Ugh. In less than a week, now not one, but two newcomer shows from the 2026 TV schedule have been canceled after one season! We hadn't even finished mourning the cancellation of The Boroughs by Netflix, and now we must say goodbye to another one-season show. But this time, Peacock is the latest streaming service to add a great new show to the growing list of TV cancellations this year.

The Latest 2026 TV Cancellation By Peacock

Back in January, Peacock debuted a 1970s-set spy thriller and buddy comedy called PONIES (Persons Of No Interest) starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. The show follows Twila and Bea, who become CIA operatives at the American Embassy in Moscow, Russia after the mysterious deaths of their spy husbands. Sadly, the show has officially been canceled.

It's a big bummer the plug was pulled on this considering the Season 1 finale that left us with a ton of unanswered questions. Check out how Haley Lu Richardson responded to the news:

If anything is going to cheer one up, it's donuts – especially one's that state that Ponies is "4EVER". One of the show's co-creators, David Iserson, also commented on the cancellation with these words on Instagram:

In the statement, Iserson also encouraged people to check out the show with a Peacock subscription even though there are no plans for it to continue. He also shared "hope" to visit the series' characters again.

Why Peacock Pulling The Plug On Ponies Is Such A Bummer

Per Deadline's reporting of PONIES' cancellation, the decision likely came down to viewership numbers. But, those who did watch the show really liked it. It earned a lot of praise from critics and it also has an 83 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

When CinemaBlend spoke to the creators back in February, they expressed "anxiety" about whether the show would get picked up for Season 2, especially since they had big plans for the show past Season 1. As Iserson told us at the time:

SPOILERS AHEAD: The show ends with the revelation that Bea's husband Chris is alive and one of the other CIA operative's wives has been a KGB agent all along. Season 1 also ended with Bea and Twila with guns to their heads while the CIA offices are literally on fire. Now, fans of the show may have to always wonder what could have happened next.

PONIES definitely deserved another season to find its audience and answer our burning questions, but this type of move by streaming services is tragically becoming the new normal.

Emilia Clarke became one of the most recognizable TV stars in the world thanks to her beloved role on Game of Thrones. However, that kind of instant global fame apparently left her very little room to steer. Looking back now, 10 years after that, the actress says the first stretch of her career was defined less by choice than by readiness. According to her, when she began on GoT and was asked to do something, she answered with six simple words.

In a new interview with Hunger Magazine, Clarke reflected on the years after she broke out as Daenerys Targaryen and how her relationship to work has changed since then. The actress is moving into a more deliberate phase, with projects such as the 2026 TV schedule release Ponies, Next Life and the upcoming horror title When Darkness Loves Us pushing her in different directions. She discussed this in her life and the words she'd share on the Thrones set:

Those six words say a lot. “Yes, what time do I start?” sounds professional and eager, but also a little dizzying when you remember the scale of what she was saying yes to. Clarke was not just joining another TV show. She was becoming the Mother of Dragons, one of the faces of a series that swallowed pop culture whole. And despite its eighth and final controversial season, it's a series fans still return to time and again with an HBO Max subscription.

Clarke Is Choosing More Deliberately Now

That change is clear in how the Secret Invasion star talks about her recent work. She described Ponies as a project she initially thought would be light and fun, only to discover it was one of the most demanding jobs of her career. The series involved six months of filming, learning Russian and producing on the ground. Still, what stood out to her was being treated as a collaborator.

According to the actress, her new Peacock show was the first time she felt genuinely listened to, with her opinions not only heard but acted on. That is a big shift for someone who spent years inside massive franchise machinery.

Her film, Next Life, seems to represent a different kind of freedom. Clarke described the production as chaotic, with financing problems, casting changes and a compressed schedule. But she also called it “heaven” and said the improvisational process gave her a “spiritual awakening.” She even tattooed her character’s name, Ivy, on her forearm. That is not exactly casual workplace feedback.

The larger point is that the post-Thrones chapter for the Daenerys performer is not about chasing the biggest possible thing. It is about following instinct, even when the path is messy. As she explained:

That feels like the right move for someone who is known for such a massive pop culture role. You're never guaranteed tomorrows work, so, you might as well take on things that "speak to you" as a creative.

Fear Is No Longer Running The Show

One of the most interesting parts of the interview is how the Me Before You lead talks about fear. She said she is now drawn to things that terrify her, including When Darkness Loves Us, which marks her first step into horror. At first, she was scared of the material. Then she found the fear exciting.

That is a very different mindset from the one she described earlier in her career. It's a shift feels even more meaningful given what she has been through. Clarke survived two life-threatening brain aneurysms in her twenties, the first after filming the first season of Game of Thrones. She also lost her father to cancer. In the interview, she said she has only recently felt far enough away from those experiences to fully understand what they meant then and what they mean now.

Emilia Clarke says she no longer believes art only matters if it hurts. That may be the clearest sign of where she is now. The work can be challenging without being punishing. It can be serious without crushing her. Ten years ago, she was saying yes and asking when to show up. Now, she is choosing the jobs that unsettle, excite and move her.

Game of Thrones was quintessential water cooler talk during its run on TV, joining the ranks of HBO shows that got the world talking. But while the book to screen adaptation was a sensation, the GOT series finale was controversial. Some fans started a petition for the show to reshoot its final season, and Daenerys Targaryen actress Emilia Clark recently had a five-word response when asked if she'd be down to return and film another ending.

Those with a HBO Max subscription have been able to re-watch Game of Thrones' eights season, including that controversial series finale. Some of the fandom is still bummed about Dany's ending, where she went mad, burned down King's Landing, and was killed by Jon Snow. During a recent interview with CBS Mornings at the Tribeca Film Festival, Clarke was asked if she's return to Westeros for a redo. She responded promptly with:

Honestly, this made me chuckle. While she's kidding and said it with a laugh, these comments echo Dany's murderous ways from the final two Game of Thrones episodes. So it sounds like the Last Christmas actress is still defending her signature character. Although considering how long she played The Mother of Dragons, can you blame her?

Some fans might have assumed that the 39 year-old actress would be open to these hypothetical reshoots. Namely because the face Emilia Clarke made back in 2023 when asked if she liked the show' ending. Nowadays she's got jokes about the ongoing conversation over re-filming the show's finale, and is ready to see all of the characters die like hers.

Despite how some fans think about Season 8 of Game of Thrones, folks have jumped back into Westeros thanks to multiple spinoffs that have arrived on HBO. House of the Dragon Season 3 is about to start, and earlier this year we were treated to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which totally trolled the audience and the seriousness of the other shows. Alas, the discourse about the flagship series hasn't ended; Emilia Clarke is certainly still answering questions.

While I thought the petition to reshoot the entire eighth season was insulting to the hard-working writers that had been entertaining us for years, I see some of the criticism. Having Bran on the Iron Throne was a bold swing, and I noticed along with everyone that travel around Westeros suddenly moved much quicker. Still, I don't envy how the cast is still constantly asked about it.

House of the Dragon Season 3 will premiere on June 21st as part of the 2026 TV schedule. And fans can re-watch GOT in its entirely on HBO Max, complete with Dany's wild ending.

Emilia Clarke is a phenomenal actress who will forever be remembered for playing Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Not only is it considered one of the best peak TV era shows, but the British actress received four Emmy nominations for playing the Mother of Dragons. However, Clarke would be the first to admit that not every project she's done has been a hit. To that end, she didn’t exactly hold back on her Marvel and Star Wars gigs being negatively received. And I see where she’s coming from.

Critics and fans may have loved Game of Thrones’ epic run, but they didn’t exactly feel the same way with Emilia Clarke’s forays into other massive franchises. The London native was also cast in Terminator Genisys as Sarah Connor, joined the Star Wars universe via Solo: A Star Wars Story and scored a major role in Marvel’s Secret Invasion series. While none of those projects were highly praised, Clarke shared a refreshingly honest take with Variety:

There’s no denying that Solo underperformed at the box office, with its reception being worse than Disney anticipated. Also, the Rotten Tomatoes scores for every episode of Secret Invasion scream “yikes,” with numbers as high as 52% and as low as 10%. Terminator Genisys didn’t do any better, being one of the lowest-rated movies from the franchise at 26% and a box office bomb. However, Clarke admitted she was “relieved” of the movie’s underperformance if it meant not having to do another sequel.

Sometimes, the popularity of a franchise doesn't guarantee a film's success. At the same time, though, Clarke also explained about why she wouldn't let criticism or box office bombs get to her:

That’s a great way of looking at it. I’d like to believe it would have been more disappointing if Game of Thrones hadn’t done well, since Emilia Clarke and her cast were at the forefront of a new TV franchise inspired by George R.R. Martin's fantasy book series. So, all in all, the Star Wars, Terminator and the MCU franchises haven't defined Clarke's career, and I'd like to think she'll still get plenty of other offers down the road.

Fortunately, Emilia Clarke started the year right with the Peacock spy thriller series Ponies, which got strong reactions from critics in the best way. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the show is proof that the Emmy nominee does well with material where she can lead a project on her own terms.

The Me Before You star also has plenty of upcoming projects she’s revved up for. For example, not only does she star in the 2026 movie schedule release Next Life, but she’s also be the producer. Clarke will also be in the upcoming Amazon Prime crime series Criminals, in which Clarke plays an armed robber who's “all tits and gold chains.” Given Clarke's post-GoT work, I have a feeling Daenerys Targaryn won’t be the only memorable role in her filmography by the time her career is all said and done.

Of course, there's also still the chance that Emilia Clarke could land a role in yet another major IP. Whether or not she would accept, though, is unclear. Still, if anything, I’m glad Clarke doesn’t take the poor criticism of her past projects personally and that she continues to land work that highlights her exceptional acting skills.

Has any other series on the 2026 TV schedule had a more stellar soundtrack than Ponies? The Peacock spy thriller set in the 1970s takes advantage of a lot of the great music that was out at that time from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Billy Joel and Elton John for all kinds of great needle drop moments that have us wanting to dust up all the great records from the era. So, when CinemaBlend spoke to the show’s creators, they told us about making these moments happen, and specifically explained the one request Elton John had in regard to it. SPOILERS ahead.

How Elton John Became Such A Big Part Of Ponies, Per The Creators

Elton John has a big part in Ponies because the finale takes place during a fictional concert of his in Moscow in 1977 (though he did tour in the Soviet Union in 1979). Ponies creator David Iserson told us about what happened when they contacted John’s team to involve the icon in the series. In his words:

The 78-year-old has done about everything, from reaching EGOT status to writing the music for The Lion King and the 2019 biopic Rocketman depicting his life story. Lucky for Ponies, they were granted the use of three Elton John songs: “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” and the Live From Moscow versions of “Take Me To The Pilot” and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”.

The only thing that almost stood in their way was the depiction of Elton John in the finale, which ended up being played by unknown actor Alistair Mumford. Things all worked out in their favor, but for a moment, they were in the all-time great artist’s “hands” for approval.

How The Soundtrack Became Central To Ponies

Getting the thumbs up from Elton John is pretty groovy, but during our conversation with the showrunners, they also talked about why the soundtrack was such a big deal to the series. As Iserson explained:

If you’ve binged-watched Ponies like we have, you had to have noticed (and perhaps discovered) all the 1970s hits. I found it super interesting to learn the creators’ process to make the soundtrack an additional main character. As Iserson also added in our interview:

During our chat, the creators talked to us about the possibility of a Season 2 renewal as well. Should it happen, we’d look forward to even more great needle drops. You can check out the full Ponies soundtrack on Spotify right now.

Now that Ponies is an early favorite new series in the 2026 TV schedule, of course we’re impatiently waiting for the day the highly-rated spy thriller can continue. CinemaBlend just got to chat with the show’s creators about what they know about Season 2, and we’re more eager than ever. SPOILERS AHEAD!

I had a chance to chat with Susanna Fogel and David Iserson to dive into the new series. From their accounts of co-stars Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson having “slumber party” energy on set and calling the “challenge” of creating the Cold War-set series a “gift”, I’m not surprised they are as ready as I am to delve back into this world. Here’s what Iserson had to say when I asked for the latest update on whether the show will continue:

The Ponies finale left us with all sorts of questions Season 2 could answer, like what’s going to happen to Bea and Twila after being captured by the KGB and how Bea’s husband Chris is alive? The creators sound restless to get the official greenlight to get working on it, which is what fans will like to hear. As Iserson added in our interview:

One aspect of the finale we got into during the interview is the big interrogation scene Bea and Twila conduct with Andrei at the end. I brought up how I found the revelations interesting because I don’t trust the KGB agent, but Iserson made a big point, saying that “there's really not a lot of leverage [Andrei] can gain by just telling her something that isn't true” – which has my head turning about everything we don’t know regarding what’s been going on at the CIA.

Fogel said in the finale they wanted to “complicate the idea of a villain” and make its protagonists and audience question who’s the hero and who are the bad guys. Iserson also teased that they plan to “unpack” the other repercussions of what was revealed in the finale should Season 2 come to pass.

Between this new series joining other original shows like The Burbs, All Her Fault, Peacock’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the fact that I’m all in on reality series The Traitors, I’m rooting for this show to continue soon. We’re crossing our fingers with the creators that there's more Ponies to come!

SPOILERS are ahead for Ponies Season 1, now new on streaming.

I know we’re only a few weeks into the 2026 TV schedule, but I’m happy to say I can already say I’ve been impressed by a new series this year, and that's Ponies. I was only vaguely aware and curious about the show when I clicked play on the first episode. I was mostly drawn in by its leads, Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson (since I’ve really enjoyed both of their past projects), and the concept of two “persons of no interest” becoming spies.

Before I knew it, I had binged all eight episodes of Season 1, and my mouth was agape as I watched the final moments of the finale. Now, at the time of writing this, Ponies has been a huge success on Peacock between its viewership and critical reactions, but Season 2 has yet to be officially greenlit. We’ve only heard the creators tell Deadline they’re “ready to dive” in should they get the go ahead. While we wait for word, I feel like I’m literally hanging off a cliff over what happened during the finale. Let’s talk about the loose ends:

How Much Of What Andrei Said Was True?

The series ends with Bea (Clarke) and Twila (Richardson) finally rounding up the KGB’s Andrei Vasiliev to get some answers about their dead husbands. But while he’s tied up, they don’t get what they bargained for from him. Andrei drops a lot of bombs that conflict with a lot of information they’ve been gathering since they joined the CIA.

We’re going to get into much of the specifics throughout this article, but my first question is how truthful Andrei actually was being with them. Obviously he’s a KGB agent so Andrei lying would make sense, but in the world of spies and espionage, who can anyone really trust? I really want to know what part of his story is an actual revelation, and how much is manipulation.

What’s With The String Of Murdered Prostitutes?

Throughout the season, Twila is following a trail of murders around Moscow regarding prostitutes. I thought we landed on an answer since we saw Andrei kill one of them, and there’s a lot of compelling evidence that he’s a psycho killer. During his interrogation, he suggests that the CIA was actually responsible for Galyna’s murder. According to him, she was KGB and the CIA killed her and framed them. Again, this could be a big fat lie, but it does make me wonder if there’s more to the prostitute murders.

Who’s Side Is Sasha Really On?

That brings me to Galyna’s brother, Sasha. I really loved the relationship between Sasha and Bea throughout the season, and found myself completely on board with the pair running away to New York to see the Rockettes. The Season 1 finale left off with Sasha getting a major wound and being extracted by the CIA. While I was originally left wondering if he would simply live, now that I’ve seen the end of the episode, I’m left questioning if he was even on their side the entire time or not. I would be so heartbroken for Bea if he’s found out to be a bad guy next season.

What's Going On With Chris?

I mean, the biggest WTF of the season has to be the reveal that Bea’s husband, Chris, has been alive the whole time. Like, excuse me – after this woman risked her life just to find out why he died, he’s just hiding out somewhere? (Even Emilia Clarke broke her rib filming intimate scenes for the show!) I’m appalled.

Again, we return to Andrei’s suggestion that Chris was actually a double agent rather than Tom (as Vera told Twila). In the finale, we see that Chris is alive and has been reunited with Dane and Bea’s grandma. I’m not really sure where the show is going with the revelation that Chris is alive, but I have to know, as well as how Bea is going to react when she eventually finds out.

And, What's Cheryl's Backstory?

See what I mean about all my questions? Here’s another one: what’s going on with Ray’s wife Cheryl? It seems as though she’s KGB and might have been the mole the whole time. I didn’t see this coming, but it definitely makes more sense why she literally shot her nanny. That was weird.

I’d be curious to learn more about her backstory and why exactly she went to the other side. I think learning more about Cheryl as a character could be really interesting to dive into. Did she get bored of being a secretary and housewife, or did she play the long game with Ray somehow?

How The Heck Are Bea And Twila Going To Get Out Of This?

Alright, one more. and perhaps the most obvious of them all: I want to know what happens to Bea and Twila following the season finale. The last time we see them, they are in a burning building and being captured by Andrei and the KGB. I assume they are going to be captured and need to be saved by Dane and Ray. Or maybe they can find some way to outsmart Andrei or escape. Being inside the KGB is the biggest mess they’ve been in since the show started. It’s also pretty exciting from a viewer’s perspective because in Season 1, they’ve mostly completed missions separately.

Twila and Bea are so fun to watch together, and I found Ponies Season 1 to be such a compelling and twisty ride to go on. While watching it, I felt like I was watching something I haven’t really seen much of on TV. Sure, there are a lot of spy thrillers out there, but about the wives of CIA agents in the 1970s? It’s the kind of buddy comedy I didn’t know I was getting when I turned it on, but I'm so happy I did. Anyways, I hope you’re reading, Peacock, because that’s a lot of reasons I’m going to need Season 2!

It’s no surprise to hear from different actors that doing sex scenes comes with a healthy dose of awkwardness. Bridgerton’s Yerin Ha didn’t seem to love having to disrobe first thing in the morning for a full day of fake whoopee, and it sounds like Game of Thrones was a “frenzied mess” for Gemma Whelan without intimacy directors. Of all the behind-the-scenes stories I’ve heard, though, I wasn’t ready for Emilia Clarke talking about breaking a rib while filming sex scenes for Ponies.

