Emilia Clarke’s Enviable ‘Game Of Thrones’ Pay Rise; Why She Agreed To ‘Me Before You’


Emilia Clarke, one of the most recognizable stars to gain fame through Game of Thrones, will be earning even more next season than she already is. The same can be said for Emilia Clarke’s co-stars Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister). According to the Telegraph, Emilia Clarke is reported to earn $500,000 for each episode of Game of Thrones during seasons seven and eight of the show.

Back in 2014, during the negotiations for the contracts of Emilia Clarke and her fellow co-stars, there were reports that she was scheduled to receive $300,000 per episode. If the reports are true, the increase in pay is undoubtedly a significant and enviable one.

Apart from Emilia Clarke and the other four big-name stars of the show, there are no reports as to the salaries of the other actors in the show like Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams, who play the Stark sisters Sansa and Arya.

The rumors are that the five Game of Thrones characters whose respective actors have been given a pay increase will be safe from the finale of the current season, which is why Khaleesi fans are rejoicing as she will most certainly be around for more seasons. On the other hand, characters whose actors have not been awarded a pay increase may potentially meet their fates sooner in the show.

Speaking of meeting their fates, Emilia Clarke has recently revealed that the show legitimately almost accidentally killed members of the cast and crew. According to Movie News Guide, Emilia Clarke revealed during the Screen Actor’s Guild that shooting season six of Game of Thrones nearly killed some of the cast and crew.

In relation to revealing the near deaths on set, Emilia Clarke warned fans to get ready for an intense series. Fans would most likely agree as season six of Game of Thrones has been nothing but an intense and fast-paced ride taking fans through the depths of all sorts of emotions, and with a stunningly impressive episode nine for the season.

Emilia Clarke also shared that every year, every person in the cast thinks that they are currently doing the biggest season ever.

Meanwhile, the Me Before You actress also revealed that she likes the idea of her character, the Mother of Dragons, having a lesbian relationship after the penultimate episode of the series. Judging by fans’ comments, many people would welcome seeing Daenerys Targaryen and Yara Greyjoy in a romance. Emilia said there has been a slight flirtation and even thought about getting rid of Daario in favor of a same-sex relationship.

In other news, according to the Huffington Post, Emilia Clarke was moved by her character on Me Before You, which made it easier for her to take the role.

Emilia Clarke spoke on why her character on Me Before You appealed to her, saying that it was due to the characters warmth, empathy, and sensitivity that she was so excited to take on the role. In addition, it was the character’s joy, sense of humor and her desire to be of use that made the character so appealing to the actress.

She said that most forms of media focus on “swampy darkness,” which is why she was so excited to play a light, happy character.

“My god, we’ve got so much swampy darkness that we have on everything… and it seems like that’s what is the most interesting choice.”

Referring to her Me Before You character as a “breath of fresh air” and the storyline one with an “incredibly topical, political point at the heart of it,” Emilia Clarke said that it was a combination she just couldn’t pass up.

[Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Annenberg Foundation]

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