The Mother of Dragons has officially grounded her flight. Emilia Clarke, the actress who became a global icon as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has confirmed she has no plans to return to the fantasy genre.
After spending nearly a decade at the center of HBO’s biggest hit, Clarke is ready to trade mythical beasts for Cold War intrigue. As she prepares for the premiere of her new NBC espionage thriller, Ponies, the actress made her stance clear.
“You’re highly unlikely to see me get on a dragon, or even in the same frame as a dragon, ever again,” Clarke told The New York Times.
The “Mad Queen” Twist: Why the Finale Still Stings
Clarke’s decision to move away from fantasy may be rooted in the “tumultuous” experience of the Game of Thrones series finale. Like many fans, Clarke was blindsided by Daenerys Targaryen’s rapid descent into the “Mad Queen.”
Recalling the moment she first read the final script, Clarke told Entertainment Weekly her reaction was one of pure shock: “What, what, what, WHAT!? Because it comes out of f****** nowhere. I’m flabbergasted. Absolutely never saw that coming.”
The emotional toll of the character’s end led Clarke to take a five-hour walk to process the news. “I cried… I walked back with blisters on my feet. I’m like, ‘How am I going to do this?’”
Seeking Validation: “Is Daenerys a Good Person?”
The actress even turned to her family for a “vibe check” on her character’s morality before the episodes aired, without spoiling the plot.
• The Phone Call: She asked her mother to “talk her off a ledge” after reading the scripts.
• The Identity Crisis: She began asking her brother and mother if they thought Daenerys was a “good person.”
• The Family Reaction: Her family was reportedly confused by the sudden intensity, asking, “Why do you care what people think of Daenerys? Are you OK?”
What’s Next for Emilia Clarke?
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Clarke back on screen, though she’ll be swapping Targaryen robes for 1970s attire.
Her new series, Ponies, is an espionage thriller set in Moscow during the Cold War. Clarke stars as a secretary at the American Embassy who becomes an operative after her husband is killed under mysterious circumstances.
Where to Watch:
• Series: Ponies
• Platform: Peacock / NBC
• Release Date: January 15, 2026