Emilia Clarke, known for her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the popular HBO series Game of Thrones, has had her fair share of on-screen nudity. However, she had to make a significant decision when it came to taking on the famous role of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Clarke revealed that although she understood and admired director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s artistic vision for the film, she ultimately decided against going for it. Fifty Shades of Grey, based on E.L. James’ novel, tells the story of a college senior who embarks on a BDSM relationship with a wealthy businessman. Clarke’s primary concern was avoiding typecasting, and she wanted to explore different roles. Consequently, the role of Anastasia Steele went to Dakota Johnson.

Emilia Clarke Refused To Go Nude Again For Fifty Shades Of Grey

Emilia Clarke, renowned for her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the immensely popular Game of Thrones series, made a noteworthy choice regarding the role of Anastasia Steele in the 2015 film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. The talented actress declined the opportunity, influenced by her experiences with on-screen nudity in Game of Thrones.

Clarke’s decision was driven by her desire to avoid being pigeonholed and confined to roles that required explicit scenes. In a candid 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 36-year-old artist discussed the impact of the audience’s reaction to her nude scenes on GoT and how it factored into her decision-making process.

Why Did the Reason For Emilia Clarke’s Refusal To Do The Film?

While being recognized for a particular character can enhance an actor’s legacy, there are also drawbacks that are often overlooked. One significant downside is the limitation it imposes on exploring new avenues, as actors can become typecast and confined to specific roles. Emilia Clarke’s decision to turn down the role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey series is more comprehensible when considering this perspective.

“But the last time that I was naked on camera [on Game of Thrones] was a long time ago, and yet it is the only question that I ever get asked because I am a woman. And it’s annoying as hell and I’m sick and tired of it because I did it for the character—I didn’t do it so some guy could check out my t*ts, for God’s sake. So, that coming up, I was like, ‘I can’t.’”

For those unfamiliar with the series, Fifty Shades of Grey is based on E.L. James’ erotic novels and the films maintain a no-holds-barred approach to explicit content. Upon learning that her character would perform nude scenes, Clarke promptly rejected the offer. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed her disinterest in participating in scenes that required her br**sts to be fully exposed to anyone present on set.