Emilia Clarke: One Of The Best Female Performers On TV

Why Emilia Clarke is one of the best female performers on TV

Unlike many on Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen has undergo drastic personality changes as the series progresses.

By Sam Moore

'Game of Thrones' has no shortage of great performances and whilst Emilia Clarke's may not be the best (that honour goes to Peter Dinklage), she has the most difficult. She is one of the very few characters to undergo drastic personality changes as the series progresses. The first time we see her, she is weak and submissive, but by the end of the first season, she has grown to become strong-willed and a leader of men.

Clarke undergoes the transformation in a very subtle manner, with the only obvious difference being her language becomes more forceful and blunt. 'Game of Thrones' has received a lot of acclaim for its acting, and rightly so, but Emilia Clarke is often ignored in those conversations, likely due to her journey taking place away from the main storyline, but I feel she's as vital as any other cast member.

There are no shortage of great dramatic performances on TV right now as the likes of Robin Wright, Kerry Washington, Julianna Marguiles, Lizzy Caplan and Elisabeth Moss are all doing outstanding work in their respective shows. And whilst Clarke may not be quite ready to mentioned alongside those great names, mainly due to the fact she has much less screen time than all of them, she has shown herself to be a great screen presence who is going to be a leading lady for a long time, especially if she keeps receiving roles as complex and interesting as Daenerys.

She deservedly was nominated for an Emmy last year and I feel she has improved greatly as an actress during the time 'Game of Thrones' has been on air, especially as she was so young and inexperienced before the beginning of the show.

In a show where everybody seems to be shouting obscenities and attempting to behead someone, Clarke's Daenerys is far more quiet, knowing the power of selective speaking. To stand out whilst being so subdued in a cast full of histrionics shows Clarke's ability is very real and vital to the feel and rhythm of the show.

Following Daenerys on her quest for the Iron Throne often features a lot of walking and talking, but it's nonetheless captivating as Clarke has the power to command your attention with her stark beauty and authoritarian way with words. There aren't a great deal of interesting female characters in the show but Clarke makes Daenerys feel like the MVP when she's on top form, and I can't wait to see where she goes in season 4.

Sam is a fan of all kinds of television, but has a particular fondness for dark dramas. For more of his thoughts on all things film and TV visit his blog and follow him on Twitter.