Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has reflected on her past relationship with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, confirming the pair dated for six months between 2012 and 2013.
In an interview with Glamour magazine, Clarke, then 29, candidly shared what it was like to date the Hollywood powerhouse and how the public sometimes made it uncomfortable.
Emilia Clarke's shocking encounter with Seth MacFarlane
The Game of Thrones actress revealed that during her time with MacFarlane, a fan once approached them in public with a less-than-kind remark. “He said, ‘I’m a big fan of the show, and I’m not sure what you’re doing with that guy,’ which I didn’t react well to,” Clarke told Glamour.
The fan encounter happened in New York, she said, and quickly turned awkward. “This guy started to give me advice, ‘can I get a selfie? And by the way…’” Clarke recalled. “Unh-unh, bro.”
Despite the challenges, Clarke said she looks back fondly on the relationship. The couple ultimately split due to distance and busy schedules, but MacFarlane later praised Clarke as "an incredibly kind, supremely talented person", according to the Daily Mail.
When asked about her love life at the time, Clarke laughed off the idea that she was actively dating. “No. I’m just chilling. I’ve got a good thing going,” she said.
The British star admitted that confidence didn’t always come naturally. Growing up in the countryside, she described herself as the “drama kid” who longed to fit in. “I wanted to be in the popular crowd desperately, and I never was,” she said. “I was hanging on to their coattails like, ‘Be my friend!’”
From telemarketing jobs to television stardom
Before her breakout role as Daenerys Targaryen, Clarke worked odd jobs to make ends meet, including one she quickly abandoned. “I was upselling for charities: ‘Thank you for giving five pounds a month; have you considered giving six pounds fifty?’” she recalled. “It was soul-destroying.”
Clarke said the rejection and hostility she faced on those calls made her realize how far she’d come. “People would say things like, ‘You evil person, I’ve just lost someone close to me,’” she remembered.
Emilia Clarke jokes about onscreen nudity
Known for her playful sense of humor, Clarke also joked about the lack of male nudity on Game of Thrones, particularly compared to her own scenes.
“I saw [Jason Momoa’s] member, but it was covered in a pink fluffy sock,” she said with a laugh. “Showing it would make people feel bad, it’s too fabulous.”
Clarke even imagined what her character might do in a perfect finale. “I want to see Daenerys and her three dragons share the throne,” she teased. “Bring back all the pretty boys, get them to take their trousers down, and say, ‘I’m now the queen of everything!’”
Game of Thrones and Me Before You
At the time, Clarke was preparing for the sixth season of Game of Thrones, which premiered on April 24, 2016. She also starred in the romantic drama Me Before You, alongside Sam Claflin, released on June 3 that year.
Speaking about her role as Louisa Clark, Clarke said the character reminded her of her younger self.
“I’m very close to Lou as a person,” she said. “At school I was uncertain and unsure. There was a sincerity I was desperate to play, because with Daenerys, I’ve spent a career putting armor on.”
From her early insecurities to her rise as one of TV’s most iconic heroines, Clarke’s story remains a testament to charm, resilience, and self-discovery.