New to the 2026 TV schedule, Ponies stars Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, who go undercover after their CIA operative husbands die under mysterious circumstances. For Clarke’s character Bea, that apparently involved getting close to a few guys, because while the actress laughed as she admitted she “really made out a bunch,” she also told The Wrap:

Wow, guys. Just wow. For one thing, I know sex scenes can be approached like stunt scenes, but I’d hope the risk of injury was far lower. I also hadn’t considered a filming schedule like that, where you just knock out all your sex scenes in one fell swoop. What a day at the office!

I also didn’t think Ponies was going to be up there with the most sexually explicit movies you can stream on Peacock, but it sounds like Emilia Clarke was really giving it her all. No other details regarding the “who” or “how” of the injury were disclosed, but Haley Lu Richardson confirmed it happened, saying:

What a thing to have to tell the doctor. The Game of Thrones alum said she was straightforward with her physician when they asked how she broke the rib, saying:

I mean, I guess that’ll do it.

When the White Lotus actress asked for a status update on how Emilia Clarke is healing, Clarke digressed to say it wasn’t all that bad, assuring her co-star:

Nooooo, now any mental picture I might have had of what that day looked like for Emilia Clarke and her three suitors has been replaced by images of ribs popping out. Thanks, guys.

Ponies, which is available to stream now with a Peacock subscription, has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response from critics, holding a Certified Fresh 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, as of this writing.

All eight episodes of its first season dropped at one time and, given the cliffhanger ending, many are already calling for more of Bea and Twila’s adventures. Hopefully, Emilia Clarke won’t have to sacrifice her ribcage again if that does happen.

I know I was late to the party when it came to watching Game of Thrones with an HBO Max subscription. In fact, I binge-watched it all a couple of years after it ended. So, I understand that not everyone has seen the hit fantasy series. However, I was shocked to learn that Emilia Clarke’s Ponies co-star Haley Lu Richardson had only seen one season of the show. Clarke was shocked to learn this, too, especially after realizing that while her fellow actor hadn’t seen much of GOT, she had seen its spinoff, House of the Dragon.

While Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson were promoting their new series on the 2026 TV schedule, Game of Thrones came up. That’s when The White Lotus actress admitted she’s only seen one season of it, while also opening up about the fact that she does watch House of the Dragon. The Daenerys actress truly had a priceless reaction in response, as you can see in the following back and forth they had during an interview with ET:

• Haley Lu Richardson: I only watched the first season of Game of Thrones. You know what, I have watched the spinoff.
• Emilia Clarke: You watched House of the Dragon, you’ve not seen Game of Thrones? Motherfucker! What? Can you believe that?
• Haley Lu Richardson: I know, this is actually mean of me.
• Emilia Clarke: What?!?
• Haley Lu Richardson: But the thing is…
• Emilia Clarke: I’m gonna bypass the one my friend is in?
• Haley Lu Richardson: I’m so sorry.
• Emilia Clarke: I’m joking, I’m joking.

Truly, it’s kind of wild to think that someone would watch House of the Dragon (which will return for Season 3 this year) without having seen Game of Thrones. However, it is a prequel, so it’s not like it’s illogical to watch it first.

Anyway, after that hilarious reaction from Clarke, Richardson said she should really go back and rewatch the HBO show that got the world talking. However, her co-star swiftly assured her that there’s no need to do that, explaining:

The Game of Thrones cast member is right, it is a commitment. However, despite its ending, I’d say it’s worth it. Plus, if Richardson likes House of the Dragon, she’ll likely enjoy its predecessor too.

Now, when Richardson asked if her co-star was mad about this, Clarke passionately said, “No!” So, there’s absolutely no bad blood. Truly, we went through a whole range of joking emotions here, and it’s utterly entertaining, as you can see in the video below:

Well, these two are a hoot! And now, while I hope Haley Lu Richardson is catching up on Game of Thrones, I’ll be checking out their new show with my Peacock subscription.

So far, Ponies’ reviews have been good, and people are calling this spy thriller “crazier than fiction.” For those who don’t know, this new series follows Clarke’s Bea and Richardson’s Twila, who take over their CIA husbands' jobs because they are Persons of No Interest (PONIs). Clearly, it’s nothing like Game of Thrones; however, it does seem like it’ll show off the actress's range much like the fantasy series did for Clarke.

Now, if you want to watch Ponies, the entire first season is available on Peacock. Meanwhile, if you are like Richardson and need to get caught up on Game of Thrones, you can stream it, House of the Dragon and the franchise’s newest spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, on HBO Max.

Shortly after its premiere, Game of Thrones became a HBO show that got the world talking. The popular book to screen adaptation was quintessential water cooler talk, and many fans re-watch its seven seasons with their HBO Max subscription. Members of the Game of Thrones cast remain synonymous with their roles years later, including both Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa. The two of them recently reunited, and fans are absolutely freaking out in the comments section.

While Game of Thrones' finale was controversial, there's still a ton of love for the show... especially the early seasons. Case in point: Clarke and Momoa reuniting backstage at The Kelly Clarkson Show (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription) and posting a photo on Instagram, quickly going viral in the process. You can check out the image of the two stars below:

How sweet is that? Despite how many years have passed since they starred in the first season of Game of Thrones together, it looks like Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa still have a ton of love for each other. And the adorable photo of the two stars has turned the heads of fans who loved seeing Dany and Khal Drogo back together via social media.

This post quickly started making the rounds online, leading to lots of enthusiastic responses in the comments section. Momoa himself led the call with his own sweet message, followed by plenty of Game of Thrones fans. You can read some popular responses below:

• Love u Khalessi ❤️❤️❤️❤️ miss u - prideofgypsies
• moon of my life🥹 - sofiadonosol
• Moon of my life 🌙 My sun & stars ☀️✨ *swoooooooons* - raiseherwild
• Crying in Dothraki - isachandra
• If she’s not calling you #MyDragonDaddy you’re not the one 😭😭😭😭 - nowayjose1689

Clearly GoT fans are pleased about seeing Khal Drogo and Khaleesi back together, even if its while promoting their various projects on The Kelly Clarkson Show. That's why the comments section is filled with folks repeating the couple's phrases like "moon of my life."

While Game of Thrones ended back in 2019, fans have recently been able to return to Westeros through a variety of spinoffs. First came House of the Dragon, which features the Targaryens warring with each other at the height of their power. And while some folks are keeping track of who has which dragon on that show, we'll soon be treated to another prequel: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Luckily our wait for that show is nearly over.

Game of Thrones is available to re-watch over on HBO Max and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere January 18th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Hopefully we get more sweet reunions from Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa soon.

Emilia Clarke will always be known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, and Haley Lu Richardson made quite an impression on Season 2 of The White Lotus as the assistant of the doomed Tanya McQuoid. In Ponies, however, which premiered Thursday on the 2026 TV schedule, the actresses portray characters who are, quite literally, of no interest. Let’s see what critics have to say about the new spy thriller, available to stream with a Peacock subscription.

Ponies is set in the 1970s in the Soviet Union, where the CIA husbands of Bea and Twila (Emilia Clark and Haley Lu Richardson, respectively) die under mysterious circumstances. The secretaries take over their job, expecting to excel as spies because they are Persons of No Interest (aka PONIs). Tania Hussain of Collider gives the series an 8 out of 10, writing that compelling scripts and striking performances already make this one of the most impressive new shows of 2026. The critic says:

Hope Sloop of Decider calls Ponies “exactly the kind of hilarious and heart-racing thriller the world needs now,” praising the way it (mostly) avoids the pitfalls and stereotypes that often plague women in spy thrillers. Sloop continues:

Kelly Lawler of USA TODAY gives it 3 out of 4 stars, calling the actresses “divine.” What Ponies lacks in gimmicks and flash, Lawler writes, it makes up for with rich warmth and good storytelling. The critic says:

Trent Moore of AV Club says the Peacock series falls tonally somewhere between The Americans and Burn Notice. The friendship between Bea and Twila is a joy to see grow, as they bond through their unique, shared experience. Moore says:

THR’s Angie Han finds things to like about Ponies, particularly Twila’s offbeat fashion, rich set designs and crowd-pleasing needle drops. However, the series overall falls short for Han, who writes:

Critics seem to be enjoying this eight-episode spy thriller overall, and it holds an early 92% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 12 reviews). If you want to see these beloved actresses in new roles, the entire first season of Ponies is available to stream now on Peacock.

Emilia Clarke went through the wringer during her eight seasons of Game of Thrones, with trials ranging from multiple brain aneurysms early on to getting used to doing so many nude scenes (with some help from Jason Momoa) to discovering that she should never Google herself. Now, nearly seven years after the series finale, she has opened up about something that really "pissed" her off about speaking Dothraki.

As fans may recall, Game of Thrones recruited a linguist to create Dothraki and High Valyrian as real languages that could be spoken on the show, and Emilia Clarke was the cast member who most frequently ended up speaking languages other than the Westerosi Common Tongue (a.k.a. English).

Ahead of the premiere of her new show in the 2026 TV schedule (which will be available streaming with a Peacock subscription), the Ponies actress spoke on Late Night with Seth Meyers about learning that she was considered bad at speaking Dothraki:

Considering how frequently Emilia Clarke had to speak Dothraki over the eight seasons of the show, who could blame her for feeling "really pissed" at reading the opinion that she sucked at the fictional language? She also makes a very good point. While there may be native speakers of Russian who have comments about her mastery (or lack thereof) of the language in Ponies, there is no real-life Dothraki civilization with a specific language. If Clarke wasn't nailing the ins and outs of the language, who would even know other than the creator?

That said, Game of Thrones linguist David J. Peterson got wind of Emilia Clarke's comments about what she read about her being bad at Dothraki, and responded in a statement to EW. He clarified:

Unless Emilia Clarke responds to the statement, we may never know what exactly she read in the article she cited or how it was framed, but at least the linguist has gone on the record in 2026 to compliment her "fine job" with Dothraki. It does make sense that Daenerys would be written to not exactly be perfect at it right off the bat, but I have to agree with Emilia Clarke that when it comes to a fake language, nobody is actually going to know whether or not a character is good at it based on grammar, vocabulary, or phrasing.

If you want to revisit Clarke's days of speaking Dothraki, High Valyrian, and the Common Tongue, you can find every episode of Game of Thrones streaming with an HBO Max subscription now. As somebody who convinced herself to rewatch the Game of Thrones finale for the five-year anniversary, I'll say that Dany's big speech switching between the three languages is one of Clarke's finest moments, even if it happened in one of the show's most disliked episodes.

For more High Valyrian, you can check out Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy's performances as royal Targaryens in House of the Dragon on HBO Max.

We're midway through the first month of the year, and it's been a strong start for all your favorite streaming services. There have already been some great movies hitting streaming this month, and weekly TV releases have kept us continually entertained. However, this week might be the best so far, as it brings us new entries in the Star Trek and Game of Thrones franchises as well as a new film that reunites longtime friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - January 15 (Paramount+)

The newest chapter in the growing Star Trek universe debuts this week. Spinning off from the events of Star Trek: Discovery, Starfleet Academy follows the reborn institution of higher learning in the 32nd century. It will introduce many new characters, as well as bring back some popular favorites like Robert Picardo’s Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager. Like all new Star Trek, you'll need a Paramount+ subscription to enjoy this one.

Ponies - January 15 (Peacock)

Set in the 1970s in the Soviet Union, and available with a Peacock subscription, Ponies stars Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke as the wives of two CIA agents. When they both die on the job, their wives pick up where their husbands left off, believing they will be excellent spies because they are Persons of No Interest.

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials - January 15 (Netflix)

Everybody knows the names of Agatha Christie’s most popular detectives, like Hercule Poror and Miss Marple, but fewer will be familiar with Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent, the amateur detective at the heart of two other Christie novels, one of which will be adapted this week if you've got a Netflix subscription. Brent will be portrayed by Mia McKenna-Bruce in a series written by Chris Chibnall of Broadchurch fame.

The Rip - January 16 (Netflix)

When Ben Affleck and Matt Damon get together, it’s almost always something special, and when you throw in a director like Joe Carnahan, the odds just shift in our favor big time. The Rip stars the former Good Will Hunting duo, as two members of a team of Miami cops who find a stash of money and decide to take it for themselves. As one might expect, this leads to distrust and betrayal both within the group as well as outside, as word of the heist gets out.

Phineas and Ferb Season 5 January 17 (Disney+)

There are still a few days left of summer vacation for the creative duo that is Phineas and Ferb, assuming, of course, you have a Disney+ subscription. Following a successful return with Season 4, the pair is back to come up with more ways to entertain themselves during vacation, while their pet platypus does battle with the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms - January 18 (HBO Max)

Game of Thrones may be over, but if HBO has anything to say about it, it will never be truly gone. The second prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, debuts this week on HBO and with an HBO Max subscription, and follows a knight and his squire, who are destined for greater things, as they go on various adventures through Westeros.

Game of Thrones fans may still debate the series finale into the 2025 TV schedule, but many can likely agree that the character with the most iconic look on the show was Daenerys Targaryen. White hair with braids? Snazzy outfits that expanded to include snazzy coats when she made it to wintery Westeros? Dragons swooping around her? Iconic. (You can stream the series now with an HBO Max subscription.) Actress Emilia Clarke wanted to take some of the awesome props home with her when filming wrapped, and she thought she was in luck until discovering that she'd been bamboozled.

The actress, who has also appeared in Star Wars and Marvel projects over the years to establish herself as a favorite within genre projects, appeared on BBC Radio 1 not too long after the series finale in 2019 to weigh in on what she took from the set when she finished her time as Dany... or, more specifically, what she didn't take from the set because she believed the studio had her covered. She said:

The Mother of Dragons would not stand for this treatment! Considering that Emilia Clarke went through terrifying brain aneurysms in the early seasons of the show and then went on to embrace the series so much that she bleached her hair for the final season and got a tattoo in honor of her character, she certainly deserved some souvenirs from set. (She did advise House of the Dragon actors against bleaching their hair Targaryen white.)

It's not clear what the studio would need all eight of her wigs and every double of her coat for after the series wrapped, but surely she could have taken one of each! The actress had to defend herself from accusations that she was responsible for the final season's infamous coffee cup gaffe. That alone should have earned her at least one of Dany's accessories.

Of course, Emilia Clarke revealed that the studio had bamboozled her several years ago, so it's possible that she has since been sent a wig and/or a coat of Dany's, if only because fans were vocally upset on her behalf. Even though the world of Westeros is continuing to expand on HBO with House of the Dragon and the upcoming Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the two spinoffs aren't exactly reusing all of the Daenerys props from Game of Thrones. Matt Smith may not love Daemon's wig for House of the Dragon, but that's not because it's a recycled hairpiece from Emilia Clarke's days.

I hope that Clarke has since been given some props, or that the studio gets a move on and sends her something. The six-year anniversary of the series finale was back in May; it's past time that the actress gets some mementoes from her time there. If she has fond memories despite enduring aneurysms and being pressured into early nude scenes, she should get at least something from her years on Game of Thrones.

Emilia Clarke’s role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones truly set her on the road to stardom early in her career. Despite the Mother of Dragons being just Clarke’s third acting credit, she ended up getting a ton of awards recognition and became one of the most iconic stars in all of television during the fantasy series' run on HBO. Now that it’s been five years since the finale, the British actress talks about realizing what she truly had with the award-winning series compared to most other roles.

The journey to land the Game of Thrones role of Daenerys Targaryen was not an easy one for Emilia Clarke. She entered the world of Westeros when the unsuccessful original pilot was already filmed. Following auditioning rounds in Soho and Los Angeles, executive producers were fighting for HBO to sign off on Clarke despite being an unknown actress at the time. After doing some insane moves like the chicken dance, the Primetime Emmy nominee nailed the role and became a member of House Targaryen.

It’s true that Emilia Clarke’s time flying with dragons has been long over. However, she chatted with People and reflected on her time on the HBO series and how “distance” gave her a greater appreciation for her experience:

Heading into a brand-new acting project undoubtedly brings a lot of uncertainty. History has shown that shows can get canceled despite a passionate fanbase. Fortunately, Game of Thrones received the best kind of news almost immediately, with a renewal for Season 2 just days after the premiere back in 2011. With the huge fanbase that followed, Emilia Clarke’s name was on the map and catapulted her career. Playing a role like Daenerys Targaryen showed audiences Clarke’s range, starting in the series as a delicate flower and becoming a force of nature over eight seasons.

The talented actress has said how it “means the world” to her that fans are still attached to Game of Thrones. After all, the popularity of the series led to Westeros continuing to grow on HBO with House of the Dragon’s third season starting production and another prequel series, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set to release sometime this year. Emilia Clarke admits that the more time has passed between filming Daenerys’ last scene and now, the more her heart stays with the show:

It was just as special for audiences to see Emilia Clarke shine bringing George R.R. Martin’s famed character to life. Even if the Magical Thinking Pictures founder will forever be remembered as Daenerys Targaryen, Clarke still had plenty to do outside of Game of Thrones. For example, she gave us feel-good vibes and tears in romances like Me Before You and Last Christmas.

The Terminator Genisys actress also joined the MCU with her next big TV series Secret Invasion and will be lending her voice in the 2025 Netflix movie The Twits. We need to keep our eye out for her upcoming crime drama series Criminal, set to be available on your Amazon Prime subscription soon.

Despite having moved on to other roles since her last episode of Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke had to “distance” herself away from the series to truly appreciate her time there. The love audiences still have for the Golden Globe-nominated series endures, and you can feel free to revisit Daenerys Targaryen and other Game of Thrones characters raising hell on your Max subscription.

