The Game of Thrones Episode That Nearly Broke Emilia Clarke—And Kit Harington’s Surprising Role in It

Emilia Clarke, known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has often shared insights into her experience on the show, especially when it comes to working alongside Kit Harington, who portrayed Jon Snow. The dynamic between their characters, which evolved from a sibling-like bond to a romantic relationship, added a unique layer to their on-screen chemistry. Clarke’s relationship with Harington off-screen was often described as brotherly, and that deep friendship made certain scenes particularly challenging to film.

Two episodes stand out as potential candidates for the toughest filming experiences: The Dragon and the Wolf (Season 7, Episode 7) and The Iron Throne (Season 8, Episode 6). Both episodes featured significant moments between Jon and Daenerys, but the emotional and physical challenges they posed were very different.

“The Dragon and the Wolf” – The Awkward Intimacy

In The Dragon and the Wolf, the penultimate episode of Season 7, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen share their first intimate scene. For Clarke, filming these moments was particularly awkward, as she openly discussed in interviews. In a candid confession to IMDb, she shared that Harington often pretended to be sick before the scene, which only added to the discomfort. This lighthearted attempt at easing the tension on set made the process more challenging. In other interviews, Clarke revealed that the presence of her “brother” on set added an extra layer of awkwardness to the scene, especially given the incestuous nature of their characters’ eventual relationship, a fact that was not known to their characters at the time of filming.

Despite the discomfort, Clarke also expressed that the awkwardness was balanced by Harington’s humor and lighthearted antics, helping to alleviate the tension. The scene itself, which marked the beginning of a romantic relationship between Jon and Daenerys, was a significant moment in the series, making the behind-the-scenes challenges more poignant.

“The Iron Throne” – The Emotional Farewell

In contrast, The Iron Throne, the final episode of Game of Thrones, presented a much more emotionally taxing experience. This episode, which culminated in Jon Snow killing Daenerys in the throne room, marked the end of Daenerys’s journey and the conclusion of Clarke’s beloved character. Clarke has openly discussed the emotional toll of filming this scene, where Jon’s betrayal of Daenerys came as a complete shock, even to the actors.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clarke revealed that she read the script for the finale seven times, each time feeling “flabbergasted” by the turn of events. She was taken aback by the shocking decision to kill Daenerys, which had a significant emotional impact on her. Clarke’s emotional response during the table read was captured in various articles, with StyleCaster noting her physical reaction as she slid down in her chair, stunned by the plot twist. For Harington, the scene was just as intense. As reported by Metro News, filming the scene took three weeks, with only a page and a half of dialogue, emphasizing the weight of the moment and the emotional strain it placed on both actors.

This emotional weight was compounded by Clarke’s mixed feelings about the final outcome, as she later admitted in a 2020 IndieWire interview. Clarke expressed frustration that Jon “got away with murder,” revealing lingering feelings of disappointment over the series’ conclusion and its impact on her character. The length and intensity of the filming process, coupled with the emotional complexity of the scene, made The Iron Throne a particularly tough experience for Clarke.

The Friendship Behind the Scenes

While both episodes presented challenges, the nature of the difficulty differed. The Dragon and the Wolf was tough due to the physical and emotional awkwardness of filming intimate scenes with someone Clarke considered a close friend, making the romantic moments harder to portray authentically. On the other hand, The Iron Throne was emotionally exhausting due to the finality of Daenerys’s death and the lengthy process of filming such a pivotal moment in the series.

Their off-screen friendship also added an extra layer of complexity. Clarke and Harington’s bond, often described as sibling-like, made the final confrontation between Jon and Daenerys even more emotionally charged. Harington’s deep respect for Clarke and their shared dark sense of humor, as noted in HarpersBazaar, helped them navigate some of the more difficult moments, but it also made moments like Daenerys’s death feel even more poignant.

Conclusion: The Toughest Episode

While Clarke has not explicitly singled out The Iron Throne as the toughest episode in her career, the emotional toll of filming the final scene with Harington seems to have left a lasting impact. The intensity of the final scenes, coupled with the deep emotional connections between the two actors, makes it the likely candidate. However, The Dragon and the Wolf should not be overlooked, as it was challenging in its own right due to the awkwardness of filming intimate scenes with a close friend and the complicated dynamics of their characters’ evolving relationship.

Ultimately, both episodes showcased the depth of Clarke and Harington’s on-screen and off-screen chemistry, proving that even the most challenging moments in Game of Thrones were grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to telling a powerful story.