Emilia Clarke Feared Being “Pigeonholed for Life”—Her Fifty Shades Rejection Explained

Emilia Clarke, known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, was once offered the lead role in the steamy adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. While she was initially intrigued by the prospect, the actress ultimately turned down the role — and her reasoning sheds light on the challenges of navigating fame, typecasting, and the pressures of Hollywood.

During an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s Drama Actress roundtable, Clarke reflected on her decision, admitting that although she had immense respect for director Sam Taylor-Johnson, she ultimately couldn’t take on the role. “Sam is a magician,” she said, acknowledging Taylor-Johnson’s talent and vision for the film. However, Clarke knew she didn’t want to be cast in another role focused primarily on sex, nudity, and sensuality, which she felt would limit her career options.

“I did a minimal amount and I’m pigeonholed for life,” Clarke explained, recalling how she had already faced intense scrutiny over the intimate scenes she did for Game of Thrones. While she was comfortable with nudity in the right context, Clarke expressed frustration at the constant attention those scenes garnered in interviews. “It’s annoying as hell and I’m sick and tired of it because I did it for the character,” she continued. “No way am I going to voluntarily walk into that situation and then never be able to look someone in the eye and be like, ‘No, you can’t keep asking me this question.’”

Her sentiments resonate with many actors who find themselves pigeonholed into specific types of roles due to the nature of their work. Clarke had already encountered an overwhelming amount of questions related to her nudity in Game of Thrones, and she knew that taking on the role of Anastasia Steele would only reinforce that image. “It was just like, ‘No way am I going to voluntarily walk into that situation,’” she reiterated.

Clarke’s decision to pass on Fifty Shades of Grey allowed her to keep her career versatile and avoid being defined by one particular role. Instead of embracing another part based around physical intimacy, she took on a wide range of characters, building an eclectic and varied portfolio. Her filmography includes romantic drama in Me Before You (2016), sci-fi in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), comedy in Last Christmas (2019), crime in Above Suspicion (2021), and dystopia in The Pod Generation (2023).

By turning down Fifty Shades, Clarke made a conscious decision to pursue projects that aligned with her long-term vision for her career. Dakota Johnson ultimately took on the role of Anastasia Steele, and Clarke continued to build a career with a diverse set of roles that showcased her range as an actress.

Emilia Clarke’s decision to turn down Fifty Shades of Grey demonstrates her commitment to maintaining creative freedom and career longevity. It’s a choice that allowed her to choose roles that reflect her diverse interests and long-term vision, rather than being confined to one type of role. In the end, Clarke’s versatility and intentional career choices have helped her establish an enduring presence in Hollywood—one that extends far beyond Game of Thrones.