Who plays Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Targaryen is played by English actress Emilia Clarke. She first appeared as a main cast member in the HBO series Game of Thrones in 2011 and continued through season 8 in 2019. Her performance earned widespread recognition, though some supporting cast members have also portrayed the character in other media, such as in early unaired pilots or behind-the-scenes promotional material.
Primary cast and portrayal
Emilia Clarke’s role and background
Emilia Clarke is a British actress known for her leading role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has described the physical and emotional demands of embodying the character across multiple seasons. Her portrayal spans key arcs including the liberation of Meereen, alliances in Essos, and the contested Iron Throne storyline.
Notable supporting portrayals
In rare behind-the-scenes footage, other actors have represented Daenerys in unfinished or nonbroadcast content from early development. These cases are not part of the canonical series and do not alter the credited main cast. The following table summarizes the key cast details and production context for clarity.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Actor (main series) | Emilia Clarke | HBO series credits |
| First appearance | 2011 (Season 1) | Production records |
| Final appearance | 2019 (Season 8) | Production records |
| Character title | Daenerys Targaryen | Canonical scripts |
| Alternate portrayals | Behind-the-scenes only; noncanonical | Archival material |
Credits and production notes
Emilia Clarke appears in all televised episodes of Game of Thrones where Daenerys Targaryen is present. Showrunners and directors have described approaches to filming key scenes, including large-scale episodes and emotionally demanding sequences. Production notes emphasize continuity efforts across seasons and the importance of Clarke’s interpretation to the character’s long-term arc.
Common questions
Fans often ask whether other actresses played Daenerys in finished episodes or alternate cuts. Verified sources indicate that, within the official series, Emilia Clarke is the sole credited actor. Minor confusion can arise from early footage, table reads, or fan edits, but these do not change the canonical record.
Further reading and references
- HBO official series credits and press kits
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art public records
- Behind-the-scenes documentaries and cast interviews
Summary
The real name of the actor who portrays Daenerys Targaryen is Emilia Clarke. She is the primary and credited performer for the character across all broadcast seasons of Game of Thrones, with only noncanonical appearances by other individuals in unfinished or promotional material.