Game of Thrones' fandom has continued in the years following the show ending, as fans of the books and show look forward to the release of House of the Dragon Season 3. Among the hype, HotD has also brought some attention back to the original cast of Game of Thrones, as people are still very interested in their lives after the show's conclusion. Some such cast members include Daenerys Targaryen actress, Emilia Clarke.

The Internet can be a bit of the Wild West when it comes to comments, and actors involved in highly watched and heavily talked about programs can often get the brunt end of that. And I'm not even getting into how Tik Tok and Youtube often host videos or promotional clips showing actors reacting to the things people have googled -- which is meant to open a dialogue about their experiences. Speaking about what people have said online on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Emilia Clarke was quoted saying people heavily scrutinized her and her body.

Clarke herself has been outwardly vocal about her experiences on and off of set. She has spoken out about some of the pressure she received when it came to the early Game of Thrones nudity scenes on the show. She has also shared details in the past about Jason Momoa coming to her aid when she didn't know what to expect about filming scenes sans clothing on a TV set. But it wasn't just stuff on set that happened that was really uncomfortable for her when she was still really young, or as she put it, basically still "a kid" filming Game of Thrones.

The success of HotD has reignited old discussions that were left over from its predecessor. This included conversations regarding the writing, pacing, violence, and as expected, the nudity and graphic nature of the show's content. While people like Clarke have found some fun and humor in filming nude scenes for the show, she also said it was necessary the show handled her character in the way it did.

During of the height of her success on GoT, Clarke felt anxious whenever she was approached for selfies with fans because of the public responses to her performance on the show. Clarke stated that looking at social media messed with her head, and she felt herself thinking negatively about her outward appearance. She stated that it kept her from entangling her self-worth with public perceptions. So, Clarke made the rule for herself to only do autographs and not google herself to minimize her anxiety.

While Emilia Clarke isn't the first actress of a major fandom to outwardly speak about the negative impacts the Internet has had on her mental health, thankfully she has found solutions that work for her so she can continue in the industry.

Sometimes, a character and a project come around that impacts the zeitgeist deeply, and when that happens, the role becomes permanently attached to an actor’s legacy. This list includes over 30 actors from some of the greatest movies and TV shows who will forever be remembered for one role. 

Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, Harry Potter 

While Daniel Radcliffe’s list of best movies is long and notable – with entries like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – he will always be known first and foremost as The Boy Who Lived. The actor took on the titular role of Harry Potter when he was 12 years old, and he’s the face of a franchise of movies that have raised countless people. So, while he is beloved for lots of things, nothing will ever be as big and prominent as his role in the Wizarding World.  

Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad and its cast truly took the world by storm, and the guys leading the charge, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, became certified legends because of it. It’s hard to separate Paul from Jesse Pinkman, and the impact he made with his fellow ensemble members in this incredible show.  

Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When you play one of the greatest TV characters of all time, obviously, it’ll be the thing you’re most remembered for. For Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’ll always be known as the legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer after playing the empowering and strong titular character for seven seasons in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. 

Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark, Iron Man

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, and yes, he’s well known for roles in other films, like Sherlock Holmes. However, when you single-handedly help successfully start a cinematic universe like the one Marvel has and star in nine of those projects, yes, you are going to be known for playing that character forever.

So, when it comes to RDJ’s legacy, his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be the thing he’s remembered forever for.  

Elijah Wood – Frodo, Lord of the Rings

Like Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter, so many grew up with Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings. His portrayal of the hobbit Frodo Baggins was incredibly impactful, and while he has gone on to play a variety of memorable roles, there’s no denying the power of the Rings. 

Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, Star Wars

You can’t talk about the late great Carrie Fisher and her career without mentioning Princess Leia and the Star Wars movies. She inspired a whole generation as her intelligent, stubborn and empowering princess, and the five films she was a part of helped define sci-fi in film. 

Leonard Nimoy – Spock, Star Trek

Live long and prosper, my friend. Forever and always the legendary Leonard Nimoy will be known for originating the role of the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in Star Trek. 

Christopher Reeve – Superman, Superman

Christopher Reeve’s legacy is rooted in him playing Superman in four films. Even the documentary that came out about his life in 2024 leans into his time playing Clark Kent, as it’s called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. 

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano, The Sopranos

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows on television, and James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is a major reason why. The actor won three Emmys for his performance in the series, and his name, face and voice are synonymous with the beloved HBO drama. 

Alicia Silverstone – Cher Horowitz, Clueless

When I think of Alicia Silverstone, I immediately think of Cher, because she is and always will be best known for her iconic performance in one of the best movies of the ‘90s, Clueless. 

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley, Alien

Sigourney Weaver changed the sci-fi game when she starred in Alien. Ellen Ripley is a magnificent and strong leading woman in this sci-fi horror flick, which in 1979, was not something we saw very often. 

Jim Parsons – Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

“Bazinga!” Will always follow Jim Parsons, and that’s because of his tenure playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor has four Emmys for playing the role, he starred in all 280 episodes of the comedy, and his character even inspired a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which came to an end in 2024 after its own seven-season run. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

The world was introduced to Kit Harington because of Game of Thrones, and he will always be remembered as the heroic Jon Snow. His role in the GOT cast was vital, and over the years, as we watched him battle it out at The Wall and work toward saving Westeros from winter, it was impossible not to fall for him. Now, while Harington has been in numerous other projects since then, it’s impossible not to think of him as this epic fantasy hero first. 

Emma Watson – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

These days, Emma Watson doesn’t act anymore, and she’s killing with her gin company Renais. However, she’ll also always be remembered as a wonderful actress who brought life to the beloved witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. 

The Entire Cast of Friends

Yes, the cast of Friends all went on to have successful careers after the NBC sitcom. However, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are best known as Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Monica, and they always will be, because they’re the ones with a hit TV show. 

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso, The Karate Kid

After three Karate Kid movies, and six seasons of its highly successful spinoff Cobra Kai, you’d be silly not to think that Ralph Macchio will always be remembered for playing Daniel LaRusso. 

Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor, The Terminator

Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. She’s beloved for portraying the protagonist in this sci-fi franchise, and she’s synonymous with this series that she starred in alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, Thor

While many Marvel actors have become synonymous with their characters, one who really stands out is Chris Hemsworth and Thor. Physically, the Australian actor perfectly embodies the God of Thunder, and throughout his time playing the character he added an unexpected sense of humor to the role – especially post-Thor: Ragnarok – that he’ll be remembered forever for. 

Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan, Twilight

Twilight, the debate about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob and Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan took over the zeitgeist between 2008-2012. To this day, while she’s gone on to star in incredible films like Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding, the role that made her a household name is one of the parts she’ll always be remembered for. 

Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best Joker, because of his commanding performance as the legendary Batman villain in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. This movie was also one of his last before his untimely death, and he won a posthumous Oscar for his incredible take on the infamous big bad. 

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown has made quite a few successful films, like the Enola Holmes movies. However, it’s undeniable that the role that will define her career is Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 when she started playing the mysterious super-powered human, and over the course of the show’s five-season run, both she and the ensemble of the Netflix series, have become pop culture icons because of the show. 

William Shatner – Captain Kirk, Star Trek

If you take a look at the four projects listed at the top of William Shatner’s IMDb page, all of them are Star Trek movies where he played Captain Kirk. The man starred in seven films and a long-running TV show as the beloved captain, so of course it’s what he’s best known for. 

Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly, Back to the Future

From Family Ties to Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox and his shows and movies were ‘80s staples. However, there’s no denying that the project he’ll always be remembered for is Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. To this day, the project is considered one of the best ‘80s movies, and Fox is still beloved for playing the charismatic, funny and heroic Marty McFly. 

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 

In the over two decades since Legally Blonde’s release, so many have been inspired to pursue their dreams and wear lots and lots of pink. That’s because Elle Woods truly left an amazing mark on the zeitgeist, and it’s because of Reese Witherspoon’s heartfelt, funny and preppy performance as the incredible lawyer-in-training. 

As Elle Woods would say, “What like it’s hard” to create one of the best characters and movies of the 2000s? 

Jon Hamm – Don Draper, Mad Men

While Jon Hamm is a wicked comedic actor, and he’s starred in a myriad of fun movies, nothing will ever come close to Mad Men. For 92 episodes, Hamm led the Mad Men cast as Don Draper – which he took an Emmy home for in 2015 – and he’ll always be recognized for playing the charismatic creative director of Sterling Cooper.

Judy Garland – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has raised generations of kids since 1939, and it’s still a family classic. So, when you lead a beloved musical like that, as Judy Garland did, and it remains relevant and loved for over eight decades, obviously, the role you’ll always be known for is that one. 

David Tennant – The Doctor, Doctor Who

While everyone who has played the titular timelord on Doctor Who is known for that role specifically, David Tennant is a fan-favorite Doctor, and it’s single-handedly the project he’s best known for. While he’s dabbled in many other critically acclaimed projects, like Good Omens and Broadchurch, he is and always will be the beloved actor who graced our screens as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors first and foremost. 

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it’s in part thanks to Anthony Hopkins' truly terrifying cannibal Hannibal Lecter. In fact, his character became so popular that it inspired three more movies and a TV show. 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw inspired many women to become writers, and I know she left many of us fantasizing about living out our lives in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker truly slayed the role, and her own sense of style and charismatic personality meshed perfectly with Carrie. Along with playing the writer in the OG series Sex and the City, SJP has also portrayed her in two movies and the series And Just Like That. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones 

Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, those are all the names Emilia Clarke’s dragon rider went by in Game of Thrones, and she gave an absolutely commanding performance as her. While her ending wasn’t what most wanted, there’s no denying how amazing it was to see Daenerys rise from a woman trying to survive to a powerful leader, and that’s because of how brilliant Clarke was in the role. 

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

He was the face of the original trilogy, and you can’t think about Star Wars without thinking about Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker. While the actor is well-known for other roles, especially in the world of voice acting, his most prominent part has to be this. 

Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman

Sadly, there aren’t many superhero movies led by women. However, luckily, we do have a few wonderful ones, and that includes Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. She played the beloved hero with so much grace, poise and strength, and she’ll 100% always be remembered for it. 

Obviously, while all these actors have played other prominent roles in well-known movies and shows, there’s no question that when we consider their legacies, these parts will be the first ones we think about. They’re that iconic, and we have these performers to thank for them. 

Emilia Clarke has had a brilliant run since kickstarting her acting career playing Daenerys Targaryen as part of the Game of Thrones cast. GOT was not her very first role, but it was the one that put her on the acting map; yet, the job may have been groundbreaking but it came with a bit of discomfort, too, particularly given Dany’s arc in Season 1. The good news? She got to film some of her most uncomfortable scenes with TV vet Jason Momoa, who was there to help navigate the sex and nudity appearing on HBO (now Max) required.

Clarke has spoken in the past about “feeling pressured” to perform naked for certain Daenerys Targaryen scenes. She’s always been clear Momoa was really there for her when she was still relatively new to Hollywood and didn’t know exactly how to navigate complex situations. But when she started filming the show, she didn’t feel super empowered to comment on what made her feel comfortable and what didn’t. Plus, she's spoken about how her role in Game of Thrones nearly didn’t pan out in the first place.

Emilia Clarke Really Had To Fight To Land The Daenerys Targaryen Role 

She told the Armchair Expert podcast the show had to really push to hire her at 23 and it was really touch and go. They’d already filmed the infamous unsuccessful original pilot and the actress was coming in “off the back” of that. She first met with “David, Dan, Carolyn Strauss and Frank Doelger in a little room in Soho” and auditioned for them. That wasn’t enough.

She then had to fly all the way to Los Angeles to put on a little show for HBO execs, and the whole thing was so unnerving that years later she told Dax Shepherd she “felt like [she] blacked out for the whole experience.” She said:

Clarke had read the books twice at this point preparing for the audition, so she already knew she didn’t quite fit George R.R. Martin’s idea of Daenerys, who was “tall” and “willowy.” She said the interview itself was in a big auditorium and she even did some insane stuff, like the chicken dance, so she was not sure she landed the role – particularly given she was such a newcomer in the industry and it was such a big role. But she nailed it.

Then she got the scripts.

Emilia Clarke On Meeting Jason Momoa And How He Helped Her

After landing the lead as Daenerys Targaryen, she realized that nudity was written into the script and required. Which was fine, but she also didn’t know how to advocate for herself or what was OK and not OK being new to the set. She specifically said it was “hard” and she was well aware she was “new to the game and realizing that in a hair’s breadth it could all disappear."

The good news? She had Jason Momoa -- whom she called a "seasoned" actor already at that point, to help her navigate what was and wasn't allowed on set. She said during the podcast that while she wasn't comfortable speaking out, it was her onscreen husband who came to her aid and was much more sensitive about the number of people who were around on set. He made sure she was set up, which she calls "fortunate" looking back:

The early scenes on the series are fairly faithful to George R.R. Martin’s written works (though characters like Ros don't exist), which means that Game of Thrones features plenty of nudity. Scenes where Dany deals with rape and weird moments with her brother are all part of a storyline intended to highlight how she takes control of her own narrative as a grown, powerful woman later on. But filming all of that on set is a very different experience, and Emilia Clarke said in the interview she didn’t feel “worthy of requiring anything” when the fantasy series was only the third time she’d been on a major set.

She's sort of hinted at feeling uncomfortable early on while filming before. She previously also told a story about why Dany has such good posture in the fantasy drama, revealing it's because she was terrified and her mom had asked her to sit up straight. She did what she was asked and it became a character trait that stuck.

Despite the worries and hiccups, her time on Thrones sounds like it was largely positive, and she's still championing her working relationship with Momoa years later. The actor still refers to her as his Game of Thrones wifey (which never stops being cute as heck). She noted it's really just a part of his overall personality to be as Momoa-y as possible. It's a case of what you see is exactly what you get.

Being vulnerable onscreen can be hard, particularly when you are new to Hollywood. These days Emilia Clarke is much more seasoned on set, and says she knows her way around a contract. Yet despite some trials with her HBO gig, there's clearly been some great stuff to come out of it too, including a career uptick and a friendship with one big bear of an actor.

HBO's Game of Thrones ran for eight legendary seasons, airing 73 episodes in total. The sprawling epic included dozens of storylines and even more characters. According to IMDB, 843 different actors appeared on the show, including these 32 who appeared in the most episodes. 

There are some surprising characters that don't appear on this list, like Ramsey Bolton (Iwan Rheon), his father Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton), Ollena Tyrell (Diane Rigg), and, of course, Ned Stark (Sean Bean), and Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), who didn't live long enough to be on it. 

Warning: Spoiler alerts of course! 

Tyrion Lannister - 67 Episodes

Peter Dinklage's character, Tyrion Lannister, appears in more episodes than any other character on Game of Thrones. The cleverest member of the Lannister clan appeared in 67 of the 73 episodes. He's introduced in the very first episode and makes it all the way to the last one. 

Cersei Lannister - 62 Episodes

The villain we all loved to hate, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) appeared in an amazing 62 episodes. For a character that was in the middle of all the palace intrigue, who made as many enemies as Cersei did, it's a wonder she made it as far as she did. Like her siblings, Cersei was introduced in the first episode of the show, and made it to the 72nd episode, when she was killed when the Red Keep collapsed on her and her brother Jaime. 

Daenerys Targaryen - 62 Episodes

Daenerys Targaryen's character arc from the meek sister of a pretender king to a strong leader to a bloodthirsty tyrant is one of the most controversial arcs in TV history. It all began in the first episode of the series and ended in the controversial final episode. Emilia Clarke's character was in a total of 62 episodes over that time. 

Jon Snow - 62 Episodes

The broody Jon Snow (Kit Harington), has one of the craziest storylines of the series, taking him from Winterfell to The Wall, to the Red Keep, and everywhere in between. Audiences met Jon in the first episode, along with the rest of the Starks, and he makes it all the way to the end. It might not have ended for Jon the way some people wanted, but at least he's alive at the show's conclusion. 

Sansa Stark - 59 Episodes

Another character with an insane story arc is Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). It unfolds over 59 episodes, starting with the first and ending with the last. She goes from a sweet summer child in the beginning, to one of the toughest and coldest leaders in The North by the end. Sansa has a brutal life over the course of the series, but it leads to somewhere great. 

Arya Stark - 59 Episodes

Viewers first met the second youngest Stark child, Arya (Maisie Williams), in the first episode when King Robert came to visit Winterfell. Through 59 episodes over all eight seasons, Arya turns into one of the best assassins in Westeros after her travels take her from her home up north, to King's Landing, to Braavos, and back again, finally ending up at Winterfell for one of the biggest moments of the series, when she takes out the Night King. 

Jaime Lannister - 55 Episodes

It's no surprise that Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is on this list, with 55 episodes. Jaime and his sister Cersei first appeared in the premiere, making quite a mark for the things he would do for love. He also has one of the least satisfying story arcs, after ditching Lady Brienne to return to his toxic relationship with his sister. The Kingslayer almost finds redemption before giving it all up for misguided love. 

Jorah Mormont - 52 Episodes

Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), Daenerys' faithful guard makes it 52 episodes in Game of Thrones. He appears by his queen's side in the first episode and through eight seasons of ups and downs, including a long banishment from Daenerys' Queens Guard. In the end, Jorah gets the noble death he deserves in the second episode of Season 8, defending the Mother of Dragons in the Battle of Winterfell against the White Walkers.

Samwell Tarly - 48 Episodes

Jon Snow's most loyal companion is Samwell Tarly (John Bradley). Jon meets Sam at Castle Black in the fourth episode of Season 1 and they remain the best of friends until the end. After a journey that takes him all over Westeros, Sam makes it to the end of the final episode. 

Theon Greyjoy - 47 Episodes

Possibly no one had a rougher time in Game of Thrones than Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen). That's not to say he didn't deserve some of the unspeakable things that happened to him, as he was pretty awful from the time we met in the first episode until he finally redeems himself in Season 8. Like so many others, Theon falls at the Battle of Winterfell after defending Bran for as long as he can. Theon made it a total of 47 episodes. 

