Game of Thrones fans are ever-passionate about their favorite Westerosi characters, and various actors have come forward to discuss the fates of the characters they have portrayed. Now, Emilia Clarke reportedly discussed the ending of Daenerys Targaryen while at Dreamit Con.
Clarke's opinion on the fate of her character is perhaps one of the most intriguing fans can hope to see, as many felt that the series writers failed Daenerys Targaryen. With Game of Thrones having ended in such a controversial manner, Daenerys Targaryen's ending was one of the most controversial. After spending season after season as an ostensibly heroic character, she took a dark turn in the latter half of season 8, eventually reducing King's Landing to ash and rubble via dragon fire. She was then killed by her lover, Jon Snow (Kit Harrington), who felt she had to be stopped before bringing destruction down wherever she wanted. It was an ending that left a lot of viewers feeling like the series rushed through the character's arc, improperly bridging Daenerys' turn from hero to villain.
According to reports by @oochotd, Emilia Clarke's appearance at Dreamit Con provided the actress with an opportunity to explain how she wishes the show ended for her character. Clarke's dream ending reportedly involved Jon Snow and Daenerys being alive and well and ending up together. “I want Daenerys to be with him, with Jon. They could go to family therapy and fix their issues. Daenerys is a very hopeful character, she has a lot of hopes and I wish that she was able to achieve that," Clarke is reported to have said. Her view of Daenerys as a hopeful character is in tune with what many fans thought of the character before she took her dark turn, which some believe was a change that hurt Game of Thrones.
It was further stated that Clarke remarked, "I still think Daenerys did nothing wrong. I'm on her side," and “It’s not fair that he [Jon] gets to live.” Jon Snow, who ended up beyond the remains of the Wall at the end of the series, existing freely as a wildling, had a more hopeful ending. Finally leaving behind the shackles of his duty, he was left with trauma, but also the ability to leave behind the duty that had proven to be a chain around his neck. The untitled Jon Snow sequel may prove to be less forgiving of an ending.
Clarke has made a few comments about her feelings about Daenerys' ending. The character was very near and dear to her heart, and she had gone through several personal health crises when she first started playing the role, so playing Daenerys marked an era in Clarke's life.
Despite her wish that the character had a different ending, Clarke has already made clear that she would not return as Daenerys in a Game of Thrones spin-off. It seems that she has closed that chapter in her life already and does not wish to revisit it. With the untitled Jon Snow sequel on the horizon, fans shouldn't expect to see a resurrected Daenerys on screen.
Game of Thrones is now available on HBO Max.