Emilia Clarke Says Jason Momoa Cried More Than She Did During Intense Game of Thrones Scenes

Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa’s on-screen pairing as Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo in HBO’s Game of Thrones remains one of the show’s most memorable relationships. But according to Clarke, the behind-the-scenes reality was far more emotionally charged — and surprisingly, it was Momoa who shed more tears during their most difficult scenes.

A Daunting Start for a Young Actress

When Clarke joined Game of Thrones at just 23, she was stepping into one of the most physically and emotionally challenging roles of her career. Season one’s early episodes depict a complicated and controversial relationship between Daenerys and Drogo, including a wedding night scene involving sexual violence — a moment that has since been widely debated and criticized.

Clarke has described the experience as overwhelming, citing “imposter syndrome times a million” and admitting she felt “terrified” as she navigated scenes that involved nudity and intense emotional stakes.

Momoa’s Empathy on Set

By the time he took on the role of Khal Drogo, Momoa was already an experienced actor — and, as Clarke recalls, an exceptionally considerate co-star. He went out of his way to ensure her comfort, from making sure she had a robe to keep warm between takes to offering constant emotional support.

Speaking on the Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard podcast, Clarke revealed that Momoa struggled deeply with the nature of some of their scenes, saying, “He was crying more than I was.” The admission underscored the emotional toll the work took on him, as he grappled with the moral weight of playing a character capable of such violence.

Momoa himself has been candid about his discomfort, comparing Drogo to Genghis Khan and admitting that certain moments “felt icky.”

From Controversy to Reflection

The wedding night sequence became one of the show’s most controversial scenes, and Momoa’s early public comments about it — including ill-received jokes at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con and remarks to the New York Post — drew backlash.

In 2017, he issued a public apology on Instagram, acknowledging the insensitivity of his earlier words. The apology provided context for his on-set empathy, making clear that he not only felt the weight of the role but also wanted to address how his comments had impacted others.

A Friendship That Endured

Despite the difficulties of filming, Clarke and Momoa forged a lasting bond. Clarke has described him as “f***ing beautiful” in spirit, noting that his personality is “as big as he is.” Their warm reunions, including a much-celebrated get-together in 2021, have been a reminder of the genuine affection they share.

Reflecting on that formative time, Clarke said, “It’s only now I realize how fortunate I was. That could’ve gone many, many different ways.”

Clarke’s revelation about Momoa crying more during their most intense Game of Thrones moments offers a rare look into the emotional realities of acting in difficult scenes. It’s a testament to the empathy and humanity that can exist even within the most brutal fictional worlds — and to a friendship forged in the most unlikely of on-screen circumstances.