Varys - 46 Episodes

Lord Varys, the Spider, played by Conleth Hill, is always lurking in the shadows. For 46 episodes of Game of Thrones, he is mixing things up behind the scenes. Audiences first meet the Master of Whisperers when Ned Stark attends his first small council meeting in Episode 3 of Season 1. Varys is still helping make decisions for the realm in the final episode of the series. 

Davos Seaworth - 42 Episodes

Ser Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), the pirate-turned-knight is a fan favorite who first appeared in Episode 1 of Season 2 as an advisor to Stannis Baratheon. Though he comes from humble beginnings, he rises all the way to Master of Ships under King Bran in the final episode of the show. 

Brienne Of Tarth - 42 Episodes

One of the most noble people in all of Westeros is Brienne of Tarth, played by Gwendoline Christie. We don't meet Brienne until Episode 3 of Season 2, but from there, she becomes a key character in a number of different stories. She has one of the most satisfying conclusions when she is named Commander of the King's Guard in the final episode. 

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish - 41 Episodes

Aidan Gillen's character, Petyr Baelish, better known by his nickname, Littlefinger, plays a massive role in the battle for the throne throughout the series. As Master of Coin, viewers first meet Littlefinger in Episode 3 of Season 1. Though he puts himself in danger a number of times with his conniving actions, he makes it 42 episodes, before dying at the hands of Arya in the Season 7 finale.   

Bran Stark - 40 Episodes

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) plays one of the most pivotal roles throughout the run of Game of Thrones. In a way, he is responsible for everything that happens after he is thrown from the window by Jaime at the end of the very first episode, and in the end, it's Bran that becomes King at the end of the series, which surprised most fans of the show.

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane - 38 Episodes

Rory McCann's portrayal of Sandor "The Hound" Clegane is one of the best on the show. He's funny, tough, scary, and sometimes, even kind. It's a hard line to walk for an actor and McCann does it brilliantly for 38 episodes, from the first in the series until the second-to-last episode when he dies with his brother, The Mountain. 

Missandei - 38 Episodes 

Daenerys Targaryen's righthand woman, Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), is one of the most loyal people on the show, serving Dany as both an advisor and a good friend. Fans first meet Missandei in the first episode of Season 3 and watch her through 38 episodes, until she is killed on Cersei's order in Episode 4 of Season 8.

Bronn - 37 Episodes

Jerome Flynn's Bronn is the ultimate survivor. While he's a sellsword when we first meet him, when he fights as Tyrion's champion for his trial by combat at the Eyrie in Episode 4 of Season 1, he ends up a high lord and Master of Coin by the end of the series after appearing in 37 episodes, right down to the final one. 

Podrick Payne - 35 Episodes

Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman) is a ladies' man, which is one of the funniest recurring jokes on Game of Thrones. He's also a loyal squire to Brienne until he is promoted to the Kingsguard in the final episode. The popular Podrick appears in 35 episodes in total, from Episode 2 of Season 2, until the end. 

Grey Worm - 34 Episodes

Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) is the former slave, freed by Dany, and becomes Dany's most loyal soldier. He appears in a total of 34 episodes, starting in Season 3 and making it to the final episode and living to see another day. 

Eddison Tollett - 34 Episodes

Viewers first meet Eddison Tollett (Ben Crompton) in Episode 1 of Season 2 as a member of the Night's Watch. Always faithful to Jon Snow, Edd is a key member of the watch, though not a major character in the show. Still, he appears in 34 episodes, until his death at the Battle of Winterfell in Season 8.

Tormund Giantsbane - 33 Episodes

Everyone's favorite Wildling warrior, Tormund, played by Kristofer Hivju, appears in 33 episodes. We meet him later in the series, in Episode 1 of Season 3, but luckily for everyone, he makes it to the end, traveling with Jon Snow north of what's left of The Wall to live with the other Wildlings. 

Grand Maester Pycelle - 31 Episodes

Grand Maester Pycelle, played by the great Julian Glover, is a weaseling character, loyal to the Lannisters. That is, until he is betrayed by Cersei and her defrocked Maester, Qyburn. Still, he appears in 31 episodes from Season 1 until his death in Season 6. 

Melisandre - 29 Episodes

As despicable as Melisandre (Carice van Houten) is, it's remarkable that she survives until Season 8. Appearing in a total of 29 episodes, the Red Woman's allegiances change a couple of times, though nothing will ever excuse what she did to Stannis' daughter. 

Tywin Lannister - 27 Episodes

Charles Dance's performance as Tywin Lannister is one of the best in all of Game Of Thrones. Over 27 episodes from Season 1 through his death in the privy in Season 8, Tywin is a villain everyone loves to hate. 

Gilly - 27 Episodes

Gilly (Hannah Murray) is one of the most sympathetic characters in the brutal world of Games of Thrones. The former Wildling daughter/wife of Craster escapes with Sam and her son and they survive together until the very end of show. Gilly appears in 27 episodes from Season 2 through the finale. 

Margaery Tyrell - 26 Episodes

Margaery Tyrell, played by Natalie Dormer, is a polarizing character in Game of Thrones. She has a knack for playing the game well and married not one, but two kings throughout her 26-episode run between Seasons 1 and 6, but ultimately she is outplayed by Cersei when she is killed in the Sept of Baelor explosion. 

Joffrey Baratheon - 26 episodes

There is no question that Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) is one of the greatest villains on Game of Thrones and in TV history. Almost from the moment audiences met him in the first episode, we hated him. That hatred only grew over the next 26 episodes that he appears in, until finally, we all get what we wanted when he is poisoned at his own wedding. 

Catelyn Stark - 25 episodes

Maybe the most tragic character on Game of Thrones is Stark matriarch Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley). She sees her husband die, her daughter held hostage, and her son Robb die. It's all too much for her take by the end of her 25-episode arc when she dies at the Red Wedding, after being introduced in the fist episode. 

Barristan Selmy - 25 episodes

Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney) is another close advisor to Dany. Though not as close to her as Jorah, he's still an important member of her Queen's Guard after his banishment from Joffrey's Kings Guard. His run lasted for 25 episodes until he is killed helping Grey Worm against the Sons of the Harpy.

Gregor "The Mountain" Clagane - 24 Episodes

Sandor Cleagane's brother, Gregor "The Mountain" Cleagane, is a knight of few words. Eventually, after his poisoning in a trial by combat, he's a man of no words. He's still one of the most fearsome knights in the realm. Three different actors played The Mountain throughout the 24 episodes he appeared in, Conan Stevens (Season 1) Ian Whyte (Season 2), and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Seasons 4-8).

Gendry Baratheon - 24 Episodes

Although we meet the illegitimate son of King Robert, Gendry (Joe Dempsie) in Season 1, his character arc takes him in and out of the series, and despite appearing in seven of the eight seasons, he only shows up in 24 episodes. 

There are a handful of characters that just missed the cut here, like Ramsey Bolton, Robb Stark, and Stannis Baratheon, and a whole lot more fan favorites that are way down the list because they appeared in far fewer shows than you'd guess. But these are the characters that appeared the most. 

Bridgerton offers those with a Netflix subscription so many things to adore. There’s all the Regency intrigue, wondrous love stories, glamorous costumes, complicated family and friendship dynamics, crackling dialogue and can’t-stop-watching characters. In all honesty, though, this writer would be remiss if she did not also mention, ahem…those bangin’ hot sex scenes, y’all! Seeing as how we’re getting ever closer to Bridgerton Season 3 and the love story that will finally bring Penelope and Colin together in true #Polin fashion, star Nicola Coughlan asked for a “PG version” of the episodes to watch with her mom, and it’s giving me serious Emilia Clarke on Game of Thrones vibes.

What Did Nicola Coughlan Say About Wanting A PG Version Of Bridgerton Season 3?

Obviously, the sex scenes in each season of Bridgerton have inspired lots of conversations among viewers. Season 1 had that Taylor Swift scored sex-a-thon between Daphne and Simon, and Season 2 brought us a surprising lack of intimate moments that left some fans frustrated and made others enjoy the slow burn romance more than what we saw in the first season. 

From what we’ve heard so far, Season 3 won’t be short of happily horizontal times, so when asked by Today FM recently if she’d be watching the season with family, Penelope’s portrayer, Nicola Coughlan, said:

Welllll, this makes more than a lot of sense, doesn’t it? By now, her mom probably understands that her darling little daughter will be getting naughty on screen for the upcoming season, but there’s really no reason to watch those scenes with the parental units if it’s not absolutely necessary. And, by “absolutely necessary” I do mean to stop an apocalypse or something, OK?

After the first season of the romantic hit took the world by storm, star Regé-Jean Page talked about the familial response to his hot-n-bothered scenes, but he wasn’t watching with his folks. You know who did watch a nude scene with her parents and quickly regretted it? Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke.

What Did Emilia Clarke Say About Watching One Of Her Game Of Thrones Nude Scenes With Her Parents?

The former Daenerys Targaryen has said plenty about doing nudity and sex scenes in the past, including talking about how she felt pressured into doing them on GOT Season 1. However, she did reveal that she watched at least one of her nude scenes while her parents were in the room with her, and well, take a look at what she said:

Oh, Emilia. Poor, sweet, naive Emilia…At least Coughlan seems to have learned what a mistake that could be just in time, and continued by admitting her PG version will definitely mean a shorter run time:

So, now that we know Coughlan is all set with a less bangtastic version of Season 3 to watch with her mother, who else is ready to see Colin and Penelope finally get down? 

Bridgerton Season 3 debuts on May 16.

When it comes to those channels that we all need to pay a little extra for – such as Showtime, Starz, etc. – they all seem to produce some of the absolute best shows. But you want to know which channel I think has made stars even bigger? HBO. 

The channel, which stands for 'Home Box Office,' has produced some of the best TV shows of the last twenty or so years, and with that, several actors and actresses have come and gone and left their mark, earning plenty of awards recognition for their work in the shows. Today, we'll be going over 32 of them. 

Emilia Clarke (Game Of Thrones)

Of the Game of Thrones cast, Emilia Clarke probably became one of the most-known actresses in the world after her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen. On the show for the entirety of its eight seasons, Clarke earned plenty of awards recognition and was nominated several times for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the show, including her last nomination in the Lead Actress category. 

Jonathan Groff (Looking)

While Jonathan Groff never earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role in the LGBTQ+ show Looking, he did win plenty of other awards for his time on the show. Groff is known to be a triple threat with his acting, singing, and dancing talents. He was even a part of the original Hamilton cast, but his starring role in Looking brought on plenty of recognition.

Zendaya (Euphoria)

The Euphoria cast is filled with talent, but let's be honest – Zendaya is the main star we're all looking towards. Nominated several times for the show for a Primetime Emmy, Euphoria has taken this once Disney Channel star and given her the chance to show off her incredible acting skills, one I'm sure she'll continue to do. 

Peter Dinklage (Game Of Thrones)

Peter Dinklage has been around in movies and TV for some time, but everyone recognizes him as Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones, a performance he did for eight show seasons. Out of the entire cast, Dinklage was the one to be nominated for the most Primetime Emmys – and he won four times. 

Lena Dunham (Girls)

Girls lasted for six seasons and gave plenty of stars shining lights, such as Allison Williams, Adam Driver, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and more, but Lena Dunham was certainly the award-winner of the group. The actress, who also created the comedy for HBO, earned several nominations at the Primetime Emmys, the Golden Globes, and more. 

Tony Hale (Veep)

The Veep cast is highly talented, and Tony Hale is just one of many. And his role as Gary Walsh in Veep is undoubtedly one of his best. Among several other awards that he was nominated for this role, he won the Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series twice before the series ended. 

Bill Hader (Barry)

This show – especially Barry Season 4 – was a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end, and Bill Hader's performance has been hailed as one of the best of the show. Hader has been nominated for several Primetime Emmy Awards, and the show has also been nominated for Outstanding Comedy.  

Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under)

While Michael C. Hall gained a lot of fame for another role he did – the still rewatchable Dexter on Showtime – he gained a lot of fame at first for his role in Six Feet Under, where he played David, one of the brothers who owns a family-funeral home. His role in the show earned him several nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. 

Jeremy Strong (Succession)

Succession’s success is awesome to watch, growing larger and more prominent over the years, and one of the lead actors, Jeremy Strong, has gained a lot of award recognition throughout the series' four seasons. Among Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Drama Series, and more, Strong has also earned nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the Primetime Emmys. 

Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones)

Cersei Lannister is undoubtedly one of the most-hated villains of Game of Thrones, but I don't think anyone could hate Lena Headey's performance. Throughout the series, the actress earned several nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, among several other awards at the Golden Globes, the Poppy Awards, and more. 

Anthony Carrigan (Barry)

I don't know where it came from, but NoHo Hank became my favorite character in Barry, and I think it's because of Anthony Carrigan's portrayal of him. While Carrigan's character didn't get as much hype at the beginning of Barry, the actor has earned several awards for his role in the show, including Primetime Emmy nominations. 

Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones)

Olenna Tyrell had to be the best player in Game of Thrones, and I'm pretty sure we all were heartbroken when Diana Rigg passed away. The actress earned several nominations for her role in the show, including Primetime Emmys for her guest appearances. Who could ever forget Olenna? 

Brian Cox (Succession)

I don't think anyone could forget Brian Cox as the patriarch of the Roy family in Succession, Logan Roy, the leading man we were all following for years on end. And, of course, Cox earned plenty of praise for his portrayal in the show, including several Primetime Emmy nominations and wins. 

Sydney Sweeney (The White Lotus And Euphoria)

Sydney Sweeney is an exceptional case on this list, as two of her shows on HBO have earned her nominations. She was a part of The White Lotus Season 1 cast, which earned her a Primetime Emmy nod, and for the second season of Euphoria, she also earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Both of which were certainly deserved. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

As the lead of Veep, I don't think we could get through a list like this without mentioning Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her role as Selina Meyer. The series, which ran from 2012 - 2019, was a massive success for her and earned the actress several nominations and wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy and the series for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmys. 

James Gandolfini (The Sopranos)

We can only have an HBO list by mentioning James Gandolfini from The Sopranos. As the patriarch of the Soprano family, Tony, James Gandolfini won several awards over the series, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at the Emmys three times. The show itself also won Outstanding Drama Series several times. 

Evan Peters (Mare Of Easttown)

Mare of Easttown was a limited series on HBO, and the entirety of the cast was incredibly impressive. Evan Peters has gained fame over the last decade for his roles in movies like X-Men and the anthology series American Horror Story, but his role as Detective Colin Zabel has been hailed as one of his best. His portrayal earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, among other awards. 

Henry Winkler (Barry)

Henry Winkler is a TV legend from Happy Days, but his role in Barry is one of my favorites. And the people who award these actors agreed too, as Winkler earned several awards for his character, Gene Cousineau, including Primetime Emmy wins. 

Kate Winslet (Mare Of Easttown)

Kate Winslet was the star of Mare of Easttown, a limited series on HBO, and out of everyone on the cast, she won the most awards for her time on the show. Some of her accomplishments include Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Primetime Emmys, TV Film of Miniseries Lead Actress of the Year for the Gold Derby Awards, Best Television Movie or Miniseries Actress for the Critics Choice Awards, and more. 

Edie Falco (The Sopranos)

For the six seasons of the American crime series The Sopranos, my favorite out of the entire cast was Edie Falco. Carmela was possibly the best TV wife out there and was the only person who would keep up with Tony's mess. Falco's portrayal of her went down in history. The actress was nominated for (and won) several Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and more. 

Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos)

Michael Imperioli played Christopher Moltisanti, the protégé of Tony in The Sopranos and someone who seemed to get some of the best storylines in the show. During his time on the series, Imperioli was nominated for his role in several awards, such as  Emmys, Golden Globes, Prism Awards, and more. 

Jake Lacy (The White Lotus Season 1)

The White Lotus cast for Season 1 had some impressive talent, but everyone seriously loved to hate Jake Lacy's character, Shane Patton. But everyone also loves his performance — which earned the actor several nominations across awards shows, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. 

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game Of Thrones)

Game of Thrones created several big names for Hollywood, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is another that we saw plenty of in the awards sphere. His character of Jamie Lannister is often credited as having one of the best character arcs in television and earned several award nominations, including the Primetime Emmys. Game of Thrones itself won Outstanding Drama Series several times. 

Sarah Snook (Succession)

The entire Succession cast is filled with talent, but one of my favorites has always been Sarah Snook, who played Shiv in the popular HBO series. Portraying the character for all four seasons, Snook has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. 

Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus, Season 1)

Daddario has been in the industry for some time, but her role in The White Lotus Season 1 is considered one of her best. The anthology series gave the actress the chance to shine as Rachel, and she was nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Primetime Emmys.  

Matthew McConaughey (True Detective, Season 1)

True Detective is an anthology series from HBO, and many lovers of the show agree that Season 1 had one of the best storylines, led by a captivating performance from Matthew McConaughey. The Academy Award-winning actor earned several awards for his lead performance in the first season, including a Crime Thriller Award, a Critics' Choice Award, a Primetime Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe nomination, and more. 

Issa Rae (Insecure)

Insecure is a comedy-drama from HBO, featuring co-creator Issa Rae in the show's lead role. The series was extremely well-received, and Rae was nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmys and Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. 

Kit Harrington (Game Of Thrones)

Jon Snow is probably the most known character from Game of Thrones aside from Daenerys and Tyrion – which is not surprising considering the character is getting his own Game of Thrones spinoff series. The actor behind him, Kit Harrington, was nominated for several awards during his time on the show, including the Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for the show's final season. 

Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus, Seasons 1 And 2)

While The White Lotus is an anthology series, Jennifer Coolidge was a part of the main cast for the first two seasons (and only the first two). And her time on the show as Tanya was exceptionally well-received and loved. Among many other awards, Coolidge won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series of Movies. 

Anthony Hopkins (Westworld)

Anthony Hopkins is one of the most critically acclaimed actors of our time, and of course, he has been praised for his TV performances. This time around, it's Westworld, where he earned several nominations from the Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, and more. The series was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the Primetime Emmys. 

Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus Season 1)

Murray Bartlett was a part of The White Lotus Season 1 and he was honestly one of the show's funniest characters. For his performance as Armond, Bartlett earned several nominations. The show was also nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series for Season 1.

Jeffrey Wright (Westworld)

Jeffrey Wright is a great actor who has been in various movies and TV shows, but one of his most critically acclaimed roles was portraying Bernard Lowe in Westworld, a series he starred in for some time. Wright earned several nominations, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. 

There are so many amazing actors and actresses who have gone on to do incredible things. And truthfully, this makes me want to see all these shows again to see their talent. Is anyone up for a Game of Thrones rewatch?

Even though Game of Thrones ended four years ago, the stories of Westeros and the quest for the Iron Throne still remain a staple in pop culture. Between the success of House of the Dragon (Season 2 is on the way) and the adoration fans have for the OG GOT cast, there’s still a lot of love for the mega-hit fantasy. One way we see this fandom shown year after year is when people dress up as the characters for Halloween. This spooky season is no exception, because Chlöe Bailey dressed up as Khaleesi, and she looked perfect with her armored corset and dragon eggs.

Embracing her inner Targaryen, the singer donned gorgeous metal armor and a long platinum-blonde wig. She also made sure to have her three dragon eggs by her side. Check it out:

As you can see, Bailey’s costume is made up of a metal armor corset that features both gold and silver detailing. She also has full glam for makeup, luscious long blonde hair and long black nails. Basically, the singer yanked Daenerys into the 21st century, added a bit of her pop star flair to the look, and showed us her modern take on the Mother of Dragons. I’m so here for it!

Overall, this outfit is bringing me back to the early seasons of Game of Thrones, and Daenerys’ relationship with Khal Drogo. The best episodes of GOT include installments that show Dany rising into her power, especially during the early seasons, and I think Chlöe Bailey encapsulated the Mother of Dragon’s energy perfectly, all the way down to the dragon egg details.

While Khaleesi doesn’t have the legion of Targaryen dragons her ancestors do in House of the Dragon, she shows her power and potential by bringing the flying creatures back and becoming the Mother of Dragons. Bailey’s look includes the three eggs that become Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons, which is the icing on the cake for this already epic costume. 

Clearly, Chlöe Bailey loves an elaborate Halloween look, and I for one would love to see her takes on other iconic Game of Thrones characters during spooky season. I bet she’d absolutely slay a Sansa or Rhaenyra costume. This singer dressing up as the Mother of Dragons one year and the Queen in the North or the proper heir to the Iron Throne another? Yes, please. However, I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, we have this gorgeous Khaleesi getup to appreciate!

If you are looking to go back and see the character who inspired Chlöe Bailey’s Halloween costume, you can stream Game of Thrones, as well as its prequel series House of the Dragon, with a Max subscription. And if you are looking for inspiration for your own looks, check out our guide on how to build the perfect Halloween costume based on the biggest TV shows. 

The DC Universe has had plenty of twists and turns during the years, especially related to its leadership. James Gunn and Peter Safran were recently named co-CEOs of the studio, and are making sweeping changes to the shared universe. But there were a few upcoming DC movies filmed before this leadership changed, including James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. That movie is getting close to release, although some fans have signed a petition for Amber Heard to be fired as Mera. So what if Emilia Clarke replaced her in Aquaman 2? New fan art has explored this possibility.

The petition to see Amber Heard removed from the DCU happened right after Johnny Depp was fired from the role of Grindelwald in the Fantatic Beasts franchise. Despite Aquaman 2 already being filmed, fans wanted to see her removed and replaced thanks to VFX and reshoots. Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke has been a popular choice to take the mantle of Mera, and now we can see what she’d look like courtesy of fan art on Instagram. Check it out below:

Move over, Daenerys Targaryen and hello to Mera. Emilia Clarke looks pretty awesome in this fan art, even using the DC character’s signature aquatic powers in the process. And while it’s too late for Clarke to replace Heard in Aquaman 2, we’ll have to see what the future of the character might be in the new DC Universe.

The fan art above comes to us from the Instagram of digital artist Diego Oliveira, who has a few thousand followers thanks to his work. Aside from how awesome Emilia Clarke looks as this aquatic DC hero, the post is also cool because he offers a look at how he digitally imposed her face into the image. And the finished product is pretty damn convincing.

Not much is known about the contents of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, despite how it’s just a few months away from arriving in theaters. We’ve yet to be given a trailer for the DC blockbuster, which would no doubt help increase anticipation. This has led some fans to wonder if Warner Bros. might end up delaying Aquaman 2’s release yet again.

While Amber Heard is expected to appear in Aquaman 2, there are some rumors swirling about her role. Specifically that Mera might not be in the movie nearly as much as its predecessor. Whether this is related to her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp remains unclear, but hopefully some concrete information comes sooner rather than later.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently expected to arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Warning: SPOILERS for the Secret Invasion finale are ahead!

Secret Invasion wrapped its six-episode run on Disney+ at the end of July, and among the more exciting moments in the finale was Emilia Clarke’s G’iah battling Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Gravik. Thanks to both of them infusing themselves with the collection of superhero DNA known as The Harvest, these Skrulls showed off a variety of special abilities during their clash, including G’iah shapeshifting her arm to look like Drax’s from the Guardians of the Galaxy. However, this particular display of power has resulted in a debate unfolding through a viral Twitter thread.

This discussion originated from Twitter user @UpToTASK, who took issue with people criticizing how the CGI in this Secret Invasion scene looked, particularly where that Drax arm is concerned. See for yourself:

The MCU has received more criticism over its CGI as of late, including VFX artists claiming that this aspect of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania suffered because more resources were poured into the prior Marvel movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, when it comes to the above moment from Secret Invasion, opinions are mixed about the quality of CGI. On the negative side of things, at least where the Drax arm is concerned, @mattroembke had this to say:

The main complaint with the Drax arm revolves around the proportions, with many finding it weird that G’iah is boasting such a bulky arm with someone of Emilia Clarke’s figure. However, as @UpToTASK points out, the arm needed to resemble the person from which it’s originally based on, saying:

On the other hand, maybe you fall more into @isaaac_jpeg's cape, who didn’t take issue with how the arm looked so much as how it emerged, although that did come with a caveat:

And then there are the people like @Nashy_LV, who didn’t like the way G’iah’s Drax arm looked, but overall thought that the CGI in Secret Invasion was a step up from past Marvel shows accessible to Disney+ subscribers.

It’s also worth mentioning that even though Nick Fury said that the DNA contained in The Harvest was obtained from the Battle of Earth, we see Gravik making his arm look like Abomination’s, yet Emil Blonsky wasn’t present for this conflict that unfolded in Avengers: Endgame. However, @UpToTASK said that they “refuse to believe” that Fury only collected DNA from one battle, but that’s a conversation for another time. Wherever you fall on this matter, one thing that’s clear is that Secret Invasion is not one of the more well-received MCU projects, as evidenced by the Rotten Tomatoes reviews for every episode. It’s also amusing that the battle in the Secret Invasion finale ended up paralleling a joke from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s own finale last year.

With Secret Invasion out of the way, Nick Fury will next be seen in The Marvels, which hits theaters on November 10. For everything else this superhero franchise has on the way, look through our upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows guides.

Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion's season finale.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a big place, thanks to new content coming in the form of movies and shows on Disney+. The latest of these live-action TV projects came in the form of Secret Invasion, starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. The six-episode season just ended, and the final episode set up some exciting narrative threads for the future of the shared universe. And Marvel fans are making the same ending joke after Secret Invasion's finale.

Secret Invasion finally put Nick Fury in the spot light for those with a Disney+ subscription, but also introduced a number of newcomers. Chief among them was Emilia Clarke's G'iah, who appeared as a child in Captain Marvel. The finale saw her becoming a Super Skrull, and battle Gravik with the help of various heroes' powers. The fight was over the top, and many fans are seeing parallells with how the finale of She-Hulk poked fun at this trope last year. Case in point: the following tweet:

Shots fired. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was a hilarious meta romp that took the piss out of typical Marvel finales/battles during its last episode. She poked fun at the idea of an over the top CGI fight, which is exactly what we got when Gravik and G'iah came to blows in Secret Invasion. Collectively we saw powers from the likes of Drax, Groot, Ghost, Ebony Maw, The Hulk, and Captain Marvel. 

Secret Invasion through a ton of twists into the greater MCU, especially related to Skrulls and the true identity of Rhodey. It also seemingly made Emilia Clarke's new character into the most powerful presence in the shared universe. After all, she's got basically every superpower, including the destructive power of Captain Marvel. Could she come to blows with Brie Larson sometime in the future? Only time will tell. Another tweet pointed out the She-Hulk connection to Secret Invasion, it reads:

Another complaint about the finale of Secret Invasion was its runtime. While the first two episodes were 55 and 58 minutes respectively, the last batch were much shorter. In fact, the finale clocked in at 38 mins, including the credits. Combine that with the contents of the episode, and folks got online to complain. Check it out: 

No one could have predicted the end of Secret Invasion when it strated, especially the reveal that were there so many Skrulls hiding in plain sight. But the invention of Super Skrulls is another huge fold, especially now that Emilia Clarke's character is walking about the MCU with every superpower in the book. And it also pivoted the action from espionage to an extra super-powered brawl between the two Super Skrulls. Another fan pointed out how this was the antithesis of She-Hulk, posting:

Of course, those who have been watching the Marvel movies in order (plus the TV shows) might be surprised by the sudden love for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The series had a bonkers tone, and got plenty of criticism upon its release... especially related to the long wait for Matt Murdock/Daredevil. 

For this reason it's surprising that She-Hulk is being given so much love at this moment, especially when compared to the finale of Secret Invasion. One person on Twitter pointed out this shift, saying:

Points were made. Maybe She-Hulk is one of those projects that will get better with age, especially when compared to other live-action Marvel shows. I'm also curious to see if the number of shows is reduced, since Bob Iger claimed that Disney+ shows were negatively affecting major movie franchises.

Secret Invasion is streaming in its entirety now. The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is The Marvels on November 10th. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Even though it’s been off the air for several years now, I doubt that any Game of Thrones fans will forget that the fantasy was filled to the brim with people who did things which were questionable at best and frequently horrible at worst. This also applied to aspects of the characters’ lives, like romantic relationships, and one of the most troubling of these was when Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow fell for one another and did the deed, unaware that they were actually related. While that was a difficult scene for fans, Emilia Clark recently revealed how her sex scene with Kit Harington was almost a very awkward one on set.

What Did Emilia Clarke Reveal About Her Game Of Thrones Sex Scene With Kit Harington?

The famed HBO series (which everyone can revisit with a Max subscription) was known for being a bloody-minded drama with loads of sexytimes, including what we saw between Dany and Jon. While we’ve heard that filming sex scenes for GOT could be a “frenzied mess” before, it seems that things were pretty calm as Clarke and Harington prepared to film their characters’ incestuous hookup, with the exception of Clarke’s real brother. As she told the crowd assembled for her panel with Harington at Superhero Comic Con and Car Show (via @smoakclarke on Twitter) recently:

Well, this is certainly an unforeseen problem when it comes to working with family that I doubt most would encounter. This just isn’t happening if you go to work for your aunt’s accounting firm, OK? We don’t know how long Clarke’s sibling had been working in the GOT camera department or how he didn’t know beforehand what was being filmed when he stepped on set that day, but I do imagine he was treated to a very unwelcome surprise when he found out he might have to be in the room as his sister simulated some very steamy sex acts.

Actually, now that I consider it, I cannot think of a more embarrassing professional situation for either of the Clarke siblings, can you? Clarke’s stance on filming nudity and sex scenes has several different aspects to it, but she did reveal that filming the Dany/Jon scene was “unnatural and strange” and led to a lot of laughter because of them being good friends by then. Just think of having the general weirdness of a sex scene added to the oddness of doing it with one of your buddies, and then putting “oh, yeah, my brother’s watching” on top of that. It sounds like a perfect recipe for a lot of messed up takes, if you ask me.

We don’t know if her brother managed to get out in time, but everyone involved is a true professional, so there definitely wasn’t even a hint of weirdness in the final scene. I mean…except for the, “Ewwww! That’s his aunt!” of it all, anyway.

Like so many Hollywood blockbusters these days that utilize CGI, the Marvel movies utilize green screens a lot, as it’s necessary in order to create specific environments, bring certain characters to life, etc. Even 2021’s Eternals, which was primarily a practical shoot (according to Kumail Nanjiani) relied on them at least a little bit. Still, every now and then, an actor will criticize the experience of acting in front of  green screens. Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke, who’s fresh off the Marvel series Secret Invasion, has now shared her thoughts about such smack talking, and she’s not wrong.

Disney+ subscribers can currently see Emilia Clarke starring in Secret Invasion as Gi’ah, daughter of Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos and one of the many shapeshifting Skrulls this story focuses on. While talking to The Los Angeles Times about the latest MCU show, Clarke said the following about actors who’ve said that performing in front of green screens doesn’t count as “real” acting:

Among the actors who have this negative mindset towards Marvel’s use of green screens is Anthony Hopkins, who played Odin in the first three Thor movies. During a New Yorker interview in 2021, Hopkins described being put in front of a green screen as “pointless acting.” Christian Bale, who played Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder, voiced similar thoughts last October, describing that experience of green screen acting as the “definition” of “monotony.”

But as Emilia Clarke explained, Marvel is still able to pull in big-name actors for its various movies and TV shows despite it being common knowledge that they use green screens, so evidently this isn’t the deterrent in which it’s sometimes been framed. On the subject of talent, Clarke’s other costars on Secret Invasion include Samuel L. Jackson, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Olivia Colman and Don Cheadle, so it’s no wonder she also said this about why appearing in the show was so appealing to her.

Going back to green screen acting, let’s also keep in mind that these actors are still showing off their performing chops, it’s just a matter of them having to imagine the environment their character is in and/or a specific character they’re interacting with in a scene. So yes, that can make the acting process more challenging, but it certainly wasn’t enough to steer Clarke away from doing Secret Invasion. Besides, even though this is a show revolving around aliens that can disguise themselves as humans, it has a more grounded feel to it compared to a lot of other Marvel projects, specifically being tonally similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier with its political intrigue. So that’ll certainly help it stand out among this franchise’s other offerings.

New episodes of Secret Invasion premiere Wednesdays on Disney+. Be sure to look through the guides of upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows to see what the MCU has coming down the creative pipeline over the next several years.

Spoiler Warning: Details about the final season of Game of Thrones lie ahead. 

Emilia Clarke was one of the cornerstones of Game of Thrones. Her character, Daenerys Targaryen, was one of the show's central figures, and the role catapulted the actress to stardom. While her work was praised, the final season of the HBO show was poorly received by fans, with many feeling like the fantasy show had lost direction. Since then, Clarke has been asked how she personally felt about the ending. While she didn’t go into specifics about her character's final on-screen moments, her face should’ve been a warning sign for the last season. 

It should be no surprise that several years after the conclusion of GoT, fans are still referencing the incredibly polarizing ending. One of the ways in which they've done is is by using memes or actual clips from the show or from its stars. The latter came into play just recently. An Instagram user recently took to the platform to share a clip of Emilia Clarke, from the time she attended the annual HBO Emmys party. While there, she was asked by ET about filming her last scenes with the show and if she was happy about how the show ended. 

This was, of course, months before fans formed their negative opinions on the last season and ahead of the actress being able to be candid about her Daenerys' ending. Yet Thrones fans probably should’ve been weary, as the actress visibly cringes when she’s asked about the show. Her expression speaks volumes, and you can check out the moment for yourself below:

Yikes. While she may have been nervous about dropping spoilers, you can't help but get the feeling that she knew the season wasn’t going to be what the fans wanted. It goes without saying that it was controversial, as many unhappy with the winner of the Throne. There were also complaints over how the writers wrapped up many character arcs. For context, Emilia Clarke’s Targaryen descends into madness, causing destruction while on a murderous rampage. She is killed by her nephew, Jon Snow to prevent more damage. Her villainous turn was a departure from her characterization for most of the series, and many felt like her ending was rushed.

The Solo actress has opened up about the controversial finale in the years following. She wasn’t the biggest fan of Daenerys' fate, especially considering Jon Snow essentially got away with murder. She also has stated that she would go back and change her death scene if she could. However, when it comes to the series as a whole, she has expressed that she’s content with the show ending when it did and that she has all of the memories from shooting the fantasy series with her castmates. The actress has gone on to have quite the career as well, with the Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe franchises among her credits. So she’s probably very grateful for the opportunities she’s gotten as a result of Thrones.

While fans and some of the cast may not be thrilled with the GoT ending, there’s still hope for some closure on that front. The series was adapted from the book series by George R.R. Martin, and the first four seasons of the show correspond with Martin’s written material. The author has been working on the next GoT novel The Winds of Winter for many years and didn’t complete the novel fast enough for the show to adapt it. Therefore, the television writers came up with canon show material on their own. Maybe when The Winds of Winter finally hits bookshelves, fans and Emilia Clarke will finally get the Daenerys Targaryen ending they desire -- one that doesn't make them visibly cringe.

Game of Thrones is currently available to stream with a Max subscription. Emilia Clarke fans can also check out the actress’s new MCU series, Secret Invasion, which is now streaming for Disney+ subscribers. For more information on other shows heading to the small screen later this year, make sure to consult our 2023 TV schedule. 

Game of Thrones was a pop culture phenomenon that took over television back in its day, so it’s only fitting that a growing number of former Thrones stars have since joined the MCU as another pop culture juggernaut. Emilia Clarke, whose breakout role was as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series, can now be found with a Disney+ subscription as part of the cast of Marvel’s Secret Invasion. While promoting the new series, the actress shared a funny story about when Game of Thrones became more like Marvel, and how she and co-star Peter Dinklage reacted.

