Here’s Why ‘GoT’ Star Emilia Clarke Doesn’t Want Daenerys to Win the Iron Throne

With the season eight premiere of Game of Thrones right around the corner, we keep asking ourselves the same question: Who will end up on the Iron Throne? While some fans are rooting for Daenerys Targaryen (*crosses fingers*), Emilia Clarke recently admitted that the prize isn’t all fun and games.

In an interview with The New York Times, the 32-year-old actress shared her thoughts on the eighth (and final) season of the popular HBO series. While discussing the highly coveted Iron Throne, Clarke revealed the honor would require ample sacrifices for her character.

“The whole show is just a discussion on power,” she said. “Because the Iron Throne is representative of complete and consuming power and what that does to someone. It’s fascinating—what I’ve found about the sacrifices that you make and what you get out of it as a result. Ultimately, if you get on the throne, what are you really getting?”

The GoT star went on to reference Cersei (Lena Headey), adding, “Cersei proves that you’re not getting that much. You’re getting a lot of loneliness, pain, critiques.”

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean Daenerys is out of the running. “The Targaryen in her—the bad leadership decisions—make her sometimes go: ‘I’ve got to have this power. I don’t care who I’m controlling or what I have to do to get it, because it’s intoxicating,’” Clarke continued.

Will the Mother of Dragons take over the throne and, in turn, sacrifice everything she’s worked for? Guess we’ll have to wait until season eight of Game of Thrones premieres on Sunday, April 14, on HBO.