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.
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.
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.
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.
-
Taylor Swift Sweetly Dishes on Travis Kelce With a Young Swiftie at Children's Hospital"I like Travis now," the fan shared.
-
I Found the Most Luxe Beauty Stocking Stuffers Your Friends Actually WantBeauty editor-tested and approved.
-
Princess Kate's Sculpted Cheeks Could Be the Work of This Insider-Loved TreatmentThe technique also has Meghan Markle's stamp of approval.
-
Sophie Turner Says She Was "Widely Misquoted" After Discussing Being a Single Mother"I applaud single mothers doing it alone."
-
Sophie Turner Just Went Instagram Official With Peregrine Pearson After Joe Jonas DivorceThe actress shared some sweet snaps of her new boyfriend days after finalizing her divorce.
-
Prince William Just Awarded Medals to Emilia Clarke and Her Mom for Charity WorkA bit of good news to get you through the week.
-
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."
-
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.
-
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Are Expecting Their First ChildGame of Thrones actors Kit Harington and Rose Leslie are expecting their first child.
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Have Sansa's Throne From the 'Game of Thrones' Finale in Their HouseSophie 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.
-
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas' Baby Name, Willa, Has a 'Game of Thrones' ConnectionSophie Turner and Joe Jonas welcomed their first child, a girl named Willa, on July 22—and the name has a Game of Thrones connection.
