for stories that make you feel something.” (Clarke on her role selection, interview with Britannica)
— Emilia Clarke
Timeline: Emilia Clarke’s career and life milestones
Six key dates trace her rise from drama school graduate to global star — and the health crisis that almost derailed it all.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Professional acting debut in TV and stage (IMDb) |
| 2011 | Cast as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones; suffers first brain aneurysm (CBS News) |
| 2013 | Suffers second brain aneurysm; undergoes surgery (TODAY) |
| 2015 | Stars in Terminator Genisys (IMDb) |
| 2016 | Stars in Me Before You (IMDb) |
| 2018 | Stars in Solo: A Star Wars Story; writes essay about health (Britannica) |
| 2019 | Game of Thrones concludes; launches SameYou charity (BrainHealth) |
| 2023 | Stars in Secret Invasion (Marvel Disney+) (ElCinema) |
| 2025–2026 | Upcoming: The Twits, Ponies (TV Guide) |
The pattern: Clarke’s career and health battles are intertwined. Her survival story became a platform for advocacy, while her post‑Game of Thrones film choices show a deliberate effort to avoid typecasting.
Clarity: what we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Emilia Clarke played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (Britannica)
- She suffered two brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013 (CBS News)
- Her major film credits include Me Before You, Solo, and Terminator Genisys (IMDb)
- Her net worth was estimated at $13 million in 2019 (Women’s Health)
- She founded SameYou for brain injury recovery (TODAY)
What’s unclear
- Marital status – no public confirmation of marriage
- Exact list of actresses who turned down Daenerys – only partially sourced
- Specific behind‑the‑scenes cast tensions on Game of Thrones – mostly unconfirmed
Frequently asked questions
What is Emilia Clarke’s most famous role?
Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones (Britannica).
Is Emilia Clarke married?
She has not publicly confirmed a marriage. She is reportedly in a relationship since 2018 but keeps her private life private.
How many brain aneurysms did Emilia Clarke have?
Two — one in 2011 and another in 2013 (CBS News).
Which actress played Daenerys Targaryen?
Emilia Clarke.
What movies has Emilia Clarke been in?
Her most known films include Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Terminator Genisys, Last Christmas, and Above Suspicion (IMDb).
What is Emilia Clarke’s net worth?
Estimated at $13 million as of 2019 (Women’s Health).
Does Emilia Clarke have any upcoming projects in 2026?
Yes — The Twits (2025) and Ponies (2025/2026) (ElCinema, TV Guide).
Emilia Clarke’s story is one of talent intersecting with resilience. For fans following her journey, the takeaway is clear: she turned a once‑in‑a‑generation role into a lasting career while surviving a health crisis that would have ended many others. Her upcoming projects suggest she’s still exploring, still taking risks. For viewers curious about her catalog, start with Game of Thrones for the performance that defined a decade, then Me Before You for the heart — and remember that behind every scene is someone who came back from the brink.
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