# Emilia Clarke Hangs Up Her Dragon Wings: "You're Highly Unlikely to See Me on a Dragon Ever Again" Imagine the Mother of Dragons, soaring high on Drogon, flames lighting up the sky—now picture Emilia Clarke firmly closing that chapter forever. In a recent interview with *The New York Times*, the *Game of Thrones* icon declared she's **done with the fantasy genre**, stating, "You're highly unlikely to see me get on a dragon, or even in the same frame as a dragon, ever again."[1][2] Clarke, now 39, reflected on her eight-year journey as Daenerys Targaryen, a role that earned her four Emmy nominations and global fame but left her overwhelmed. "There was never any time to stop and consider the meaning of it," she shared, hinting at the intense pace of the show that made her a household name.[1][2] The series' controversial final season, where Daenerys turned into the "Mad Queen" and met a tragic end, fueled fan backlash—including a petition to remake it—which even co-star Kit Harington called out as angering.[1] Clarke herself was shocked by the scripts, later sympathizing with fans in a 2020 MTV interview: "I get why people are pissed."[2] This bold pivot comes as she promotes *Ponies*, her first lead TV role since *Game of Thrones* ended in 2019. Premiering January 15, 2026, on Peacock, the Cold War-era thriller casts her as Bea, a spy stepping into danger.[1][2][7] It's a thrilling shift to espionage, showcasing her desire for "autonomy over my choices, my work."[1] Meanwhile, the *Game of Thrones* universe thrives without her. HBO's spin-off *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* launches January 18, 2026, set 100 years before the original, while *House of the Dragon* gears up for more seasons.[3] Speculation about Daenerys sequels persists, but Clarke's words shut that door—no resurrections or dragon rides on the horizon.[4]
Emilia Clarke embracing a fresh chapter beyond Westeros. (Free stock image via Unsplash)
Citations
1.https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/emilia-clarke-leaves-fantasy-roles-behind-for-good-523773
2.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/game-of-thrones-star-emilia-clarke-may-not-return-to-the-fantasy-genre-hints-unlikely-to-see-me-get-on-a-dragon/articleshow/126522554.cms
3.https://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-game-of-thrones-movies-tv-shows/
4.https://screenrant.com/game-of-thrones-emilia-clarke-fantasy-genre-done/
5.https://www.avclub.com/emilia-clarke-done-with-dragons-comments-game-of-thrones
6.https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/game-of-thrones/emilia-clarke-done-with-dragons-comments-game-of-thrones
7.https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65657708/
8.
9.
---
This email was sent automatically with n8n