Emilia Clarke News, Rumors 2015: 'Game of Thrones' Actress Turned Down '50 Shades of Grey' Role

By Dondi Tiples, Christian Post Contributor Friday, March 27, 2015

"Game of Thrones'" Iron Throne aspirant Daenerys Targaryen would have been played by a different actress had Emilia Clarke chosen to accept the role of Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey."

English actress Emilia Clarke, known as the Mother of Dragons in HBO's epic fantasy miniseries "Game of Thrones," admitted she was offered the part of Anastasia Steele for "Fifty Shades of Grey," but turned it down due to the nudity required.

At that time, Clarke was concerned she would be labeled as an actress specializing in nudity if she signed up to submit to Christian Grey's dominant personality. And while she has appeared in the buff several times during her last four seasons as Daenerys Targaryen, she says she has no regrets turning down the role that won critical acclaim for Dakota Johnson and over $500 million in the box office for the film.

28-year-old Clarke has since won a 2011 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, as well as received a 2013 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Khaleesi, Breaker of Chains.

Her role as Daenerys Targaryen has propelled Clarke into the A-list rank and made her a household name, something the actress is still trying to come to terms with.

"Never in a million years did I think Game of Thrones was going to take off like it did," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's taken me five years to catch up with it. I'm still not sure I'm there."

According to the show's producer D.B. Weiss, hundreds of actors auditioned for the role of the rightful heir to the Targaryen throne, but only one was able to deliver a "Joan of Arc" level of messianic intensity.

Fans of Emilia Clarke will be seeing that charismatic force again when Daenerys Targaryen returns for season five of "GoT" on April 12. Clarke will also be appearing as Sarah Connor alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the retcon sequel, "Terminator Genisys" due out in theaters on July 1.