Emilia Clarke Feared She’d Get Fired From ‘Game of Thrones’ After Suffering Two Brain Aneurysms: ‘If I’m Going to Die, I Better Die on Live TV’

Emilia Clarke, known for her iconic portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen on HBO’s Game of Thrones, has opened up about the harrowing experience of returning to the show after surviving two life-threatening brain aneurysms. In a recent interview with The Big Issue, Clarke shared the deep fears and insecurities she faced, fearing that the condition might cost her the role that defined her career.

Clarke’s first aneurysm struck in 2011, during a critical point in her journey as Daenerys. It occurred between the filming of the first and second seasons of Game of Thrones and required immediate surgery. The actress recalled her initial fears that the injury would not only affect her health but also her professional future. “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,” she explained. The fear of being deemed incapable of continuing in the demanding role haunted her. “The first fear we all had was: ‘Oh my God, am I going to get fired? Am I going to get fired because they think I’m not capable of completing the job?'”

But the fear of losing her job was only one part of the battle. Clarke was also terrified that she might suffer another aneurysm on set, imagining the worst-case scenario unfolding in front of millions of viewers. She recalls the morbid thought: “Well, if I’m going to die, I better die on live TV.”

Unfortunately, Clarke’s nightmare materialized again in 2013 when she suffered a second brain aneurysm, necessitating another surgery. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday Morning in 2022, she revealed the extent of the damage: “The amount of my brain that is no longer usable – it’s remarkable that I am able to speak, sometimes articulately, and live my life completely normally with absolutely no repercussions.” Clarke went on to say that her survival was nothing short of miraculous, as she belongs to a “really, really, really small minority of people” who survive such a severe brain injury.

Despite these health struggles, Clarke’s resilience shone through. She not only returned to complete the role of Daenerys but also took steps to help others facing similar battles. Clarke founded the charity SameYou, dedicated to supporting individuals recovering from brain injuries and promoting mental health care.

The actress reflected on the profound emotional toll her experience took on her. “Having a chronic condition that diminishes your confidence in this one thing you feel is your reason to live is so debilitating and so lonely,” Clarke said. “One of the biggest things I felt with a brain injury was profoundly alone. That is what we’re trying to overcome.”

Through her openness, Clarke has offered inspiration and hope to countless individuals facing brain injuries, showing that even in the darkest times, it’s possible to find strength and rebuild.

Game of Thrones may have ended, but Emilia Clarke’s real-life heroism continues, both in her own recovery and through her efforts to change the lives of others.