Security skyrocketed in the later seasons of Game of Thrones, when millions of people were dying to know over hiatus what would happen next for Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys, Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion, and the rest of the characters. So, dealing with secrecy for Secret Invasion plot details wasn’t entirely new to Clarke, and it’s apparently easier nowadays than during Game of Thrones. The actress told EW:

Marvel is of course notorious for the practices that prevent spoilers from getting out, ranging from heavily redacting scripts to preventing Spider-Man star Tom Holland from reading full scripts, to the point that Guardians of the Galaxy’s Zoe Saldana said that it “feels like a cult.” For Emilia Clarke, however, it’s much easier to fend off people asking for Marvel spoilers than it was for Game of Thrones back in the day. The actress went on to share a certain move by the GOT showrunners that particularly affected Peter Dinklage: 

Apparently, both Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage are actors who prefer paper scripts over reading on a screen! David Benioff and Dan Weiss, who Clarke previously joked about not letting her slouch as Khaleesi on Game of Thrones, evidently went full Marvel to try and keep secrets later in the show’s run. 

Her comments back up what Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, a.k.a. Jaime Lannister himself, revealed about the final season. He shared that not only did the cast receive their scripts digitally, but those scenes vanished Mission: Impossible-style once they were finished filming! The showrunners’ efforts were sometimes thwarted, including that time when a Ferris wheel spoiled their secrecy plans.

Of course, it’s hard to blame anybody at Game of Thrones or HBO for being concerned about spoilers in light of security leaks. Four episodes from Season 5 were leaked early (with one cast member claiming that HBO did so deliberately), and Season 6 dealt with another leak. Multiple episodes of the eighth and final season hit the web before they aired on HBO, although that didn’t stop the show from hitting history-making ratings before the end. 

As recently as October 2022, the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon leaked, so maybe the Game of Thrones spinoff will go into Marvel security mode as well! If so, Emilia Clarke presumably won’t have to deal with any of the measures, as the show is set centuries before her Game of Thrones character was born, and the actress herself isn’t watching HOTD.

If you want to revisit Emilia Clarke’s time as Daenerys Targaryen, you can find all eight seasons of Game of Thrones streaming with a Max subscription.

Emilia Clarke has joined major franchises like Star Wars, Terminator, and most recently the MCU for Disney+ subscribers, but she may forever be best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. In fact, while promoting Marvel’s Secret Invasion alongside co-star Ben Mendelsohn, she shared what she learned from playing Khaleesi for ten years that she was able to apply to the new show. It’s a hilarious reveal from the actress, but nobody may find it as funny as Mendelsohn did! 

Clarke and Mendelsohn are part of the same family in the cast of Secret Invasion, with the actor reprising his Captain Marvel role as Talos and Clarke debuting as Talos’ daughter G’iah. They were paired up for an interview with Phase Zero in which the actress revealed the origin behind Dany’s very straight posture on Game of Thrones, why the character kept her back straight from beginning to end, and how it affected her approach to the new Marvel show. And honestly, my favorite part of the video might be her co-star cracking up! Take a look, starting at the 4-minute mark:

Apparently, Khaleesi’s regal posture on Game of Thrones is all down to Emilia Clarke landing the role of Daenerys Targaryen as a young actress who remembered her mom’s advice to always sit up straight! Unfortunately for her, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss weren’t open to the character starting to slouch as the seasons went by. If you missed some of her story due to all the giggles, here’s what she shared: 

Mendelsohn’s laughter was clearly contagious, because Emilia Clarke was struggling through her story due to a case of the giggles herself by the end! I’m not sure what I would have guessed as a lesson that she learned from a decade of Game of Thrones, but it wouldn’t have been about a straight vs. a comfortable posture! She went on to explain how she applied her hilarious lesson to Secret Invasion:

In a fun twist, Emilia Clarke is only the latest on a long list of former Game of Thrones stars who have joined the MCU, and she even commented on the sheer number when she found out! She does seem to have moved on from the world of Westeros, previously saying that it’s “too weird” for her to even watch House of the Dragon, although she was “so happy it’s happening.” She also had some advice for the new stars playing Targaryens in the spinoff. 

For now, it’s possible that her future lies in the MCU! Of course, Secret Invasion only just started with its premiere in the 2023 TV schedule, so it remains to be seen if G’iah will be around in the MCU in the long run. New episodes will release on Wednesdays on Disney+, and the streamer is also the place to find Marvel movies in order during the days between episodes. 

Game of Thrones was an unprecedented hit, making Emilia Clarke a star for her role as Daenerys Targaryen. GOT was so popular that the actress is still meeting fans of the show, including some famous supporters. Recently, rapper Snoop Dogg met the actress and expressed his support for her, even vowing to “protect” her eggs in a reference to her “Mother of Dragons” role. The HBO alum could not be more elated to meet the iconic hip hop artist, proving that the love is mutual.

Clarke is currently very busy promoting her new MCU Disney+ series Secret Invasion. During a recent interview with eTalk for CTV, she was asked about her time with the 90’s icon, and she was clearly ecstatic to talk about it. She gushed about their meeting, revealing that Snoop vowed to protect her dragon eggs, and they even took an adorable photo together. You can see a TikTok of her reaction below.

I love how excited she is, and what an incredible story! The two stars clearly hit it off, and based on his response, I'd say that Clarke’s co-star Ben Mendelsohn might be a little jealous. I can’t blame him! Snoop Dogg and Clarke both have charismatic personalities, and this get-together seemed like a total blast. Maybe they can include the Australian actor in their fun next time, and form the most unlikely (but coolest) Hollywood trio. 

The Me Before You actress often expresses her excitement, and her enthusiasm is infectious. It seems that every time she reunites with Jason Momoa, they take a photo together where Clarke looks happy as can be, showing her love for her former co-star. When she also met Matt LeBlanc on live TV, she was visibly giddy and thrilled to be meeting someone she's such a big fan of. Her happiness always shines, and it’s nice to see her being so open about being a fan of others, when so many are fans of hers.

In the interview, Clarke revealed that she and Snoop Dogg talked about doing a movie together and I’m so here for it. The hip hop artist has made tons of cameos in films before, so he may just be a natural scene partner. The Last Christmas star seemingly has chemistry with everyone, and I could totally see them getting up to some big screen shenanigans. Maybe Clarke could be featured in the upcoming biopic about the “Gin and Juice” artist. The British actress has a lot on her plate right now with upcoming Marvel projects, and several other films coming down the pike, but for Snoop, I think she’d make it work. 

You can catch Emilia Clarke in Secret Invasion, which is streaming now for Disney+ subscribers. You can also see Snoop Dogg play a significant role in the first season of BMF, which is currently streaming on Starz. For more information on other series coming to the small screen in the near future, make sure to consult our 2023 TV premiere schedule.

Emilia Clarke has had an incredible post-Game of Thrones career that's been filled with interest projects. Her latest venture is particularly exciting, though, as it ushers her into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She's set to star alongside Samuel L. Jackson on Secret Invasion, a new MCU series premiering on Disney+. It's a much-anticipated series that adapts a classic storyline from the comics and features an excellent cast. This feels like a natural career move for the Me Before You actress, and it's interesting because many of her Game of Thrones co-stars have already jumped into the sprawling franchise. Clarke recently learned that well over a dozen Thrones alums have joined the superhero-laden fold already, and she seemed pretty wowed by it.

The Last Christmas actress chatted with ET during the red carpet premiere of Secret Invasion. She talked about the scale of this latest Marvel project as well as how Disney has been pulling out all of the stops to promote the streaming series. It was during the interview that she was also informed of just how many Thrones stars who've been tapped for MCU fare at this point. She responded by saying:

This steadily expanding stat shows just how dominant both franchises have been in pop culture. There have been numerous MCU projects over the years and, given that GoT produced some big stars, it was probably inevitable that a number of former cast members would get tapped. As it stands, it would seem that there are 18 actors who have been in both franchises, if you include projects that are adjacent to the cinematic universe proper like the Netflix shows. The actors, aside from the Daenerys Targaryen actress, who performed in both are as follows:

• Natalie Dormer
• Peter Dinklage
• Kit Harington
• Richard Madden 
• Richard E. Grant
• Hannah John-Kamen
• David Bradley
• Lena Headey
• Richard Dormer
• Joseph Gatt 
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• Clive Russell
• Richard Brake
• Enzo Cilenti
• Ralph Ineson
• Rhys Ifans
• Finn Jones
• Jessica Henwick

There have certainly been some memorable performances by the stars above. Who could forget Richard E. Grant's turn as an older Loki in the show of the same name. Peter Dinklage also made the most of his time as Eitri in Avengers: Infinity War. All in all, these stars have proven to be great for the comic book-inspired franchise thus far.

Emilia Clarke certainly played a significant role in the hit HBO drama and will portray a key character in this upcoming show as well. In Secret Invasion, she's set to play Skrull rebel G'iah, Talos’ daughter who was previously portrayed as a child in Captain Marvel. According to Clarke’s description of the character, she's angry and resentful of Nick Fury for not finding the Skrulls a home as promised. There are likely more character details that make G’iah essential to the Disney+ series, but fans won’t truly know until it’s released. Interestingly, this isn't the first time time Clarke has come into contact with Marvel, as the actress almost appeared in Iron Man 3.

As for her Game of Thrones character, Daenerys Targaryen is one of the most iconic figures to come out of the series. She's known as the Mother of the Dragons and is a member of one of the central families of the series. Her character is heavily explored throughout the run and has a starring role in all eight seasons. It was Clarke's breakout role, and she's become a major star as a result. Her performance was also critically acclaimed, earning her several Emmy nominations. She is clearly incredibly talented, and I can’t wait to see her follow in the footsteps of so many of her colleagues by bringing that GoT talent to the MCU.

Disney+ subscribers will be able to check out Secret Invasion when it hits the streaming service on June 21. In the meantime, fans can watch Emilia Clarke and the rest of the GOT cast in the eight-season fantasy series, which is streamable with a Max subscription. For more information on other projects heading to the small screen this year, make sure to consult our 2023 TV schedule.

Game of Thrones may be over, but the world of Westeros lives on, as the fantasy series prequel House of the Dragon smashed records and soared to great success last summer. Naturally, as the HOTD cast rose to fame, and people were immersed into the GOT world once again, the audience started to wonder what the Game of Thrones cast thought about the hit prequel. Understandably, the original cast members who have been asked about House of the Dragon have had a hard time getting into the series. However, each of them has also been enthusiastic about the GOT legacy living on, and are thrilled about the success of its prequel. 

Here’s what some of the OG Game of Thrones cast have to say about House of the Dragon, and if they’ve watched the new GOT series. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen

It felt inevitable that Emilia Clarke would get asked about House of the Dragon, considering her character’s familial connection to the characters in the prequel. The actress played Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, and this new series is about the Mother of Dragons' ancestors. Sadly, she hasn’t tuned in to learn about her fantasy family’s history yet. 

When asked if she had seen the new HBO series, Emilia Clarke was quick to say she can’t watch House of the Dragon. While I’m a bit bummed she hasn’t tuned in, I totally understand her reasoning, as she said:

She continued to explain why she won't watch House of the Dragon, saying:

While I’m bummed she’s avoiding the show, I get why she hasn’t watched yet. I think the comparison to a high school reunion for a class you weren’t in makes a lot of sense. However, I hope she’s able to watch the Targaryen story eventually. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow

Emilia Clarke might not be able to watch the show, but Kit Harington hasn’t totally dismissed the idea of streaming the Game of Thrones prequel. The Jon Snow actor admitted that he’s tried to watch House of the Dragon, but can’t watch it all at once, explaining: 

I understand why it’d be difficult to watch House of the Dragon. Seeing King’s Landing and the Iron Throne as well as the costumes that resemble GOT wardrobe would likely cause some wild deja vu. I’d assume that since these actors lived with these characters and this world for so long, and worked on sets like the HOTD locations seeing them back on screen, but not physically being there would be odd. 

While Harington finds the show “hard” to watch at the moment, he still loves it and the fantasy world. That appreciation for the series was clear here, and in a broader sense, considering the actor is set to reprise his role as Jon Snow in a spin-off about his legendary GOT character, it makes sense that he still loves the GOT universe. 

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Jaime Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has also weighed in on the conversation and admitted that he hasn’t watched House of the Dragon just yet. While chatting with EW, the actor behind Jaime Lannister explained that while he hasn’t seen the show, he has seen the eerily similar opening credits. The actor said:

I was also thrown off watching the pilot for House of the Dragon and hearing the Game of Thrones theme song playing. It really throws you back into the world of Westeros with no warning, and I’d assume that when you were in the cast of GOT hearing that song would evoke some strong memories. 

However, even though Coster-Waldau said he can’t bring himself to watch the show at the moment, he did admit he’d like to watch it eventually, saying:

Like Clarke and Harington, Coster-Waldau is also happy about the show’s success, and appreciates that the world of Westeros lives on. Hopefully, he’s able to find it in himself to tune in eventually because it’s a great series. 

The overall consensus seems to be that the Game of Thrones cast is thrilled about post-GOT projects, however, it’s difficult to tune in and be taken back into a world they are so familiar with. Hopefully, the OG cast will be able to watch House of the Dragon eventually, because it’s a great show, and I think all us Game of Thrones fans would love to hear what the cast thinks of the prequel series. 

As more Game of Thrones cast members continue to comment on House of the Dragon we’ll be sure to keep you updated on all their thoughts. In the meantime, you can check out both fantasy series based in Westeros with an HBO Max subscription. 

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Wars: Hidden Empire #5 are ahead!

When the Star Wars franchise decided to explore Han Solo’s origins in Solo: A Star Wars Story, among the characters the 2018 movie introduced was Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra, the love interest to Alden Ehrenreich’s younger Han. Unfortunately, given how Solo underperformed at the box office, there’s been no movement on making Solo 2 happen. Fortunately, this hasn’t stopped Qi’ra from being explored in a different corner of the Star Wars franchise, and now we know how her story ends, at least where the Original Trilogy is concerned.

Back in summer 2021, Qi’ra entered the Star Wars comics scene when she was revealed to be a major player in the “War of the Bounty Hunters” crossover event. With Solo having ended with Qi’ra heading to meet Darth Maul, who was leading the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate at the time, “War of the Bounty Hunters" caught up with her in the year between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, with her now leading Crimson Dawn. Qi’ra returned in the follow-up events “Crimson Reign” and “Hidden Empire,” the latter of which ended today with the fifth issue of the main miniseries. Unfortunately, the issue (via Comicbook.com) ends with Qi’ra’s mission to overthrow the Empire failing.

Since assuming control of Crimson Dawn, Qi’ra took steps to turn the organization into a force for the greater goods, namely by having her agents infiltrate all walks of life across a galaxy far, far away, including within the Empire. Qi’ra’s endgame was to defeat Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine so that the galaxy would never need to fear the Empire and the Sith ever again, and in “Hidden Empire,” she attempted to accomplish this with an artifact called the Fermata Cage. While Vader and Palpatine initially thought the Cage had the ability to bring two Sith from years past to the present era, its true purpose was to simply freeze two Sith targets in time, which ideally would have made them easy to pick off.

Sadly, Vader and Palpatine were eventually able to overpower the Fermata Cage, and while Qi’ra was able to escape, the failure of her master plan led to her leaving Crimson Dawn and encouraging its agents to go build new lives for themselves. Readers of Hidden Empire #5 learn all this information through a mysterious character called The Archivist telling it as a story to Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, but this moment takes place post-Return of the Jedi, i.e. after the Rebels destroyed the second Death Star. Speaking of which, it’s also revealed that it was Crimson Dawn agents who tipped off the Rebellion that this version of the planet-destroying machine was being built, as well as mentioned that because the Empire was so focused on wiping out the remnants of Crimson Dawn, that allowed the Rebellion replenish its ranks.

But wait, there’s one final twist to mention! While it was speculated that the Empire would eventually capture Qi’ra ands execute her for her actions, the finale pages of Hidden Empire #5 show that she lived to see the Empire toppled, though she’d been in isolation after failing to kill Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. So now we know how things end for Qi’ra by the time the Original Trilogy is over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the last of her. In addition to it still being possible that we might get a story following Qi’ra in the time between Solo and the Original Trilogy, even if that’s not Solo 2, we also now know it’s possible she can pop up in stories set after Return of the Jedi. And with Emilia Clarke starring in Secret Invasion later this year, Disney+ may want to keep the actress around, which would make Qi’ra a prime pick to lead a Star Wars TV show.

You can read all that unfolds in Star Wars: Hidden Empire #5 by buying digitally or at your local comic book store. If it’s announced that Qi’ra will appear in more Star Wars stories, we’ll let you know. Until then, break out your Disney+ subscription to watch the Star Wars movies in order or the platform’s original shows for the franchise.

Even though Game of Thrones came to an end almost four years ago, the franchise lives on in the form of a wildly successful prequel. House of the Dragon is the incredibly popular successor to the HBO fantasy series, however, despite its popularity, it’s not so popular among some of the original Game of Thrones cast members. While Emilia Clarke refuses to watch the GoT prequel, her co-star Kit Harington has the opposite take, however, he's proceeding into the prequel with caution.

Kit Harington portrayed the fan-favorite Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, and he is potentially set to star in his own Jon Snow spinoff. So it wasn't surprising to find out that he has watched some of House of the Dragon, even praising the series when speaking to Extra. He did admit, though, that it was hard for him to watch, which is understandable given how long he spent on the flagship series:

It sounds like Harington is a fan of House of the Dragon, and he pacing himself while watching. Since the series is a prequel, it does make things a little weird since there’s this whole new set of characters and storylines, that are directly related to the characters of Game of Thrones. While the consensus seems to be that it’s just too painful or weird to watch after being on its parent series for close to a decade, it’s clear that Harington is slowly trying to work his way through and give his support.

