‘Game of Thrones’ Star Emilia Clarke Says There’s a Good Reason Dany Reacted to Jon’s News in That Way

If you were taken aback by Daenerys Targaryen’s reaction to learning the guy she’s in love with is her nephew in Game of Thrones season eight, episode two, then you’re not alone. Of course, in the real world that’s a big, disturbing deal. But in Westeros, it’s more socially acceptable. What bothers Dany more is that Jon now stands in her path to the Iron Throne. Well, Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys in the series, has a thing or two to say about that.

The 32-year-old actress chatted with Entertainment Weekly in the wake of the big “Jon and Dany are related” reveal and explained why Dany seemed not to care that she’s been shtupping her relative.

“The related thing, to her, is so normal,” Clarke argued. “She could have easily married her brother. It’s not a thing. It’s a thing for Jon, but let’s just forget about that.”

The claim to the Iron Throne thing is an entirely separate issue and—spoiler alert—she’s not chill with Jon having a greater right to it than her. Actually, Clarke has some pretty strong opinions about it all. 

“The main thing is we’re up for the same promotion and I’ve been working for it for my entire existence,” Clarke pointed out. “Since birth! Dany literally was brought into this world going: RUN! These f***ers [in Westeros] have f***ed everything up. Now it’s, ‘You’re our only hope.’”

As Clarke emphatically explains, Dany has had her eye on the Iron Throne prize since she was young. Each and every decision she’s made has led her to where she is. Jon (Kit Harington), on the other hand, frankly doesn’t really care about it. He just wants to defend and protect his family…oh, and come to terms with the fact that he’s not Ned Stark’s son.

Clarke went on to explain, “There’s so much she’s taken on in her duty in life to rectify. There’s so much she’s seen and witnessed and been through and lost and suffered and hurt to get here…and Jon doesn’t even want it!”

Her passion for Dany’s journey clearly comes across. Now let’s hope the Mother of Dragons can channel some of that energy when the Battle of Winterfell kicks off this Sunday, April 28, at 9 p.m. PT/ET on HBO.