Emilia Clarke Was Scared She'd Be "Fired" From 'Game of Thrones' Over Brain Injuries
Heartbreaking.
![Emilia Clarke](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rvEhc2jA9nnUwaQ8o5Le3c-415-80.jpg)
Emilia Clarke has been open about her brain injuries and subsequent surgeries over the years, and in a new interview, she opened up about the very real fears these episodes of her life awoke in her.
"When you have a brain injury, because it alters your sense of self on such a dramatic level, all of the insecurities you have going into the workplace quadruple overnight," Clarke told U.K. social enterprise magazine the Big Issue.
"The first fear we all had was: 'Oh my God, am I going to get fired [from Game of Thrones, on which she played Daenerys Targaryen between 2011 and 2019]? Am I going to get fired because they think I’m not capable of completing the job?'"
Clarke was back at works within weeks of her first brain injury, and was terrified that the pressure of it all would cause a second one. "Well, if I’m going to die, I better die on live TV," she thought at the time.
A post shared by Big Issue (@bigissueuk)
A photo posted by on
In 2019, the Me Before You actress wrote a deeply personal essay in the New Yorker about her health problems. She revealed that she's suffered one aneurysm in 2011, when she was 24, and underwent brain surgery at the time.
In that essay, she wrote, "Season 2 would be my worst. I didn’t know what Daenerys was doing. If I am truly being honest, every minute of every day I thought I was going to die."
In 2013, Clarke had to have a second brain surgery, this time a more invasive one, for which the recovery was even more painful than the first time around.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
But while the actress admitted that there were times she felt herself lose all hope while all of this was happening, she founded the charity SameYou in 2019 to give hope to others who are recovering from brain injuries.
Earlier this year, Clarke and her mom were invited to Windsor Castle, where Prince William awarded them with MBEs for their work with SameYou.
A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
A photo posted by on
Another royal link? The Big Issue, which supports people in the U.K. impacted by poverty, also happens to be the magazine Prince William has taken to the streets in the past to sell to passersby—as part of his commitment to helping those affected by homelessness.
A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
A photo posted by on
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
As 'He's Just Not That Into You' Turns 20, Its Authors Reflect on Just How Much (and How Little) Dating Has Changed
The self-help book born out of 'Sex and the City' sparked a break-up revolution and became a pop culture phenomenon.
By Liz Doupnik Published
-
Why Prince Harry is Eager to Bring Meghan and their Kids to the U.K. — and What's Stopping Him
The Duke of Sussex faces one major travel hurdle.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Every Trending Luxury Item to Buy on eBay This Fall
Sponsor Content Created With eBay
By Natalie Gray Herder Published
-
Prince William Just Awarded Medals to Emilia Clarke and Her Mom for Charity Work
A bit of good news to get you through the week.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Maisie Williams Got Real About Why 'Game of Thrones' Made Her Feel "Lost"
"It's hard to even put myself back there and talk about how tough it was."
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Sophie Turner Addresses Kit Harington Making More Money Than She Does on 'Game of Thrones'
Sophie Turner discusses the fact that Kit Harington earns more than she does on Game of Thrones. The actress says she's fine with the disparity.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Are Expecting Their First Child
Game of Thrones actors Kit Harington and Rose Leslie are expecting their first child.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Have Sansa's Throne From the 'Game of Thrones' Finale in Their House
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas now own Sansa Stark's throne from the final episode of Game of Thrones, as Turner revealed on her Instagram Story.
By Emily Dixon Published
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas' Baby Name, Willa, Has a 'Game of Thrones' Connection
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas welcomed their first child, a girl named Willa, on July 22—and the name has a Game of Thrones connection.
By Emily Dixon Published
-
56 Actors Who Were Replaced on Their Own TV Shows
Did the showrunners think we wouldn’t notice, or...?
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
93 Behind-the-Scenes 'Game of Thrones' Pictures That Will Destroy the Magic for You
Warning, if you're a fan of 'Game of Thrones' these behind-the-scenes cast images could ruin the magic for you ahead of the April 14 season 8 premiere.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published