Emilia Clarke played Daenerys Targaryen, one of the central figures in Game of Thrones. Her earliest appearances in Season 1 included nude and sex scenes that were narratively important but also controversial. Daenerys is first introduced as a timid young woman under the control of her brother Viserys, who intends to marry her off to Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) to gain military support. Their wedding night includes a sex scene that was widely debated because it depicted Daenerys’ lack of agency at the beginning of the relationship. Over the course of the season, however, Daenerys gradually asserts herself, and later intimate scenes between her and Drogo reflect a shift in power dynamics as she learns to take control of her own body and her destiny. These early episodes deliberately used nudity and sex as part of her transformation arc, showing her progression from a powerless girl to a confident leader who could command armies.
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Behind the scenes, Clarke has been candid about the challenges of filming these scenes. She has said in interviews that, as a young actress in her first major role, she felt intense pressure and vulnerability during the production of Season 1. Later, she spoke openly about how difficult it was to shoot repeated nude or sex scenes and how she negotiated for more control over how her character’s intimacy was portrayed in later seasons. The introduction of intimacy coordinators on later HBO projects partly grew from the industry-wide conversation sparked by shows like Game of Thrones.
Critically, Clarke’s sex and nude scenes were received with mixed reactions. Some praised them as a bold part of her character’s journey, arguing that they symbolized her emergence into independence and power. Others criticized the show’s reliance on nudity, accusing it of indulging in “sexposition” (exposition delivered alongside sexual scenes) to attract viewers. Over time, Daenerys’ storyline shifted focus away from sexual relationships toward her political ambitions and conquests, reflecting Clarke’s own push to redefine her character beyond early nudity.
In short, Emilia Clarke’s sex scenes in Game of Thrones were controversial but narratively significant. They were used to establish Daenerys’ vulnerability, highlight her transformation into a powerful figure, and spark wider industry conversations about the ethics of nudity and intimacy in television production.