When Emilia Clarke first graced the screen as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones, she captivated audiences worldwide with her fierce portrayal of the Mother of Dragons. Clarke’s ascent to international stardom seemed meteoric, but like many actors, her journey was anything but overnight. Before landing the role that would forever change her life, she had spent years honing her craft through a series of smaller roles on stage and screen. This article dives into Clarke’s career pre-Game of Thrones, highlighting her early days in theater, her first major screen role, and some lesser-known parts that shaped her into the powerhouse actress she is today.

Emilia Clarke’s Early Career

Before becoming the platinum-haired Queen of Meereen, Emilia Clarke was a young actress cutting her teeth in the world of British theater and television. Born in London in 1986 and raised in Berkshire, Clarke grew up surrounded by the arts—her father was a sound engineer for the theater, and this proximity to the stage likely played a role in sparking her passion for acting. Her early dreams of performing were nurtured through schooling and early-stage performances, setting her on the path that would eventually lead to global fame.

Clarke’s formal acting education began at the Drama Centre London, a prestigious school where she studied for several years. It was during this time that Clarke immersed herself in theater, performing in productions that honed her abilities to portray a wide range of characters. These early experiences in front of live audiences provided the foundation for the poise and emotional depth she would later bring to her roles on screen.

But breaking into television and film wasn’t easy. Like many aspiring actors, Clarke started with small roles—some so brief they’re almost forgotten by history, others providing a glimpse into her budding talent. For Clarke, the years before Game of Thrones were marked by a series of minor roles in British television and short films that allowed her to build her portfolio and gain on-set experience.

Her First Major Screen Role: Triassic Attack (2010)

In 2010, Clarke landed her first major screen role in Triassic Attack, a SyFy Channel original movie that featured Clarke in the leading role of Savannah. Directed by Colin Ferguson, Triassic Attack was a campy, low-budget science-fiction film that followed the story of three dinosaur skeletons magically brought to life to terrorize a small town. Clarke’s character, the local sheriff’s girlfriend, gets caught in the chaos of the undead dinosaurs’ rampage. While the film did not receive much critical acclaim and was very much in line with SyFy’s formula of B-movie monster flicks, it marked a crucial stepping stone in Clarke’s career.

Triassic Attack may not have been a blockbuster, but it was Clarke’s first taste of headlining a feature-length production. The role required her to balance action sequences with moments of emotional intensity—a challenge for any actor, especially one still finding their footing in the industry. The film itself was a far cry from the grandiose production values and storytelling depth of Game of Thrones, but it gave Clarke the opportunity to prove that she could lead a film, no matter how modest the project. The experience would serve her well in the years to come as she transitioned into more significant roles.

Guest Roles in British Television

Before Triassic Attack, Clarke had appeared in several British television shows, though her roles were brief and often easy to overlook. Her first credited role came in 2009 when she appeared in an episode of the long-running BBC medical drama Doctors. In this series, Clarke played a character named Saskia Mayer, a young woman dealing with the emotional and psychological ramifications of a traumatic event. The role required Clarke to delve into some heavy material, but with only one episode to showcase her talents, it was hardly the breakout role she needed.

Doctors has long been a proving ground for young British actors, offering them opportunities to tackle complex subject matter in a familiar soap-opera format. Though Clarke’s appearance was short-lived, it was a valuable learning experience. It introduced her to the rigorous demands of television production and helped her start to build a network of industry contacts. However, it would be a few more years before Clarke landed a role that could propel her out of relative obscurity.

Following Doctors, Clarke continued to seek out opportunities, but the next few years were marked by roles that didn’t quite catch fire. She had a brief appearance in the British TV film Spike Island (2012), a coming-of-age drama about a group of friends attending a legendary concert by the Stone Roses. In this film, Clarke played a character named Sally, though the role was relatively minor. Once again, Clarke demonstrated her potential, but these smaller projects were merely stepping stones.

Other Lesser-Known Roles

Clarke’s early career also included a few blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances in short films and commercials that remain lesser-known to the general public. One such short film was Shackled (2012), a gothic-inspired thriller where Clarke portrayed a woman held captive in a mysterious cellar. Though Shackled did not make waves in the larger film world, it allowed Clarke to experiment with more intense, emotionally-driven performances, which would later become a hallmark of her acting style.

She also appeared in a commercial for the charity organization Samaritans, a helpline offering emotional support. The role was part of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, and though it was a small-scale project, Clarke brought her signature empathy and nuance to the part. These lesser-known roles, while not as high-profile as her later work, demonstrated that Clarke was willing to explore a variety of characters and genres, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

The Role That Changed Everything: Game of Thrones

By the time Clarke was cast in Game of Thrones, her career was still in its infancy. The casting process for Daenerys Targaryen was long and grueling, with numerous actresses auditioning for the role. Clarke’s performance during her audition reportedly included an impromptu “chicken dance,” which charmed the producers and convinced them that she was the right fit for the character. Her lack of major roles prior to Game of Thrones likely worked in her favor, as it allowed viewers to fully immerse themselves in her portrayal of Daenerys without any preconceived notions about her acting.

Daenerys, as conceived by George R.R. Martin and brought to life by Clarke, was a complex character: a young woman who begins as a frightened girl, sold into marriage, and evolves into one of the most powerful figures in Westeros. The role required Clarke to embody vulnerability, strength, compassion, and ruthlessness, often in the same scene. Her journey from an unknown actor to a household name was swift, and it’s difficult to overstate the impact that Game of Thrones had on her career.

Clarke’s transformation on screen mirrored her own personal growth as an actress. Daenerys’ arc from a timid bride to the Breaker of Chains paralleled Clarke’s journey from relative obscurity to global stardom. While her early roles had allowed her to develop a range of skills, Game of Thrones was the platform that brought those skills to the world’s attention. It’s hard to imagine another actress in the role now, but at the time, Clarke’s casting was considered something of a gamble—one that paid off spectacularly.

Comparison with Game of Thrones

Looking back on Clarke’s early roles, it’s fascinating to see just how far she has come. In Triassic Attack, she was the lead in a cheesy sci-fi movie, battling CGI dinosaur skeletons in a relatively low-budget production. In Doctors, she played a minor guest role in a daytime soap. And in her lesser-known roles, she often appeared for mere moments on screen. Contrast that with her role in Game of Thrones, where Clarke carried entire storylines and commanded the screen as one of the show’s most compelling and powerful characters.

The difference is stark, not just in terms of production value, but also in the depth of the roles themselves. Clarke’s earlier parts were often more one-dimensional, confined by the limitations of the medium and the size of the production. By the time she took on the mantle of Daenerys, Clarke had matured into an actress capable of delivering layered, nuanced performances that resonated with audiences around the world.

Conclusion: From Unknown to Superstar

Emilia Clarke’s rise to fame is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent. Her early career, marked by small roles in British television and minor films, was not glamorous, but it was essential in shaping her into the actress she is today. Each part, no matter how small, provided her with the experience and skills she would need to take on the role of a lifetime in Game of Thrones.

Clarke’s journey from unknown theater student to international superstar is nothing short of remarkable. She went from playing bit parts in British television to becoming the face of one of the most iconic characters in modern television history. In the years since Game of Thrones, Clarke has continued to evolve as an actress, taking on a variety of roles in films like Me Before You (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). But it is her journey before Game of Thrones—the years of hard work, persistence, and lesser-known roles—that truly highlight her dedication to her craft. And that journey, much like Daenerys’ own rise to power, is what makes Clarke’s story all the more inspiring.