Who Auditioned For Daenerys In Game Of Thrones?

2026-06-28 01:55:28
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3 Answers

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The hunt for Daenerys must’ve been insane—imagine sifting through hundreds of auditions to find someone who could balance vulnerability, strength, and that otherworldly Targaryen vibe. Besides Tamzin Merchant’s brief stint, I stumbled across an old forum thread mentioning actresses like Hannah Murray (who ended up as Gilly) and even Jennifer Lawrence was supposedly considered early on. Lawrence’s career skyrocketed right around then, so who knows if it was ever serious. What’s cool is how many of these actresses still found their way into big projects. Like, imagine if Jessica Brown Findlay (Sybil from 'Downton Abbey') had landed it—she’s got that regal presence, but her career took a totally different path.

Emilia Clarke’s casting feels like one of those perfect storm moments. Her audition tape reportedly had this raw power that even the other contenders couldn’t match. It’s funny how casting works—sometimes the right person just walks in and owns it. Makes you wonder what alternate universe versions of 'Thrones' would look like.
2026-06-30 12:42:15
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Responder Nurse
Casting Daenerys Targaryen was a massive deal for 'Game of Thrones', and the production team saw a ton of talent before landing on Emilia Clarke. I recall reading about how Tamzin Merchant was originally cast in the role for the unaired pilot. She’s known for her work in 'The Tudors', but the chemistry just wasn’t there, and the pilot got scrapped. When they recast, Emilia Clarke came in with this fierce yet vulnerable energy that totally nailed it. Other names floated around included Lucy Griffiths (who later appeared in 'True Blood') and even Gemma Arterton was rumored to have auditioned. It’s wild to think how different the show could’ve been with someone else breathing fire and commanding dragons.

Emilia’s audition apparently blew everyone away—she did the 'Dracarys' scene with such intensity that they knew she was the one. But what fascinates me is how many actresses probably came close. I wonder if any of them regret missing out now, seeing how iconic the role became. Then again, Emilia made Daenerys her own in a way that feels impossible to separate from the character now.
2026-07-03 08:23:57
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Isabel
Isabel
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Daenerys’ casting process was a rollercoaster! Tamzin Merchant filmed the original pilot, but when it got reworked, Emilia Clarke stepped in and crushed it. I heard rumors about Lily Collins auditioning too—she’s got that delicate but fierce look that could’ve worked. The craziest part? Emilia almost turned it down because of the nudity clauses. Thankfully, she negotiated and gave us one of the most memorable characters in TV history. It’s mind-blowing how close we came to a totally different Khaleesi.
2026-07-04 20:23:24
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3 Answers2026-06-28 12:32:12
I love digging into behind-the-scenes trivia, especially for a show as iconic as 'Game of Thrones'. One of the most fascinating what-ifs involves Tamzin Merchant, who was originally cast as Daenerys Targaryen. She even filmed the unaired pilot, but the role eventually went to Emilia Clarke. Merchant later joked about dodging a bullet, given the show's intense nudity clauses, but I can't help wondering how her icy, regal vibe would've shaped Dany's arc. Another near-miss was Gillian Anderson as Cersei—imagine her bringing that 'X-Files' intensity to the Lioness! Casting what-ifs like these make me obsess over alternate-universe versions of the show. Then there's Sam Claflin, who auditioned for Jon Snow. He’s got the brooding down pat (see 'Hunger Games'), but Kit Harington’s wounded-puppy eyes were irreplaceable. Even Ian McNeice, the hilarious 'Rome' actor, was considered for Illyrio Mopatis before losing out to Roger Allam. It’s wild how tiny choices ripple through pop culture. I sometimes binge fan edits imagining these alternate casts—Merchant’s Dany with Clarke’s fire would’ve been a totally different storm.

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I was rewatching 'Game of Thrones' the other day and got curious about the audiobooks—specifically, who brought Daenerys to life in that format. Turns out, it’s the incredible Emilia Clarke herself! She narrated the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' audiobook for 'A Game of Thrones,' and hearing her voice Daenerys outside the show was a surreal experience. It’s like getting bonus content from the Mother of Dragons. Her narration adds this intimate layer to the character, almost like she’s whispering the story just for you. What’s wild is how different it feels from the show—more introspective, with Clarke’s softer tones highlighting Daenerys’ vulnerability. I’d kill for her to narrate the entire series, but so far, it’s just the first book. Roy Dotrice took over for the rest, which is cool, but Clarke’s version is this rare gem for fans. If you haven’t heard it, it’s worth a listen just to catch those little nuances she brings to the role.
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