Emilia Clarke is an English actress known for her diverse roles. She gained international fame for playing Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series "Game of Thrones," earning her multiple Emmy nominations. She also starred in the "Star Wars" film "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and romantic films "Me Before You" and "Last Christmas." Her work spans both television and film, showcasing her acting range.
October 1986: Birth of Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke was born in October 1986 in London, England.
October 1986: Birth of Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke was born in October 1986 in London, England.
1990: Release of "Spike Island"
The movie "Spike Island," in which Emilia Clarke starred, centers around a group of friends trying to attend The Stone Roses 1990 concert.
2005: Completion of Secondary Education
Emilia Clarke graduated from St Edward's School in Oxford in 2005.
2009: Graduation from Drama School and Early Career
After graduating from drama school in 2009, Emilia Clarke worked various jobs while auditioning. She appeared in two commercials for Samaritans and had a bit part in the British soap opera "Doctors."
2009: Graduation from Drama Centre London
Emilia Clarke graduated from Drama Centre London in 2009.
2009: Acting Debut
Emilia Clarke made her television debut with a guest appearance in the BBC One medical soap opera "Doctors" in 2009.
2009: Early Stage Performances
While a student, Emilia Clarke appeared in stage productions, including "Twelfth Night" and "West Side Story" while at St Edward's School, and later in a 2009 production of "Sense."
November 2010: Release of "Triassic Attack"
Emilia Clarke's first credited professional film role, in which she played Savannah, was released in the television film "Triassic Attack" in November 2010.
2010: Casting of Emilia Clarke in "Game of Thrones"
Emilia Clarke was cast as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's "Game of Thrones" in 2010, replacing Tamzin Merchant.
February 2011: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Recovery
Emilia Clarke suffered a life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm in February 2011.
April 2011: Premiere of "Game of Thrones"
"Game of Thrones" premiered on HBO in April of 2011, starring Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen.
September 2011: Joining SMA UK Trust
Emilia Clarke joined the SMA UK Trust as a celebrity ambassador in September 2011, supporting their efforts to raise funds for spinal muscular atrophy research.
2011: "Game of Thrones" Premiere
Emilia Clarke made her debut as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series "Game of Thrones" in 2011.
2011: EWwy Award Win
Emilia Clarke won the EWwy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role in "Game of Thrones" in 2011.
2011: First Brain Aneurysm
Emilia Clarke suffered her first brain aneurysm in 2011.
2012: Release of Short Film "Shackled"
Emilia Clarke starred in the short film "Shackled," which was released in 2012.
April 2013: Conclusion of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on Broadway
Emilia Clarke concluded her run as Holly Golightly in the Broadway production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in April 2013.
May 2013: Casting of Emilia Clarke in "Terminator Genisys"
Emilia Clarke was cast as Sarah Connor in the science fiction action film "Terminator Genisys" in May 2013.
2013: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Emilia Clarke was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "Game of Thrones" in 2013.
2013: Casting of Emilia Clarke in "Terminator Genisys"
Emilia Clarke was cast as Sarah Connor in the science fiction action film "Terminator Genisys" in 2013.
2013: Second Aneurysm Surgery
Emilia Clarke underwent surgery for a second brain aneurysm in 2013.
2013: Second Brain Aneurysm
Emilia Clarke experienced a second brain aneurysm in 2013.
2013: Interview with Allure and Childhood Reflections
During a 2013 interview with Allure, Emilia Clarke discussed her upbringing, including her mother's rules and her experience being bullied for her eyebrows.
2013: Broadway Debut
Emilia Clarke made her Broadway debut as Holly Golightly in the 2013 play "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
2014: Voice Acting in "Game of Thrones" Video Game
Emilia Clarke lent her voice and likeness to the 2014 "Game of Thrones" video game.
2014: Voted Most Desirable Woman
In 2014, AskMen readers voted Emilia Clarke as the most desirable woman in the world.
March 2015: North American Distribution of "Spike Island"
"Spike Island," a comedy film starring Emilia Clarke, was picked up for North American distribution in March 2015.
2015: Release of "Terminator Genisys"
Emilia Clarke starred as Sarah Connor in the science fiction film "Terminator Genisys," which was released in 2015.
2015: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Emilia Clarke was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "Game of Thrones" in 2015.
2015: Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive and Other Accolades
Emilia Clarke had a successful year in 2015, being named Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive, receiving the GQ Woman of the Year Award, and appearing on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list.
