When people ask who plays mother of dragons in Game of Thrones, the name Emilia Clarke usually pops up instantly. But honestly? It almost didn't happen that way. Most fans don't realize that the iconic Daenerys Targaryen—the Breaker of Chains, the Unburnt, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea—was originally played by someone else entirely.
Tamzin Merchant, known for her roles in The Tudors and Carnival Row, actually filmed the original, un-aired pilot for HBO. She was the first Mother of Dragons. However, after the pilot was viewed by executives, a massive creative pivot occurred. The showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, decided they needed a different energy for the Silver Queen. Enter Emilia Clarke. She was a relatively unknown British actress at the time, freshly graduated from Drama Centre London and working several odd jobs just to pay the rent.
The transition from a struggling actor to a global icon didn't happen overnight. It was a grueling process. Clarke has often spoken about how she walked into the audition with a mix of nerves and a "nothing to lose" attitude. She even did the funky chicken and a robot dance during her final screen test to lighten the mood. It worked.
Finding the Mother of Dragons: Why Emilia Clarke Was the Perfect Fit
So, why did they choose her? When you look at who plays mother of dragons in Game of Thrones, you’re looking at an actress who had to balance extreme vulnerability with terrifying power. In the first season, Daenerys is basically a pawn. She's sold by her brother Viserys to Khal Drogo. Clarke played that fear with such wide-eyed sincerity that you couldn't help but root for her.
But then, the fire happened.
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That final scene of Season 1, where she emerges from the ashes of Drogo’s funeral pyre with three baby dragons, changed everything. It wasn't just movie magic; it was the birth of a cultural phenomenon. Clarke’s performance shifted from a timid girl to a messianic figure. This wasn't just "acting." It was a transformation that required a specific kind of internal steel. George R.R. Martin, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire books, has praised her ability to capture the nuance of a character who is essentially a child trying to rule an empire.
The physical demands were also insane. Clarke spent hours in the hair and makeup chair. That platinum blonde hair? Usually a wig. A very expensive, very delicate wig. She had to learn Dothraki and Valyrian, which are constructed languages with actual grammar rules. Imagine memorizing pages of dialogue that literally doesn't exist in the real world while standing in the middle of a Moroccan desert. It's intense.
The Survival of the Actress Behind the Icon
Behind the scenes, the story of who plays mother of dragons in Game of Thrones is even more dramatic than the show itself. In 2019, Clarke revealed a secret she had kept for nearly a decade. She suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms during the early seasons of the show.
The first happened right after Season 1 finished filming. She was at the gym, felt a massive headache, and collapsed. She underwent brain surgery and, for a while, couldn't even remember her own name. Think about that for a second. She had just become the face of the biggest show on TV and she was fighting for her life in a hospital bed.
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She went back to work. She filmed Season 2 while dealing with incredible pain and the fear of a second aneurysm, which did eventually happen later. This context changes how you watch her performance. When she’s standing on the walls of Qarth or leading her people through the Red Waste, that exhaustion and grit you see on screen? Part of it was very, very real. She used the role as a way to stay grounded. "The character saved me," she once told The New Yorker.
The Evolution of Daenerys Throughout Eight Seasons
Watching who plays mother of dragons in Game of Thrones evolve is like watching a masterclass in character progression. In the middle seasons, Clarke had to navigate the "Saviour" complex. In Meereen, Daenerys becomes a politician. It's a slower part of the show, but it’s where Clarke showed her range. She wasn't just shouting "Dracarys" and burning things; she was trying to figure out how to be a queen without being a tyrant.
The chemistry with other actors was vital too. Her scenes with Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) brought out a more intellectual side of the character. Her scenes with Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont) provided the emotional heartbeat. But the real challenge came in the final season.
The "Mad Queen" arc is still one of the most debated topics in television history. Whether you loved the ending or hated it, you can't deny that Clarke gave it her all. Playing a hero who slowly loses her mind because of grief, isolation, and betrayal is a tall order. She had to sell the idea that this woman, who we’d watched for ten years, would eventually burn King’s Landing to the ground.
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Why the Casting Still Matters Today
Even years after the series finale, the question of who plays mother of dragons in Game of Thrones remains a top search because the character has become a symbol. You see "Daenerys" or "Khaleesi" on t-shirts, in political protests, and even as a popular baby name (which some parents might regret after the final season, but hey, that's life).
Emilia Clarke’s portrayal is the benchmark. When the prequel series, House of the Dragon, was announced, every new Targaryen was immediately compared to her. Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy, who play Rhaenyra Targaryen, both had to find ways to honor the "Mother of Dragons" legacy while making the role their own. It’s a shadow that looms large over the entire fantasy genre.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Content Creators
If you are looking into the history of this casting or studying the impact of the Mother of Dragons, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the "Last Watch" Documentary: If you want to see the raw emotion of Emilia Clarke during the final table read, this HBO documentary is essential. It shows the human side of the massive production.
- Study the Language: Check out David J. Peterson's work. He’s the linguist who created the Dothraki and Valyrian languages. Understanding how Clarke had to deliver those lines adds a layer of appreciation for her craft.
- Support the Cause: Since her recovery, Emilia Clarke started a charity called SameYou. It focuses on neurorehabilitation for young people after brain injury. Supporting this is a great way to honor the real woman behind the dragon queen.
- Read the Books: To truly understand the difference between the actress and the source material, read A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. You’ll see exactly what Clarke brought to the table that wasn't on the page—specifically that warmth that made the character so beloved.
The legacy of the Mother of Dragons is tied forever to Emilia Clarke. She took a character that could have been a one-dimensional fantasy trope and turned her into a complex, tragic, and inspiring figure. She survived both on-screen betrayals and real-life medical crises, proving that sometimes, the person playing the hero is just as tough as the hero themselves.