Taking place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022, and it focused on the Targaryen family. As the cast of House of the Dragon revels in the show’s success, it’s easy to understand why some GoT stars are finding it hard to watch since they are still connected to the OG series. I'd imagine it's hard seeing other actors tell a story in the same world with similar names, costumes, and accents. Perhaps they can follow Kit Harington’s lead and watch a little bit at a time, pacing themselves through the fantasy prequel.

Meanwhile, House of the Dragon was renewed for a second season not even a week after its premiere. Much like its predecessor, House of the Dragon was wildly successful during Season 1, and that will likely carry over into Season 2. Clearly, the Game of Thrones franchise is not slowing down any time soon, and whether the original cast is able to watch any more of the upcoming series will be something to look out for. 

If it’s not too painful or weird to you to watch House of the Dragon, be sure to sign up for an HBO Max subscription so you can stream the first season now. And while we wait for Season 2, be sure to check out CinemaBlend’s 2023 TV schedule to see what’s coming soon.

Emilia Clarke is thriving, not only is her career as strong as ever, she’s also on her A-game when it comes to social media, posting BTS photos, images of her dog, posts about brain injury awareness, and motivational mug messages. Recently, she took to Instagram to post a selfie of her with a mug her mom gave her and share a positive message with her fans. However someone on Twitter decided to troll her post, and comment about her age, now, fans of the Game of Thrones star are calling out the person who posted the negative comment, and showing their love for the Mother of Dragons. 

The actress took to Instagram to show off her mug that reads “You’re doing fucking great,” and wanted to share the message with her fans. She signed off her caption by saying: “Use it and reap the rewards.” 

The comments on her post praised the actress and noted how beautiful she is with adorable loving enthusiasm that is comparable to how Jason Momoa reacts any time he reunites with his TV wifey. However, there was one Twitter user who decided to troll Clarke, commenting on her age. Jon Miller posted a screenshot of the actress’s selfie and commented: 

This comment making fun of the actress's age was met with great backlash from Clarke’s fans, calling him out for the statement. Inimitable Neuro not only called out the user’s post, but reaffirmed how amazing the actress behind Daenerys Targaryen is, writing:

Others also quickly came to Clarke’s defense by calling out the tweet that was trolling the actress, posting messages like: 

• this is gross and misogynistic. -Regan Okey 
• What are you talking about? She’s beautiful. -TJ Allard 
• I don't know why you think it's cool to put people down for the simple human process of aging -Abby Libby 
• Or...OR she looks like a healthy and happy 36-year-old. -kimmie_c_ 
• This is weirdly mean and hostile. She looks fantastic and has an amazing smile. - Garrett Bridges 
• She looks beautiful. People age. -Adryana 

This is only a small sampling of the over 5,000 comments on the post that now has nearly 5,000 quote tweets too, many of which call out the original post. Lots of users pointed out the problematic post, and showed their support for the latest actress to join the MCU, making comments like:

• I’m confused? She looks gorgeous & is aging wonderfully -leaveeidc 
• Emilia Clarke was beautiful when she was 22, she’s still an extremely beautiful woman here. She’s just aged…which hasn’t made her any less beautiful. I fail to see the problem with this picture🤔 -Cardinal Catboy 
• y’all are always saying u want a natural woman and then u see one choosing to forego botox/filler who looks literally perfectly normal and say she’s hit the wall. she looks beautiful -violentlyepic

Many comments also noted everything Clarke has been through, and how inappropriate it is to make comments that poke fun at peoples’ age and looks. Lots of people noted that the actress survived two brain aneurysms while filming Game of Thrones, and not only recovered, but she has gone on to have a thriving career, plus she's gorgeous. 

This year alone holds many exciting projects for Clarke that show how great she's doing. She’s set to have a film on the 2023 movie schedule with the clever sci-fi satire The Pod Generation. She’s also officially joining the MCU as part of the Secret Invasion cast, which is among Marvel’s slate of upcoming TV shows and set to premiere later on the 2023 television schedule. Based on her gorgeous unfiltered selfie that complimented her positive post, her ever-growing filmography, and the outpouring of support following the trolling, clearly, she’s doing great and many love and appreciate her. 

While sci-fi fans like myself wait for the highly-anticipated sixth season of Black Mirror to be released, one movie on the 2023 Sundance Film Festival lineup, The Pod Generation, provided the kind of 'what if' that could have fit with other episodes of the Netflix series. The movie stars Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke living in a version of the future where there’s an option to have a baby via a plastic (and very expensive) egg. My biggest takeaway from the whole thing is how probable it can feel. 

The Pod Generation takes aim at the fact that our phones control just about everything in our lives right now, so why wouldn’t it do so for childbirth someday? The movie from writer/director Sophie Barthes has a clever vision for what our futures could look like considering screen time is creeping up on more of our time than ever. But rather than it being some terrifying horror film, it’s an endearing and satirical approach to the topic, and it takes its audiences all the way down the road of its concept. 

The world of the film imagines the Siris and Alexas of the world being built into our homes and scheduling our entire lives. Because the world is so overrun with technology, Emilia Clarke’s leading character, Rachel, works for a tech company and has scheduled time to be in nature with a “nature pod” visit, where she sits in a chair and is fed scenes and sounds of natural life. Meanwhile, her husband, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Alvy, is a botany teacher who works around living plants all day. So when they get off the waitlist of getting an egg baby, Rachel is nervous to tell her husband she doesn’t want to have their child the old-fashioned way. 

The Pod Generation is the kind of movie that can kickstart some interesting discussions about the importance of pregnancy to having a baby. In a world where couples can have a child and place the womb on their shelf as a household object until it's ready, it especially speaks to the increasingly isolating world we find ourselves in when we can have so many things conveniently on our phones. When we do things like send a text message or have every song at our fingertips, there’s a bit of human connection that’s lost there. This movie takes it to the next level considering what we lose if pregnancy had the same access. The scary part underlying all this is the idea of tech companies having the very life of the next generations in their hands. 

There are positives to it too, as we see Rachel able to work, drink and relatively enjoy her life as she has a baby in the oven in their plastic pod. But what happens is Alvy feels desperate to bond to it and begins taking the role of a pregnant mother, spending night and day with the pod. There are a lot of intriguing ideas explored here, and the movie has already been awarded with the Feature Film Prize from the Sundance Institute Science-in-Film initiative with Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Per Deadline, the prize was awarded for the movie’s “bold” depiction of its world, along with its “woman artist’s exploration of shifting gender roles dissociated from biology.” 

The Pod Generation doesn’t have a place on the 2023 movie release schedule just yet, but we’ll keep you posted. As Emilia Clarke moves on from Game of Thrones, the franchise has, of course, continued with House of the Dragon and other upcoming Game of Thrones shows. 

The bonds built between the Game of Thrones stars are strong, and several cast reunions giving fans major FOMO since the show ended. But the connection between on-screen spouses Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke seems particularly rock solid. The two see each other quite often and appear to always show each other love whenever an opportunity presents itself. The two co-stars reunited again recently, and Momoa shouted out Clarke in a cute social media post. Also, as you would expect, their friendship is still too adorable.

Momoa and Clarke -- who played Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen, respectively -- met up again at Sundance Film Festival, where the latter was premiering her new film, The Pod Generation. Momoa couldn’t help but share his congratulations for the actress, and shared an adorable pic of the moment on his Instagram story. You can check it out below:

The Aquaman star always seems overjoyed to see his good buddy and, quite frankly, you love to see it. The Me Before You actress posted a sweet photo for Momoa’s birthday in 2019, and it showed the two of them hugging each other. She also shared a picture of another one of their adorable outings, and it involved Kit Harrington. Any time one sees posts like these, they can't help but miss seeing the pair and their co-stars on GoT. While it's sad that the series, is over, it's definitely comforting to know that they're all still so close.

Both Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke are certainly busy these days, which makes you wonder who they're able to make time for meet-ups. Momoa recently wrapped filming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom which is one of the most high-profile productions on the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. He is also set to star in upcoming Fast X, the latest film in the Fast and Furious franchise and is currently filming a TV show titled Chief of War. Momoa’s schedule is packed, to say the least, but I think he'd try to make space for his former co-star is she wanted to hang out or collaborate.

Clarke has also had a successful post-GoT acting career. Aside from The Pod Generation, she's also set to star in the Cold War film McCarthy alongside Michael Shannon. Most notably, she is co-starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the much-anticipated new Marvel show, Secret Invasion, which is set to premiere on Disney+ this year. The release date is TBA, but Disney+ subscription holders will be able to check it out very soon. It's probably fitting that both actors chose to try their hand at the superhero genre in recent years, and that's just another element that bonds them. One can only hope that the connection endures for years to come, and that they won't ever forget their time in Westeros.

Fans can revisit the complicated relationship between the actors' characters on Game of Thrones now, as it is currently streaming for anyone with an HBO Max subscription.

While House of the Dragon broke HBO viewership records, and many were enamored by the Game of Thrones prequel, the Mother of Dragons herself hasn’t been able to watch the series about her Targaryen ancestors. And instead of just saying she hadn’t watched it, or didn’t want to watch it, Emilia Clarke had a hilarious A+ answer as to why she hasn’t tuned into the mega-hit GoT prequel. 

In an interview with Variety Clarke was asked if she had watched HOTD yet. The actress thought about her answer for a second, nervously fidgeted and then hilariously said:

When I’ve talked with folks who thought House of the Dragon was too much, or “too weird,” typically it’s because they don’t like how violent and incestuous it is. I mean even the show's cast has admitted to how intense it is. For example, Milly Alcock talked about shooting an intense brothel scene where extras were “69ing for 12 hours,” and Matt Smith also said that making the show can be a lot sometimes. So, that would make sense if that was why Clarke didn’t want to watch the series. 

However, that was not why she avoided the show. The actress revealed that her reason for not watching is quite personal, and deeply tied to Game of Thrones. Clarke said: 

For the full experience of Clarke’s hilarious answer, you can watch it here: 

You know, I get it. If I were Clarke I’d think it would be weird to watch a show that’s so intensely connected to her character. I mean the Targaryen family tree is messy to say the least, and watching actors play out the stories of Daenerys' ancestors after she's been removed from Westeros for so long would be odd. I also think her comparison to going to a high school reunion that’s not your own makes total sense, and while I would love to hear her thoughts about HOTD, I respect her decision to not watch the series. 

While Clarke can’t bear to watch House of the Dragon, her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington loved it, the actor told ET Canada:

Clearly, it’s a case-by-case basis when it comes to how members of the Game of Thrones cast feel about the greater GOT universe. While Clarke is avoiding it, Harington is not only loving HOTD, but he’s in the process of coming back to Westeros as Jon Snow in a new sequel series. 

In conclusion, while Clarke is not totally sold on HOTD, you can watch the hit Game of Thrones prequel and its predecessor with an HBO Max subscription. Also, if you want to see what the actress behind Daenerys Targaryen is up to now, she’s set to star in Marvel’s Secret Invasion, which is on the 2023 TV schedule.

Star Wars is one of the most popular film franchises of all time, with generations growing up on the galaxy far, far away. A ton of content has been released since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, including live-action shows, the sequel trilogy, and a few standalone films. Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story is in the latter category, although plans for a sequel never came to fruition. And Solo’s writer recently explained why he still wants to see more of Emilia Clarke’s character Qi’ra.

Game of Thrones icon made a strong Star Wars entrance as Qi’ra in Solo, even getting to share a scene with Maul in his surprising cameo. Unfortunately we never got to see these narrative seeds bloom, thanks to the movie’s disappointing box office performance. Writer Jonathan Kasdan explained to THR why Clarke’s character was set up be such an important part of the franchise, saying:

And suddenly I’m feeling the need for a re-watch of Solo: A Star Wars Story. In the movie’s opening sequence, Han is able to escape Corellia, while Qi’ra is left behind and ends up joining Crimson Dawn. This one moment changed both of their lives’ forever, and by the end of the movie we see how it’ll further influence their future. Unfortunately we never got to actually see their story continue on the screen.

Jonathan Kasdan’s comments to THR come as he was promoting the release of the Willow series on Disney+. Eventually he weighed in on Solo, and the ongoing chatter online about the standalone movie finally getting a sequel. And it sounds like part of the reason why he’s still interested is related to Emilia Clarke’s performance as Qi’ra. 

Later in that same conversation, Jonathan Karsdan further explained what makes Qi’ra such a great character. Namely it’s how she’s not a hero or a villain, instead operating within the margins of the Star Wars universe. He spoke about the Solo breakout character by saying:

The dichotomy between Han Solo and Qi’ra would have presumably grown even more in a sequel, especially after she killed Dryden Vos and took his place. And having Maul as a boss would no doubt create some high stakes situations. Unfortunately there’s currently no plans for the studio to continue that story.

While Solo 2 was scrapped after the first movie’s performance at the box office, Qi’ra’s story was continued through comic books. What’s more, she even got to eventually meet Leia, which is a wild crossover that wouldn’t be possible on the big screen. Since we’re in a drought of Star Wars movies, I wonder if a second Solo movie would be even more appealing. 

All Star Wars movies are currently streaming on Disney+, where there will also be a variety of live-action shows airing throughout the year. In the meantime, checkout the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. We’ll just have to wait and see which if/when various announced Star Wars movies actually start filming.

Having already gained worldwide popularity for playing Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones and left her mark on the Star Wars franchise as Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story, now Emilia Clarke is lending her talents to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actress was cast in the upcoming Secret Invasion limited series back in April 2021, but until today, the identity of her character has been kept a tightly-guarded secret. But evidently it’s now been given away that Disney+ subscribers will see Clarke playing a popular Marvel mutant.

Secret Invasion has its own account on the gif website Tenor, and you know it’s the real deal by the verified check mark. All of the gifs on the account so far come from the first Secret Invasion trailer, including when Emilia Clarke’s character says “This is just the beginning” (shortened in the gif to just “It’s the beginning”). At a glance, this isn’t anything special, but if you look closely, the Clarke gif is called “Its The Beginning Abigail Brand GIF.” So assuming the person running the Secret Invasion Tenor account didn’t just throw that name in there for the hell of it, evidently Clarke is playing Abigail Brand, who’s been part of Marvel Comics lore for nearly two decades.

Created by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, and making her first full appearance in 2004’s Astonishing X-Men #4 after cameoing in the prior issue, Abigail Brand is a green-haired half human mutant/half alien. She has the ability to cover her hands in flames hot enough to burn through most metals, which stems from her mutant DNA rather than her alien roots. Abigail is best known in the comics as the leader of the Sentient World Observation and Response Department (S.W.O.R.D.), a S.H.I.E.L.D. counterpart that focuses on protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats. She has previously appeared on the animated TV shows Iron Man: Armored Adventures and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and was an NPC in the games Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth and Marvel: Avengers Alliance Tactics.

We’ve already spent some time with S.W.O.R.D. in the MCU through WandaVision, although the acronym stands for something different: Sentient Weapon Observation Response Division. In other words, the MCU’s S.W.O.R.D. purview extends beyond extraterrestrial threats, though since Secret Invasion is about a faction of the shapeshifting Skrulls infiltrating our society, it makes sense the organization would get involved. As for Emilia Clarke, assuming she is indeed playing Abigail Brand, I have some questions.

First, is she affiliated with S.W.O.R.D., and if so, is she leading the organization or is she a lower-ranking member during the events of Secret Invasion? My money’s on the latter since Monica Rambeau is better positioned to take over the group following WandaVision (assuming she doesn’t join the Avengers after The Marvels), but maybe Secret Invasion will pave the way for Abigail to start calling S.W.O.R.D.’s shots. Second, with Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel having been revealed as the MCU’s first mutant and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor the Sub-Mariner also confirmed to be a mutant, will Emilia Clarke’s Abigail retain her mutant background or has that been set aside? Finally, that gif of Clarke has her sporting brown hair, so has the MCU ditched Abigail’s traditional green hair, or will she get it later down the line through yet-to-be-revealed circumstances.

As often happens in the MCU, certain answers pave the way for more mysteries to be pondered, but hopefully Marvel Studios will confirm whether or not not Emilia Clarke is actually playing Abigail Brand sooner rather than later. Either way, look forward to Secret Invasion premiering on Disney+ sometime in early 2023, with Clarke’s castmates including Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, Don Cheadle, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Olivia Colman, among others.

There are beloved movie franchises, and then there’s the Star Wars movies. George Lucas’ colorful sci-fi world has entertained audiences for decades, with multiple generations brought up on the galaxy far, far away. But there have been some stumbles during this time, including the disappointing performance of Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story. But some moviegoers are still keeping their fingers crossed that the project gets a follow-up, with Solo’s writer recently sharing a message for fans hoping for a sequel.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is somewhat infamous for its on set drama, as well as the fact that it was the franchise’s first flop at the box office. But the movie’s ending definitely set up exciting ideas for a sequel, especially when Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra contacted Maul and moved up in the ranks of Crimson Dawn. Solo co-writer Jon Kasdan was recently asked by ScreenRant about whether we’d see some of the movie’s narrative seeds appear in the future, saying:

Well, that’s exciting. While there’s currently no plans announced to continue the story of Solo or bring Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra back to the screen, Jon Kasdan seems confident that it’ll happen sometime down the line. And with Star Wars expanding thanks to both movies and live-action shows, it certainly seems like no corner of the galaxy is out of reach.

As far as the Star Wars timeline goes, there is definitely a focus being put on the time after the prequel trilogy but before A New Hope. Case in point: Disney+’s new series Obi-Wan Kenobi, which has brought back Ewan McGregor in the title role. Could Crimson Dawn come into play for the series, and therefore feature a return by 48 Maul and Qi’ra? We’ll just have to wait and see, especially if more than one season is going to happen on the streaming service.

Of course, Qi’ra and Maul weren’t the only enticing cliffhangers to come from the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story. We also saw Alden Ehrenreich’s Han and Chewbacca depart in the Millennium Falcon to Tatooine, in hopes of striking a deal with Jabba The Hutt. And who doesn’t want to see more of Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian?