2015: Dior's Rose des Vents Collection
Emilia Clarke became the face of Dior's Rose des Vents jewelry collection in 2015.
2015: Release of "Terminator Genisys"
"Terminator Genisys," starring Emilia Clarke, was released in 2015.
June 2016: "Me Before You" Film Release
In June 2016, the film adaptation of "Me Before You," starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin, was released. The film, directed by Thea Sharrock, received mixed reviews but achieved box office success.
November 2016: Casting in "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
Emilia Clarke was cast as Qi'ra in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in November 2016.
2016: Purchase of Venice Beach House
Emilia Clarke bought a house in the Venice Beach neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2016.
2016: Release of "Me Before You"
Emilia Clarke starred in the romantic drama "Me Before You" in 2016.
2016: Release of "Me Before You"
Emilia Clarke starred in the romantic drama "Me Before You" in 2016.
2016: Appearance on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List
Emilia Clarke was included in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list in 2016.
2016: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Emilia Clarke was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "Game of Thrones" in 2016.
2016: Emilia Clarke's Reflection on Upbringing
In a 2016 interview with Time Out, Emilia Clarke described her experience attending posh boarding schools, noting that she didn't quite fit in with the typical "posh girl" stereotype.
April 2017: "Voice from the Stone" Release
Emilia Clarke starred as Nurse Verena in the psychological thriller "Voice from the Stone" released in April 2017. The film had a limited theatrical release followed by video-on-demand and digital HD distribution.
August 2017: Becoming Patron of Open Door
In August 2017, Emilia Clarke became a patron of Open Door, a non-profit organization that assists young people in accessing drama school auditions.
2017: Recognition for Style and Attractiveness
Emilia Clarke continued to receive recognition for her style and attractiveness in 2017, appearing on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list and being included in Glamour's list of Best Dressed Women.
2017: Emilia Clarke Becomes One of the Highest-Paid Actors on TV
By 2017, Emilia Clarke reportedly became one of the highest-paid actors on television for her role in "Game of Thrones."
February 2018: Presenting at London's Centrepoint Awards
Emilia Clarke presented awards at the Centrepoint Awards in London in February 2018, an event that recognizes the achievements of homeless youth.
April 2018: Ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing
In April 2018, Emilia Clarke was named the sole ambassador for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). In her role, she advocates for increased investment in nursing and addresses misconceptions about the profession.
August 2018: Participating in Time's Up and "Leading Lady Parts"
Emilia Clarke joined the Time's Up movement in August 2018, advocating against sexual harassment and gender discrimination. She also participated in the short film "Leading Lady Parts," which addressed gender inequality in the film industry.
2018: Dolce & Gabbana Fragrance Ambassador
Emilia Clarke was announced as the brand ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana's fragrance "The Only One" in 2018. She starred in an advertisement directed by Matteo Garrone for the perfume.
2018: BAFTA Britannia Award and Academy Invitation
In 2018, Emilia Clarke was honored with the British Artist of the Year award at the BAFTA Britannia Awards and received an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
April 2019: "Saturday Night Live" Cameo
Emilia Clarke made a cameo appearance during Kit Harington's monologue on "Saturday Night Live" in April 2019.
May 2019: Final Season of "Game of Thrones"
The final season of "Game of Thrones," still starring Emilia Clarke, aired in May of 2019.
May 2019: Casting in "Let Me Count the Ways"
It was announced in May 2019 that Emilia Clarke would portray poet Elizabeth Barrett in the film "Let Me Count the Ways," to be directed by Björn Runge.
September 2019: YouTube Livestream Fundraiser
Emilia Clarke participated in a YouTube livestream fundraiser alongside Irish YouTuber Jacksepticeye in September 2019, raising over £200,000 for the SameYou charity.
October 2019: Status Update on "The Beauty Inside"
As of October 2019, the English-language adaptation of "The Beauty Inside," starring Emilia Clarke, had not yet begun production.
November 2019: Emilia Clarke's Thoughts on Being Typecast
In a November 2019 interview with NPR, Emilia Clarke shared that she wouldn't mind being typecast as "the mother of dragons."
2019: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination and Time 100 Recognition
Emilia Clarke was nominated for her fourth Primetime Emmy Award in 2019, including Outstanding Lead Actress for "Game of Thrones." Time magazine also named her one of the 100 most influential people.
2019: Essay in The New Yorker
In 2019, Emilia Clarke wrote an essay for The New Yorker, revealing her experiences with two brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013 and the subsequent health challenges she faced.
