Emilia Clarke wasn’t the first Daenerys in Game of Thrones– Here’s who played her before

When it comes to some of the most unforgettable and layered characters in the Game of Thrones series, many fans would take Emilia Clarke's name as she played Daenerys Targaryen. Known as the "Mother of Dragons", Daenerys is one of the last known survivors of House Targaryen.

Initially, Daenerys seems to be a shy and vulnerable young woman, forced into a marriage against her will. But as the show progresses, she finds her voice and rises to become a bold and fearless leader.

Emilia Clarke’s performance earned widespread praise for how she captured both Daenerys’s inner fire and emotional complexity. But what if we tell you Clarke wasn’t the first actress cast in the role? Yes, that's true.

In the original, unaired pilot of Game of Thrones, British actress Tamzin Merchant was the one who played Daenerys. The showrunners ended up changing several things from that early version of the episode, including recasting major characters and rethinking the look and feel of the show.

Replacing Merchant with Clarke was a big decision during the initial stage of the acclaimed series, and it successfully contributed to shaping how the character was received and remembered.

Even Mechant once shed light on this decision and explained how she actually didn't feel invested in playing Daenerys. Keep reading to learn what the actress said.

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Emilia Clarke wasn't the first choice to play Daenerys in Game of Thrones

Before Game of Thrones became a global hit with Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, British actress Tamzin Merchant had been cast to play the role. Back in 2009, when the first pilot was filmed, Merchant, fresh off her role in The Tudors, was chosen to play Daenerys and even filmed important scenes, including the character’s wedding night with Khal Drogo, played by Jason Momoa.

But something didn’t click. One major issue was that the on-screen connection between Merchant and Momoa felt flat, which was a problem because their characters’ bond is central to the early story.

On top of that, Tamzin Merchant had doubts about the role, but she had a great learning experience. In an interview with Zoom, the actress shared:

"It was an affirmation about listening to my instincts and following them, because I tried to back out of that situation and, during the contract process, I did back out."

Merchant continued:

"I was talked back into it by some persuasive people. Then I found myself naked and afraid in Morocco and riding a horse that was clearly much more excited to be there than I was."

Merchant said the whole situation taught her to trust her instincts. If her heart isn’t in a story, she’s learned it’s best not to do it—even if others pressure her. She admitted she didn’t have formal acting training, so she had to rely on what felt right to her. And Game of Thrones just didn’t feel right to her.

Producers and HBO executives noticed that the energy and chemistry just weren’t working. While they appreciated Merchant’s acting, it became clear she wasn’t the right fit.

That’s when Emilia Clarke was brought in to take over in Game of Thrones, and everything changed. Clarke’s passion for the role, along with her natural chemistry with Momoa, gave Daenerys the powerful presence fans would later fall in love with.

Also Read: Dark Winds Season 3 has two unexpected cameos with a cheeky reference to Game of Thrones delay

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Playing Daenerys helped Emilai Clark navigate a dark phase in her life

Emilia Clarke revealed that playing Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones helped her survive one of the darkest periods in her life. During the filming of seasons 2 and 3, Clarke suffered two serious brain aneurysms, a life-threatening condition.

The actress said:

"I've been lying about this for a number of years. Every time anyone was like, ‘Where do you get your strength?' I'm like, ‘Heavens, I have no idea.' But [my character] and I grew together and it's corny as hell, but she saved my life."

Clarke explained that the role was more than just acting—it saved her life. She and Daenerys "grew together," and that connection helped her mentally and emotionally heal. So, Game of Thrones wasn't just a career milestone but an important part of Emilia Clarke's life.

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Also Read: Which House of the Dragon character are you based on your MBTI

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