Game of Thrones original Daenerys actress was replaced by Emilia Clarke

Game of Thrones’ Daenerys role was meant for someone else than Emilia Clarke if it hadn’t been for HBO.

Emilia Clarke wasn't the woman originally cast to play Daenerys Targaryen in the Game of Thrones pilot, and the actress who was has opened up about being replaced.

In the 2009 pilot episode, actress Tamzin Merchant portrayed the part; however, when the program was picked up by HBO, a new actress was chosen.

Later that year, Tamzin publicly discussed Emilia taking over the part and how she felt about losing the part—which ended up being one of the most recognizable characters in television history—for the first time.

“Shooting that pilot was a really great lesson,” Tamzin revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

“It was an affirmation about listening to my instincts and following them, because I tried to back out of that situation and, during the contract process, I did back out,” she said. “I was talked back into it by some persuasive people. Then I found myself naked and afraid in Morocco and riding a horse that was clearly much more excited to be there than I was.”

She added, “It was a lesson that if my guts are telling me a story isn’t something I’m excited to tell, then I shouldn’t try to be excited just because other people are telling me that I should be excited.”

“I didn’t have any training as an actor, I only have my instincts. And what excites me and what drives me is a compelling story and a compelling character,” she further continued. “So for me, Game of Thrones was never that. I think it’s a testament to Emilia Clarke for making that role iconic — she was obviously excited to tell that story, and she was epic and excellent. But for me, it wasn’t in my heart to tell it.”

Tamzin has played a variety of characters, including Catherine Howard in the Tudors, Anne Hale in the television series Salem, and most recently Imogen Spurnrose in Carnival Row.