2019: Release of "Above Suspicion" and "Last Christmas"
Emilia Clarke starred in two films released in 2019: "Above Suspicion," a thriller based on the novel by Joe Sharkey, and "Last Christmas," a romantic comedy co-starring Henry Golding.
2019: Release of "Last Christmas"
Emilia Clarke starred in the romantic drama "Last Christmas," which was released in 2019.
2019: Launch of SameYou Charity
Emilia Clarke established the SameYou charity in 2019 to improve neurorehabilitation access for young people recovering from brain injuries or strokes.
2019: Conclusion of "Game of Thrones"
Emilia Clarke concluded her role as Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones" in 2019, when the show aired its final season.
2019: Emilia Clarke Reveals She Turned Down "Fifty Shades of Grey"
During a 2019 interview, Emilia Clarke shared that she had been offered but ultimately declined the role of Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey" due to concerns about the nudity required.
2019: Emilia Clarke's Perspective on Nudity in Acting
In 2019, Emilia Clarke discussed her evolving perspective on nudity in acting, sharing that she felt more empowered to make informed decisions about what she felt comfortable with.
January 2020: Interview with Bustle Magazine
In January 2020, Emilia Clarke discussed her inspiration for her role in "Last Christmas" in an interview with Bustle magazine.
March 2020: West End Debut in "The Seagull"
Emilia Clarke made her West End debut in March 2020 as Nina in Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" at the Playhouse Theatre. The production was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020: Virtual Play Reading for COVID-19 Relief
In September 2020, Clarke participated in a virtual reading of Noël Coward's "Private Lives" alongside other actors to raise funds for theater workers impacted by the pandemic.
December 2020: Sale of Venice Beach House
Emilia Clarke sold her house in the Venice Beach neighborhood of Los Angeles in December 2020.
2020: "Shackled" Featured in "Murder Manual" Anthology
The short film "Shackled," starring Emilia Clarke, was featured in the Amazon Prime Video horror anthology series "Murder Manual" in 2020.
2020: Clinique's First Global Ambassador
Cosmetics company Clinique appointed Emilia Clarke as their first global ambassador in early 2020.
2020: Emilia Clarke's Mother's Professional Role
As of 2020, Emilia Clarke's mother, Jennifer, was the vice-president for marketing at a global management consultancy firm.
2020: Public Leadership in Neurology Award
In 2020, the American Brain Foundation recognized Emilia Clarke's work in raising awareness about neurorehabilitation with the Public Leadership in Neurology award.
April 2021: Joining the Cast of "Secret Invasion"
Emilia Clarke joined the cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series "Secret Invasion" in April 2021.
October 2021: Casting as Jean Kerr in "McCarthy"
In October 2021, Emilia Clarke was cast to play Jean Kerr, wife of Joseph McCarthy, in the biopic "McCarthy."
2021: Emilia Clarke Expresses Desire to Change Character's Death
In a 2021 interview, Emilia Clarke expressed that she would have changed the way her "Game of Thrones" character, Daenerys Targaryen, died.
2021: Publication of "M.O.M.: Mother of Madness"
Emilia Clarke co-wrote and published the first issue of her comic book series, "M.O.M.: Mother of Madness," in 2021.
July 2022: Resumption of "The Seagull"
"The Seagull" resumed performances in July 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The production was broadcast internationally via National Theatre Live.
October 2022: Casting as Constance Lloyd in "An Ideal Wife"
It was announced in October 2022 that Emilia Clarke would star as Irish author Constance Lloyd in the film "An Ideal Wife," directed by Sophie Hyde.
December 2022: "The Amazing Maurice" UK Release
The animated film "The Amazing Maurice," featuring the voice of Emilia Clarke, premiered in the United Kingdom in December 2022.
January 2023: Premiere of "The Pod Generation" at Sundance
Emilia Clarke starred in and executive produced the film "The Pod Generation," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023.
February 2023: "The Amazing Maurice" US Release
"The Amazing Maurice" was released in the United States in February 2023.
June 2023: Premiere of "Secret Invasion"
"Secret Invasion," the Marvel series featuring Emilia Clarke, premiered on Disney+ in June 2023.
2023: Release of "Secret Invasion"
Emilia Clarke starred as G'iah in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries "Secret Invasion," which premiered in 2023.
February 2024: Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
Both Emilia Clarke and her mother, Jennifer Clarke, were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in February 2024 in recognition of their contributions to the SameYou charity.