Emilia Clarke Turned Down 'Fifty Shades' Because She Was Sick Of This Sexist Question
The “Game of Thrones” star passed on the opportunity to play Anastasia Steele because of the way many people responded to Daenerys Targaryen.
Emilia Clarke had the opportunity to play the lead in 2015’s “Fifty Shades of Grey,” but turned down the role because of sexism.
In The Hollywood Reporter ’s annual “TV Drama Actress Roundtable” discussion, published Thursday, Clarke said the experience of playing Daenerys Targaryen in “ Game of Thrones ” had quite an impact on her.
Throughout the duration of the HBO hit, Clarke’s character had a handful of nude scenes. Most of them were meant to highlight the character’s eventual journey from an abused girl thought of as property to a fierce (and ultimately ruthless) ruler.
But as Clarke put it, people were laser-focused on her naked body.
Due to this, Clarke passed on playing Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades,” a highly sexual role.
“Well, [‘Fifty Shades’ director] Sam [Taylor-Johnson] is a magician. I love her, and I thought her vision was beautiful,” Clarke, 32, said during the conversation. “But the last time that I was naked on camera on [‘Game of Thrones’] was a long time ago, and yet it is the only question that I ever get asked because I am a woman.”
“And it’s annoying as hell and I’m sick and tired of it because I did it for the character,” she went on. “I didn’t do it so some guy could check out my tits, for God’s sake.”
Clarke felt like she “did a minimal amount and I’m pigeonholed for life,” so the role eventually went to Dakota Johnson. The movie went on to earn $166 million domestically and $571 million worldwide, per People , spawning the sequels “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed.”
It seems like the possibility of doing a project that involves sequels was also a daunting proposition for Clarke, given she was tied to an insanely popular TV show for about a decade.
“One thing I would not like to do is something that would have a sequel,” Clarke said. “Something that could have, like, ‘And then two and then three and then four.’ I’d like to not do one of those for a minute.”
'I wanted the medical staff to let me die': Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke reveals harrowing ordeal of life-threatening stroke
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones - Home Box Office
Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has broken a long-held silence to reveal she survived a life-threatening stroke.
The actress suffered a potentially fatal brain haemorrhage in 2010 before having major surgery that left her unable to recall her own name. Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryenin the fantasy TV series, lived with a time-bomb aneurysm in her skull for three years before again suffering a bleed in her brain. Doctors immediately operated by opening up her skull.
Clarke has launched SameYou, a charity aimed at supported young people with brain injuries, and help them to access resources. She said she wants to break her silence over her near-fatal brain injuries to help others who are suffering from the "invisible illness".
"I know from personal experience that the impact of brain injury is shattering," Clarke said. "Recovery is long-term and rehabilitation can be difficult to access. Brain injury can be an invisible illness and the subject is often taboo. We must help young adults take control of their recovery and allow them to open up without fear of stigma or shame."
The actress was making inroads as the fearsome queen Daenerys in Game Of Thrones when her workout was interrupted by enormous pressure on her brain.
She wrote in The New Yorker: "I reached the toilet, sank to my knees and proceeded to be violently, voluminously ill. Meanwhile, the pain – shooting, stabbing, constricting pain – was getting worse. At some level, I knew what was happening – my brain was damaged."
She was revealed to have suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a kind of stroke, and underwent surgery. Many victims do not survive the initial haemorrhage.
After the surgery, she was distraught to find she was suffering from aphasia, which left her "muttering nonsense" and unable to remember her own name.
"In my worst moments, I wanted to pull the plug, she wrote. "I asked the medical staff to let me die. My job—my entire dream of what my life would be—centered on language, on communication. Without that, I was lost." It took a week for her aphasia to pass.
Clarke again underwent surgery 2013 after suffering a bleed on the brain, and over the years has made a full recovery.
The actress now wants to support others who have suffered the same fears and pains.
She said: "The degree to which people can adapt and face the future after neurological trauma is dependent on the quality and provision of rehabilitation care.
"While I was recovering, I saw that access to integrated mental and physical health recovery programs are limited and not affordable for all.
"I am determined to help."
SameYou raises funds and advocates for a "revolution in neurorehabilitation" provision for young adults.
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