Emilia Clarke catapulted from British stage actress to global icon through her eight-season performance as Daenerys Targaryen on HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011–2019). Since then, she has built a filmography spanning major franchises—Terminator Genisys, Solo: A Star Wars Story—alongside smaller dramatic roles like Lou Clark in Me Before You and executive-producer credits on Peacock’s espionage series Ponies (2026). Clarke has also navigated two life-threatening brain injuries while using her platform for advocacy work.

4 related posts

Breakout Role: Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (IMDb 9.2) ·
Key Romantic Film: Lou Clark in Me Before You (IMDb 7.4) ·
Sci-Fi Reboot: Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys (IMDb 6.3) ·
Star Wars Role: Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story (IMDb 6.9) ·
Health Battles Survived: Two life-threatening brain injuries

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 23 October 1986 (Wikipedia)
  • 62 episodes as Daenerys in Game of Thrones (2011-2019) (Wikipedia)
  • Four Primetime Emmy nominations (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary widely)
  • Specific 2026 project details beyond Ponies
  • Whether Next Life has a confirmed release date
3Timeline signal
  • Doctors debut in 2009 → Game of Thrones 2011 → Solo 2018 → Ponies 2026 (Wikipedia)
  • Recent: Secret Invasion (2023), The Pod Generation (2023) (Wikipedia)
4What’s next

The table below summarizes Clarke’s most prominent roles alongside their IMDb ratings and primary streaming platforms.

Label Value
Most Iconic Role Daenerys Targaryen
Game of Thrones Rating IMDb 9.2
Me Before You Rating IMDb 7.4
Terminator Genisys Rating IMDb 6.3
Solo Rating IMDb 6.9

Why is Emilia Clarke so famous?

Daenerys Targaryen doesn’t just dominate Game of Thrones — she fundamentally shaped how audiences see Emilia Clarke. Between 2011 and 2019, Clarke appeared in 62 episodes as the Khaleesi, clocking an IMDb rating of 9.2 across the series run. That kind of exposure converts directly into career leverage.

Game of Thrones Breakthrough

HBO’s fantasy epic wasn’t just a hit — it was a cultural reset. Clarke’s Daenerys started as a frightened bride and evolved into one of the most complex antiheroes television had seen. The role earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations. Wikipedia confirms the scope of her involvement across all eight seasons.

Major Film Roles

The franchise strategy kicked in fast. Terminator Genisys (2015) put Clarke in the Sarah Connor role alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, a casting decision that immediately signaled industry confidence. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) followed, giving her the mysterious Qi’ra. Both films pulled respectable box office numbers even when critical reception was mixed.

Bottom line: Game of Thrones gave Clarke the platform. Hollywood’s franchise machine turned that platform into one of the most recognizable faces in sci-fi and fantasy.

Emilia Clarke best movies

Ranking her filmography requires some honest assessment. JustWatch rates Game of Thrones as her #1 credit, with Me Before You at #5 on their best-of list. The rest of the ranking balances commercial franchises against smaller dramatic turns.

Me Before You

The 2016 romantic drama sits at IMDb 7.4 with over 331,000 votes — her highest-rated feature outside Game of Thrones. Clarke plays Lou Clark, a caregiver navigating an impossible relationship with a paralyzed man played by Sam Claflin. JustWatch streaming guide editors specifically praise the emotional range required by the role.

Terminator Genisys

Taking on Linda Hamilton’s legacy as Sarah Connor, Clarke brought a different energy to the franchise relaunch in 2015. The film grossed $440 million worldwide despite middling reviews (IMDb 6.3). For franchise fans, her performance remains a talking point — she commits fully even when the script doesn’t.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Qi’ra operates as Han Solo’s mirror in the 2018 origin story, sharing his cunning and backstory. “Solo: A Star Wars Story is an excellent feature, and Emilia Clarke’s role as Qi’ra is one of the most memorable,” according to JustWatch streaming guide editors. The film earned $392 million globally.

Dom Hemingway

Her smallest high-profile credit packs the most attitude. As Evelyn Hemingway in the 2013 crime comedy with Jude Law, Clarke matches the ensemble’s energy while adding unexpected warmth. It’s a supporting role, but one that reminds audiences she’s more than Khaleesi swagger.

The upshot

Me Before You represents her most complete performance as a leading lady. The franchise films show range but are constrained by their genre demands.

Emilia Clarke TV shows

Television defines Clarke’s career more than most people realize. Beyond the obvious Game of Thrones dominance, she’s accumulated guest roles, animated appearances, and one recent series that suggests her next chapter might be smaller and sharper than her blockbuster years.

Game of Thrones

The numbers are staggering when you lay them out. Eight seasons. 62 episodes as a main character. A rating that consistently ranked among the highest for any drama in television history. Wikipedia documents the full scope, but the practical takeaway is simpler: this is the role that made her casting in Terminator Genisys and Solo possible.

Other Appearances

Clarke has scattered her television resume with guest shots and voice work. She hosted Saturday Night Live in 2019 alongside Kit Harington. Futurama’s 2013 episode “Stench and Stenchibility” featured her voice as Marianne. Secret Invasion (2023) gave her six episodes as G’iah in the Marvel universe. The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (2024) animated her as the Queen of Hearts, rated 6.3.

“The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland flew under the radar for so many people, but it’s one of the most wholesome Christmas animated features.”

