Emilia Clarke Opens Up About Her ‘Stupid’ Career Misstep—And She’s Not Alone

Emilia Clarke, celebrated for her riveting portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has enjoyed a career marked by versatility and a constant pursuit of meaningful roles. Known for her ability to transform into complex characters, Clarke has tackled an array of dramatic projects across film, television, and stage. However, despite her stellar career, there are moments she looks back on with regret—one of the most notable being her role in the 2015 film Terminator: Genisys.

In a 2019 conversation with Variety, Clarke opened up about her biggest career regrets, specifically discussing her time in big-budget action films. While reflecting on her career alongside her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington, who portrayed Jon Snow, she acknowledged that both of them had ventured into the world of “stupid action movies” that they now regret. Clarke humorously noted that she and Harington shared similar career paths, having both experienced the highs of iconic roles and the lows of less successful projects.

Clarke’s experience with Terminator: Genisys, in which she played the iconic Sarah Connor, stands out as her most significant regret in the realm of action movies. Despite the promising premise—a high-profile cast and direction from Game of Thrones’ Alan Taylor—Terminator: Genisys failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike. Clarke, who had hoped the film would launch her further into action stardom, later admitted she was “relieved” when it didn’t perform well at the box office. “No one had a good time making it,” she confessed in an interview with Vanity Fair, emphasizing that the experience was far from the exhilarating ride she had envisioned.

Although Clarke has undeniably achieved great success in both her career and her craft, the experience with Terminator: Genisys serves as a reminder that not every project turns out the way one hopes. However, Clarke’s honesty about her regrets reflects a broader truth about her career: she is committed to growth and learning from her mistakes. As she continues to pursue more varied and meaningful roles, Clarke remains focused on the projects that allow her to challenge herself and engage in the kind of storytelling she truly values.

Despite the misstep, Clarke’s body of work—from Game of Thrones to The Seagull and beyond—shows that she’s more than capable of choosing projects that match her passion and talent. And as she continues to evolve as an actress, Clarke’s regret serves as just another step in her ongoing journey to create work she can be proud of.