While Qi’ra hasn’t had another live-action appearance since Solo, she has appeared in Star Wars comics and even an animated short. Emilia Clarke seems like she’s still got passion for the character, so fans will have to wait and see if Jon Kasdan is correct in his assessment. Fingers crossed.

As previously mentioned, new Star Wars content is coming in the form of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Dune is almost here and shows every indication of an epic sci-fi experience that visually looks unlike anything that’s come before it. Dune star Jason Momoa has seen the film three times and loved it every viewing, even bringing his kids to see the movie. Momoa is an expert in epic stories about royalty and dynastic struggles thanks to his experience as Khal Drogo on Game Of Thrones, so jumping into Dune must have been familiar despite the sci-fi differences. Watch Jason Momoa Shout his Game of Thrones co-star Emilia Clarke ahead of filming a big Dune fight scene.

Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke had quite the journey in the first season of Game of Thrones. Emilia Clarkes Daenerys Tarygerean and Momoa’s Khal Drogo fell in love, ultimately having their relationship end in a tragic and heartbreaking turn of events would shape Daenerys journey and the show going forward. Momoa has posted a behind the scenes look at Dune on his youtube channel, and the highlight is definitely his shout out to his Khaleesi before filming a big fight, saying:

The behind-the-scenes video shows how Jason Momoa prepared for his role and how he went through the fight choreography, and before the big scene, he sent a shout-out to Emilia Clarke. Jason Momoa finished filming Dune long ago, long enough to shout out the Game of Thrones finale during production. Momoa only spent a season on the show but left his mark on the series playing such a favorite fan character despite his tragic end. Jason Momoa might have been confirming that he is firmly on the side of his queen after the events of the finale.

Jason Momoa plays Duncan Idaho, a great warrior and swordmaster that serves house Atreides, which is the family-run by Oscar Isaac’s Leto Atreides. Jason Momoa playing a formidable warrior that’s good with swords is pretty on brand, and hopefully, there is plenty of sequences in the film where he can show off his chops.

Dune Star Oscar Isaac has compared Dune to Star Wars and decided which one was the best as a joke, presumably to not upset fans on either side. Dune is an incredible cinematic experience, and it will hopefully get a part two. Stars like Javier Bardem are heavily invested in the story and want to continue Dennis Villeneuve’s vision, and all signs are pointing to that happening.

Jason Momoa has a stacked list of upcoming projects, including Aquaman 2, which just revealed a new suit for Momoa’s Arthur Curry, which is super cool. We can’t wait to see Jason Momoa in action as Duncan Idaho in Dune and his big fight scene dedicated to his Khaleesi.

Long before he met Leia Organa, Han Solo was sweet on Qi’ra, played in Solo: A Star Wars Story by Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke. However, by the time the 2018 Star Wars movie was over, Han and Qi’ra had embarked down different life paths, and it doesn’t look like Clarke will be reprising the latter anytime soon, if at all. Fortunately for fans of Qi’ra, she’s been featured in Star Wars comics in recent months, and we’ll be seeing even more of her in this medium later this year.

Marvel Comics’ Star Wars crossover event War of the Bounty Hunters launched in June, and at the end of the main event’s second issue, Qi’ra was unveiled as a major player in this story. After War of the Bounty Hunters wraps up this October, and the following month, Qi’ra will take center stage for her own limited series. The five-issue Crimson Reign is being written by Charles Soule and illustrated by Steve Cummings, and it will “reshape the history of the Star Wars galaxy during the Age of Rebellion.”

As Solo: A Star Wars Story viewers will remember, Qi’ra was last seen in that movie heading off to rendezvous with Darth Maul, who was the leader of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate at the time. By the time War of the Bounty Hunters unfolds, Qi’ra is leading Crimson Dawn, and in an interview with IGN, Charles Soule said that while he was wiring the current crossover event, Qi’ra formed in his mind as the narrative “secret weapon” he would deploy in Crimson Reign at a later date. Soule continued:

I won’t share any spoilers on how War of the Bounty Hunters is progressing, though needless to say that because the event is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, unfortunately Han and Qi’ra aren’t getting a proper reunion since Han is frozen in carbonite during this time. Nevertheless, these comics have allowed Qi’ra to re-enter the Star Wars picture following Emilia Clarke’s sole outing as the character, and however War of the Bounty Hunters ends, it’ll lay the groundwork for Qi’ra to take center stage in Crimson Reign. Charles Soule also noted that Crimson Reign will continue a trilogy that he began with War of the Bounty Hunters, so evidently there’s a closing chapter to this particular saga fans of Soule’s Star Wars work can look forward to at some point.

Although many Star Wars fans have frequently campaigned on social media for Disney and Lucasfilm to make Solo 2, given Solo: A Star Wars Story’s underwhelming commercial performance, it looks increasingly unlikely a sequel will ever happen. Though that’s not to say Emilia Clarke would never reprise Qi’ra, as she was moved by the character being included in the comics, and if the upcoming Lando Calrissian limited series for Disney+ follows Donald Glover’s younger incarnation of the character, maybe there’d be a way to fit her into that story. These days though, Clarke is keeping busy shooting Marvel’s Secret Invasion series.

Crimson Reign #1 will be available for digital purchase and your local comic book store this November. As always, keep your eyes locked on CinemaBlend for the latest and greatest news on upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

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After a year of delayed sets, a number of highly anticipated comic book movies are currently in the works. Case in point: James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, with the cast assembled to begin filming. This includes Amber Heard, although more fan art of Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke replacing her as Mera recently arrived online.

Actress Amber Heard has been making headlines for years due to her ongoing legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp. And after Depp was removed from his role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3, some fans began campaigning for Heard to be fired as DC’s Mera. Now fan art has imagined Emilia Clarke in that role, check it out below.

There you have it. Looks like the Mother of Dragons would look pretty badass as Mera in the DCEU. And as Emilia Clark prepares to join the MCU in Secret Invasion, there are clearly those who would like to see her replace Amber Heard in Aquaman 2. Although there’s no indication of that happening.

The above image comes to us from Instagram, and it isn’t the first bit of fan art that’s surfaced online featuring Emilia Clarke as Mera. Amber Heard and her team have denied any reports of her leaving the DCEU, with the actress hyping her upcoming appearance in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. But that hasn’t stopped online chatter from those who criticize her involvement.

DC fans can watch Amber Heard’s time in the DCEU so far on HBO Max. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Online petitions for Amber Heard’s removal from Aquaman 2 came in direct response to Johnny Depp being fired from the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Depp was asked to step down as Grindelwald after the U.K. courts ruled against the actor in his libel case against The Sun. And as the former couple continues to battle in court, there’s been no indication of Heard being given the same treatment by Warner Bros..

And as these rumors about Amber Heard swirl, including some involving Game of Thrones favorite Emilia Clarke, she’s continued to stay committed to the role of Mera in the DCEU as a whole. In addition to diving back into Atlantis in Aquaman 2, Mera recently reprised her role as Mera in reshoots for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. As such, moviegoers are especially invested in Heard’s signature character.

Exactly what Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will entail remains a total mystery at this point, but updates from the set are already going viral. Fans are eager to catch back up with the various characters from the underwater property, including Mera. We’ll just have to wait and see what James Wan has up his sleeve.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently set to arrive in theaters on December 16th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

After starring in one of the biggest TV shows known to man, both in scope and in viewership, Game of Thrones vet Emilia Clarke is now set up to join yet another massive franchise as part of the MCU's increasing lineup of Disney+ TV series. Having joined Secret Invasion somewhat unofficially in the spring, Clarke hasn't been able to say much about her new Marvel role opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn. And while she was finally able to say the name of her own series on The Tonight Show, it doesn't sound like HBO's spoiler security on Game of Thrones would have matched up with Marvel's secrecy standards.

During her virtual interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Emilia Clarke fielded a question or two about Marvel's Secret Invasion. I'm using the world "fielded" as loosely as it can be stretched, since the first thing she brought up was her paranoia and Marvel watchdogs. In her words:

Like many of us would similarly assume, Jimmy Fallon voiced the idea that Marvel execs probably had a bit more trust invested in Emilia Clarke, seeing as how she went through eight seasons of Game of Thrones, where spoiler secrecy was often just as notable as the storytelling. But it would appear Marvel has a fresh-slate way of viewing such things, and trust isn't so much a factor when it comes to details potentially leaking. Here's how Clarke reacted to Fallon's presumption:

Emilia Clarke ended that line of conversation looking bemused but also genuinely perplexed about how she'll be able to go on with life as a part of Marvel's Secret Invasion without being able to say anything about beyond directly pointing out that she can't say anything about it. And here she thought joining the MCU would just lead to having some giggles with friends. Which I suppose it still can, but only if those giggles aren't meant to be some kind of code that spreads Marvel secrets to others within earshot.

Check out the full segment below, which also talks about Emilia Clarke's new Marvel comic book M.O.M.: Mother of Madness, which hit shelves on Wednesday, July 21.

With the Secret Invasion cast still coming together, and will likely hit Disney+'s streaming library at some point in 2022. In the meantime, be sure to keep track of all the big 2021 Fall TV series that will be popping up soon.

House of the Dragon, the first major Game of Thrones spin-off, is making its way to our screens. Based on George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood book and set hundreds of years before the time of Daenerys Stormborn, the story will feature the Targaryens at the height of their power. Several actors are attached to the central Targaryen figures, including Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy and Paddy Considine. But Emilia Clarke, the Mother of Dragons herself, has a piece of advice for those actors who would be her fictional ancestors.

You may be imagining that Emilia Clarke's advice to the future of the Game of Thrones franchise would be to, perhaps, keep Starbucks cups out of the shot or to be careful to not spoil crucial details. Alas, no. It concerns the signature Targaryen white hair. In her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Clarke was asked if it would be worth it for the House of the Dragon actors to simply bleach their hair instead of wearing wigs. Her response:

Emilia Clarke notoriously bleached her own natural brown hair for the final (and divisive) season of Game of Thrones. The results were rather unfortunate as Clarke tells it. Apparently, it became “so fried” that she was forced to cut it into a Leonardo DiCaprio-inspired, “Romeo + Juliet boy cut.” The new House of the Dragon actors should heed the warning. In the iconic words of Jay-Z, “Hov’ did that, so hopefully you won't have to go through that.”

Though there's been some confusion over the rollout of these Game of Thrones spinoffs, we were recently treated to the first batch of images from the House of the Dragon set. The new players got the signature white hair (hopefully wigs) laid down nicely, and I'm already excited. Emilia Clarke saw those photos, too. She said:

As fans will remember, Daenerys Targaryen only had her brother in the first few seasons of Game of Thrones – until the character’s... dramatic exit. There was also that other blood relation of hers... some fans just wouldn’t know it until much later. In contrast, House of the Dragon is crawling with Targaryens, princes and dragon riders alike. Even a glimpse of one of the new dragons was caught in HBO’s recent teaser video. It couldn't really be called House of the Dragon without them, right?

HBO has confirmed that House of the Dragon will premiere in 2022. At least that's something to hold on to, as we seek to replace some of those regrettable scenes from the last season of Game of Thrones that are burned into our collective psyche. Prepare yourself, because the spinoff will supposedly be drastically different than the original series.

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Even though it's been a little over two years since Game of Thrones wrapped with its Season 8 finale, bringing the fantasy hit to a close, you could probably still begin a conversation with, "So, GOT, amirite?" and have anyone you say it to totally get your meaning. While it's never easy bringing a long-running fan favorite to an end, millions upon millions of fans were left angry / disappointed / unimpressed by much of what happened during the show's final season, including some of the stars. If you're wondering whether or not Emilia Clarke has now come to terms with the Game of Thrones ending, though, we have your answer.

Emilia Clarke got her big break playing Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, and went on to spend most of those eight seasons playing a character who was almost universally beloved by fans for quickly overcoming her terrible circumstances and taking full control of her life. Of course, that changed, a lot, as the last season drew to a close, and what appeared to be Dany's Mad King DNA took hold and made her do way more horrible things than many of us expected, leading to a shocking end for the short-term ruler of the Iron Throne.

Clarke has noted before that it took her a while to work through what was going to happen with Dany in the last season of Game of Thrones. But, she was recently asked by The Hollywood Reporter if she's now made peace with how her character arc ended, and said:

Ahhhh...Can you feel that? It's the sound of Emilia Clarke, and at least some of the fans who loved Dany and felt she was wronged by Game of Thrones Season 8, collectively relaxing into the fact that they can't change the finale and finally, fully, moving on. As Clarke noted, it will probably take her a long while until she can look at any of the show objectively, because it was just too massive of an experience and too big a part of her life as a young actor, but, it seems like these two years have been able to give her the distance she's needed to really deal with the ultimate outcome for Dany.

This may be why she was able to recently respond to a question about what scene she'd like to change in Game of Thrones with a bit of humor. Clarke excitedly answered that she'd change her final scene, in a way that only someone who's over it, but remembers the feeling of not being pleased with the ending, could.

Emilia Clarke went on to note that she's now pretty zen about much of what happened while working on GOT, and that's largely thanks to the actual time she spent on set, and with her character:

There! Did you hear it this time? More sighs of relief, my friends.

Emilia Clarke has moved on from Game of Thrones, and is gearing up for her MCU turn in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion, but if you'd like to relive GOT, you can do so on HBO Max. For more to watch, check out our guide to 2021 summer TV premieres!

It’s no exaggeration to say that Game of Thrones was one of the most popular television series of all time. The HBO epic won a long list of awards and had fans from all over the world. It may be hard to imagine being part of one such huge series, let alone two – but GOT star Emilia Clarke is preparing to add another blockbuster television show to her resume.

Emilia Clarke, better known to many as the platinum-haired Daenerys Targaryen, has signed on to appear in Secret Invasion, a new show set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Given the success of other Marvel programs, like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision, it seems likely that Emilia Clarke could be smack in the middle of another mega hit. But how does she feel about another big series? According to The Hollywood Reporter, she’s more than up for the challenge. Emilia Clarke said:

I’m glad that Emilia Clarke is down, because it could easily be scary for an actor to take on such a big project. Although it can’t hurt that she’s stepping into a Marvel property. When Thrones first premiered, it was an entirely new series. Anything made by Marvel, on the other hand, will already have a built-in fanbase. This doesn’t mean that the series won’t earn fans on its own merits, but it helps that so many viewers are already familiar with the MCU.

And, according to Emilia Clarke, it sounds like the Marvel actors are happy to sign up for the long haul. Many Marvel actors end up playing their characters for multiple films and even TV shows, like Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. If you can’t stand the company, why stick around for so long? Luckily, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Marvel. It must be less nerve-wracking for Emilia Clarke to sign a company’s contract when so many of her peers have had positive experiences.

Another factor that might have made Emilia Clarke hop in? Secret Invasion sounds awesome. Based on a 2008 Marvel comic series, it’s going to center around the Skrull, the alien shapeshifters we met in Captain Marvel. In the comics, the Skrull had infiltrated the Avengers and were posing as some of the famous heroes. We don’t know how the plot of the TV show will fit into Marvel’s Phase Four storyline yet, but anything involving mistaken identity is bound to cause trouble. It’s also unknown which character Emilia Clarke will play, but I’ve no doubt she’ll be awesome. After all, this is the Mother of Dragons we’re talking about.

Secret Invasion doesn’t have a release date yet, but CinemaBlend will be keeping you updated. In the meantime, you can check out a full release schedule for Marvel’s Phase Four.

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The Star Wars universe is chock full of great characters, each with their own unique characteristics and backstories. With this in mind, there are a number of them that could easily headline their own TV shows or films. Emilia Clarke’s Qi'ra falls into this very category The character has only appeared in one live-action project so far, but you can bet there are plenty of Star Wars fans clamoring to see her again. A Disney+ show would be ideal for the character, but could that actually happen? Well, Clarke has provided an update on where things stand with her character.

Beginning with The Mandalorian, the Star Wars franchise has been making a massive push into the realm of television. Numerous projects are slated to hit the small screen over the next few years, ranging from Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi to Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka. There’s also a Lando Calrissian show in the works, which may or may not see the return of Donald Glover’s iteration of the character. While discussing that series and others on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Emila Clarke revealed whether she’s heard about any projects concerning Qi’ra:

So it would seem Emilia Clarke is unaware of any potential project regarding Qi’ra. It’s definitely a shame, especially considering there are plenty of interesting things that can still be done with her character. Despite the uncertainty of her own Star Wars future though, Clarke does sound very excited about the Lando show. If the series does focus on Donald Glover’s iteration of the character, maybe Qi’ra could pop up at some point?

Qi’ra made her live-action Star Wars debut in the 2018 prequel film, Solo: A Star Wars Story. Introduced as a childhood friend and early love interest of Han Solo, Qi’ra would eventually become a lieutenant within the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate. However, following the death of leader Dryden Vos at the end of the film, Qi’ra takes command, under the watchful eye of Crimson Dawn leader Darth Maul. You can stream Solo on Disney+, which you can sign up for using this link.

Even though Qi’ra has yet to show up in another live-action film or TV show, the Star Wars franchise is still keeping her in the fold. The character has been brought back to the universe through the comic book world, as Qi’ra was revealed to be one of the players in the massive War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event. Emilia Clarke was more than pleased to learn that her character would be returning in some form, saying that being a part of the franchise is “an honor and a privilege.” Her character’s return was likely also a surprise to fans and, now that she’s back, some seem to be speculating on what her return could mean in regard to a Solo sequel.

A Disney+ show centered on Qi’ra could be interesting, as it would have the opportunity to further explore the vast, criminal underworld that’s present within the Star Wars universe. Qi’ra has likely had her hand in a number of shady deals, and a series could shed light on that part of her life post-Solo. Plus, the show could even give us even more Darth Maul, which is almost never a bad thing.

We’ll have to wait and see if Qi’ra does make a live-action turn but, given where the Star Wars franchise is headed, the idea of Emilia Clarke reprising her role isn’t out of the question. Let’s hope the Game of Thrones vet gets the chance to step back into the galaxy far, far away sometime soon.