— JustWatch streaming guide

Ponies (2026)

Her most recent project also represents something different. Ponies marks her first starring role since Game of Thrones ended — and she serves as executive producer alongside her main cast credit as Beatrice ‘Bea’ Grant. Critics have compared the Peacock espionage series to The Americans, which suggests the show operates at adult drama stakes rather than blockbuster spectacle. Wikipedia confirms the 2026 release window and her producing credit.

Bottom line: Television gave Clarke her career. She returns to it in 2026 with a project that suggests she’s looking for material that matches her actual ambitions.

Emilia Clarke Movies on Netflix

Streaming availability shifts constantly, but US Netflix currently carries several Clarke credits worth knowing about. Regional variations mean availability outside the US differs — uNoGS tracks these differences systematically.

Streaming Options

US Netflix streams The Twits (2025), Last Christmas (2019), Set It Up (2018), and Terminator Genisys (2015) according to uNoGS streaming database tracking data. Last Christmas deserves particular attention — it’s one of her warmest performances, with Clarke playing Katarina ‘Kate’ Andrich in a romantic comedy that benefits from her timing.

Current Availability

Game of Thrones episodes require HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video depending on the licensing window. Me Before You typically cycles through Netflix and Prime — check both platforms before committing to a rental. Disney+ handles Solo: A Star Wars Story and the animated Night Before Christmas in Wonderland.

What to watch

For new Clarke viewers, the hierarchy is simple: Start with Me Before You if you want her dramatic range. Choose Last Christmas for light holiday viewing. Terminate (pun intended) with Terminator Genisys only if you’re committed to franchise continuity.

What is Emilia Clarke doing now?

The short answer involves Ponies. The longer answer involves a deliberate pivot toward television projects where she has creative control, combined with advocacy work that reflects her health experiences.

Recent Projects

Ponies (2026) is the headline project. The espionage series currently climbing Peacock charts represents her most substantial television commitment since Game of Thrones ended. She also appears as Ivy in Next Life (2026), currently in post-production with a producer credit alongside her acting role. The Twits (2025) gives her a voice role in another animated feature.

Health and Advocacy

Clarke has spoken publicly about surviving two life-threatening brain injuries, which shaped both her career perspective and her approach to project selection. Her advocacy work focuses on reducing stigma around brain injury recovery. This context matters when evaluating why she’s gravitated toward producing credits and projects with longer production schedules.

“With a show like Ponies (2026) currently climbing charts, people are understandably getting the chance to see just how gifted she really is.”

— JustWatch streaming guide

Why this matters

Clarke built her career on iconic franchises. The pattern emerging in 2025-2026 suggests someone consciously choosing projects where she shapes the material rather than just performs in it.

Emilia Clarke complete filmography

Five television series, three feature films, two voice roles, and one short film — that’s the core breakdown, but the full credits list stretches across nearly two decades.

Film

Feature films: Dom Hemingway (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015), Me Before You (2016), Voice from the Stone (2017), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Above Suspicion (2019), Last Christmas (2019), The Pod Generation (2023). Short film: Shackled (2012). Voice roles: The Amazing Maurice (2022), The Twits (2025).

Television

Doctors (2009), Triassic Attack (2010), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Futurama (2013), Thunderbirds Are Go (2017), Saturday Night Live (2019), Secret Invasion (2023), The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (2024), Ponies (2026). Additional voice work includes Robot Chicken (2016).

Bottom line: Clarke’s filmography rewards close attention. The franchises gave her visibility; the smaller projects show what she actually wants to do with that visibility.

Related reading: Alec Baldwin Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography 2024 · Julianne Hough Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Additional sources

scribd.com

Emilia Clarke’s standout roles extend across global screens, where detailed Swedish roundupdelivers key facts alongside her latest projects up to 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

What are Emilia Clarke’s best movies?

Me Before You (IMDb 7.4) ranks highest for dramatic performance. Solo: A Star Wars Story and Terminator Genisys show her franchise range. Dom Hemingway offers the most surprising supporting turn.

What TV shows has Emilia Clarke starred in?

Game of Thrones is her defining credit — 62 episodes as Daenerys Targaryen. Recent additions include Secret Invasion (2023) and Ponies (2026). She also appeared in Futurama, Thunderbirds Are Go, and Saturday Night Live as host.

Which Emilia Clarke movies are on Netflix?

US Netflix streams Terminator Genisys, Set It Up, Last Christmas, and The Twits. Streaming availability varies by region and changes frequently — check uNoGS for current listings in your market.

What Emilia Clarke movies and TV shows are coming in 2026?

Ponies (2026) is currently airing on Peacock with Clarke as executive producer and lead. Next Life (2026) is in post-production with her as producer and star.

What role did Emilia Clarke play in Me Before You?

She played Lou Clark, a care worker who develops a relationship with a paralyzed man (Sam Claflin). The 2016 film earned IMDb 7.4 from over 331,000 votes.

What is Emilia Clarke’s most famous TV role?

Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (2011-2019) — the role that earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations and global recognition.

Where can I watch Emilia Clarke’s Game of Thrones?

Game of Thrones streams on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video depending on current licensing agreements. The complete series is available on both platforms in most markets.

What is Emilia Clarke’s health situation?

Clarke has publicly discussed surviving two life-threatening brain injuries. She now advocates for brain injury awareness and recovery support, working to reduce associated stigma.

For Clarke’s dedicated fans, the trajectory is clear: she’s using her post-Game-of-Thrones years to build a producing portfolio alongside selective acting choices. Ponies represents the most intentional project of this phase — an espionage thriller with adult stakes where she shapes the creative direction. Whether you’re streaming her Netflix catalog or catching her latest series premiere, the actor who emerged from Westeros is still very much in formation.