Emilia Clarke Opens Up About Surviving Brain Hemorrhages During 'Game of Thrones'

In a heartfelt interview, Emilia Clarke reveals her experiences with two brain hemorrhages while filming 'Game of Thrones' and the emotional toll it took on her. She discusses her charity, SameYou, aimed at supporting brain injury recovery, and expresses her frustration over her character's controversial ending in the series. Clarke also clarifies salary rumors and reflects on her film career. Looking ahead, she is excited about her upcoming projects, including 'Next Life' at the Tribeca Film Festival. Discover more about her inspiring journey and future endeavors.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 30, 2026, 13:46 IST

Emilia Clarke's Brave Journey Through Health Challenges

Emilia Clarke has openly discussed her battle with two brain hemorrhages that occurred while she was working on the hit series ‘Game of Thrones.’ The actress, who is best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen, revealed the significant emotional impact these health crises had on her life. In a recent conversation with Variety, she shared, “For several years, I felt as if I had escaped death, but it was still lurking.”

The first hemorrhage struck after Season 1, followed by another after Season 3. These traumatic experiences led her to create SameYou, a charity aimed at aiding brain injury recovery, which she founded in 2019. “I understand the feeling of leaving the hospital without a clear path ahead,” she noted, emphasizing her dedication to assisting others facing similar situations.

Clarke also reflected on the contentious final season of ‘Game of Thrones,’ particularly the way her character, Daenerys, met her end at the hands of Jon Snow. She expressed her anger, stating she was “absolutely furious” about how her character was written off, a sentiment echoed by many fans who were dissatisfied with the series finale.

Additionally, she addressed the rumors surrounding the salaries of the main cast, clarifying that they did not receive the rumored USD 300,000 per episode. “We didn’t make that much. Can you imagine? I would have been driving a couple of Porsches!” she joked. Clarke also reflected on her roles in films like ‘Terminator Genisys’ and ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ acknowledging the mixed reviews these projects received.

Looking forward, Clarke is set to appear in the upcoming film ‘Next Life,’ which will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. She is also working on Prime Video’s ‘Criminal’ and Peacock’s ‘Ponies,’ with hopes for a second season. Clarke expressed her appreciation for her current situation, stating she feels lucky to be on “the other side” of her ‘Game of Thrones’ experience, eager to explore new opportunities in her career.