Emilia Clarke Reflects on Her “Stupid” Career Misstep—And Why She Doesn’t Regret the Lessons

Emilia Clarke, best known for breathing fire and steel into the role of Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, has built a reputation as one of her generation’s most versatile actresses. From the brutal power struggles of Westeros to intimate stage performances in The Seagull, Clarke has shown an instinct for roles that push her craft forward. Yet, even the most celebrated careers come with regrets, and Clarke has been refreshingly candid about hers.

In interviews over the years, Clarke has admitted that not every choice she made post-Thrones was the right one. Chief among them: her turn as Sarah Connor in the 2015 blockbuster Terminator: Genisys.

A Misstep in the Action Arena

During a 2019 conversation with Variety alongside her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington, Clarke spoke with characteristic humor about the “stupid action movies” both of them had taken on in the wake of their television fame. For Clarke, Genisys looms largest in that category.

Despite its pedigree—directed by Thrones alum Alan Taylor and fronted by Clarke alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger—the film failed to ignite with critics or audiences. Hopes that it would reboot the Terminator franchise fizzled when the movie stumbled at the box office and received tepid reviews. Clarke later admitted in Vanity Fair that she was actually “relieved” by its failure, bluntly stating, “No one had a good time making it.”

Owning the Experience

While Genisys was meant to catapult Clarke further into action stardom, the actress now views it as a cautionary chapter in her career. Her honesty underscores a rare willingness in Hollywood to acknowledge missteps rather than spin them. Clarke has framed the experience not as a failure, but as a lesson in choosing roles that align with her artistic instincts.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play characters who mean something,” she said in the Variety conversation, emphasizing that her future projects would continue to prioritize substance over spectacle.

Growth Beyond Regret

Far from being defined by a single role, Clarke’s career trajectory speaks to resilience and reinvention. Since Genisys, she has embraced a wide range of work: appearing in stage productions, headlining films like Me Before You, and continuing to challenge herself with character-driven storytelling.

Her willingness to reflect on regret makes Clarke relatable in a way few global stars are. In sharing her missteps, she reminds both fans and peers that success in Hollywood isn’t about avoiding mistakes, but about what you take from them.

The Daenerys Legacy—and What Comes Next

Though she will forever be associated with the Mother of Dragons, Clarke has made it clear that she is charting her own path beyond Game of Thrones. If anything, her candid acknowledgment of Genisys proves she is unafraid to stumble, so long as she continues to grow.

Her career misstep, then, isn’t a scar on her résumé but a stepping stone—another reminder that even the most powerful queens of the screen are still human.

Would you like me to also frame Clarke’s regret within a broader trend of “post-franchise struggles”—similar to what actors like Daniel Radcliffe or Robert Pattinson went through after their iconic roles? That could give the article a bigger cultural lens.