by Emilia Clarke skyrocketed to fame with her breakout role as Daenerys Targaryen on the hugely popular HBO series Game of Thrones. Her mesmerizing performance as the Mother of Dragons captivated viewers and propelled Clarke to A-list status. However, in a candid recent interview, Clarke opened up about making a “knucklehead” career decision early on that she deeply regrets.
Fresh off her triumph on Thrones, a young and eager Clarke jumped at the opportunity to lead 2015’s Terminator Genisys, the fifth installment in the classic sci-fi franchise. At the time, it seemed like a golden opportunity to capitalize on her newfound stardom. In reality, as Clarke explains, she was far from ready for a project of that scale and intensity. The challenging shoot and lackluster reception of Genisys marked a painful turning point for Clarke, forcing her to re-evaluate her priorities and make difficult changes to get her career back on track.
Looking back, Clarke pinpoints her choice to join Genisys as the moment she veered off course. “I was so excited and grateful for the opportunity, but it was way too much too soon,” she admitted. “I got in over my head in a major way. I wasn’t ready for that level of pressure and scrutiny. I spread myself too thin. It was a total knucklehead move, and I’ve regretted it ever since.”
Prior to signing onto the Terminator reboot, Clarke’s entire professional experience consisted of her three seasons on Thrones.though her dramatic training prepared her for the demands of filming the HBO series, nothing could fully prepare her for the realities of headlining a major studio franchise.
“I had zero experience shooting a big-budget action movie. I was fresh out of drama school and still cutting my teeth,” she recalled. “I got totally overwhelmed.” In hindsight, she wishes she had started with a smaller film role to get her sea legs before diving into such a massive production. “I was a deer in headlights. I didn’t know how to handle the long hours or the physical intensity or the media circus.”
Indeed, throughout filming, Clarke struggled to keep up with the rigorous schedule and stunt work required. Having never tackled such a physically challenging part before, she frequently became injured on set. “I was in constant pain and covered in bruises and scrapes,” she said. “I pushed through and didn’t complain because I didn’t want to seem weak or ungrateful. But it was too much too fast.”
In addition to the demanding shoot, Clarke cracked under the pressure of headlining a major franchise release with built-in expectations. “I went from being a supporting player on Thrones to the face of a huge potential blockbuster. I had no idea what I was doing.” She continued, “I wish I’d recognized I wasn’t ready to carry a movie and turned it down. But I was young and eager and couldn’t see my limits.”
Unfortunately for Clarke, Terminator Genisys failed to reignite the once-great franchise upon its release. Dragged down by negative reviews, it badly underperformed at the box office. Clarke’s performance drew particularly harsh criticism for her wooden, stilted acting. The film’s failure added insult to injury after her painful experience during filming.
In the aftermath, a crestfallen Clarke retreated from the spotlight to lick her wounds and recover. The soul-crushing flop marked a painful turning point as she was forced to come to terms with the limits of her skill and experience at the time.
“It was a very tough time in my life. My confidence was shattered,” Clarke shared candidly. “I beat myself up over why I wasn’t good enough. I worried my acting chops just weren’t there yet.” For months, she agonized over whether she had what it takes to have a lasting career.
Eventually, Clarke escaped this depressive funk by letting go of expectations and refocusing her priorities. She began carefully selecting roles suited for her strengths and experience level, starting with supporting parts in smaller indie films.
Among them was 2016’s heartwarming romance Me Before You, which helped Clarke regain her footing and reminded her of her capabilities. “I needed to rebuild my confidence, and that lovely little film helped me so much,” she said. “I was free to be vulnerable and human again.”
Clarke also realized she needed to be more protective of her mental health and give herself permission to slow down. After years of nonstop work, she began taking breaks between projects and made self-care a priority. This new balanced approach allowed her natural talent to shine through once again.
By the time Clarke took on 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, she felt grounded and prepared to tackle a big budget role. Thanks to the lessons learned from her Terminator Genisys flub, she thrived during Solo’s production. “I knew my limits and spoke up to protect myself. I was leagues more comfortable in my own skin.”
Today, a wiser and more seasoned Clarke is grateful for even her missteps like Genisys. “That experience taught me so much about patience and setting boundaries. I needed to grow and make those mistakes to get where I am now.”
Rather than harboring regrets, Clarke embraces her entire journey. “My early blunders made me who I am. I wouldn’t change a thing because I’m proud of myself for getting through those hard times.”
In fact, she hopes being open about her turbulent rise to fame will inspire others. “Nobody’s path is seamless. We all stumble along the way,” Clarke mused. “But you have to be gentle with yourself and keep believing in your dreams. Don’t give up just because you make some knucklehead choices like I did!”
Though the Terminator Genisys debacle rattled Clarke’s confidence, her willingness to step back, reassess, and change course demonstrates profound strength. The tumultuous experience forced her to better understand her capabilities and limitations. By bravely making mistakes and enduring hard-won lessons, Clarke transformed into the wise, well-rounded star she is today. Her triumph over early career adversity is an inspiration to us all.
