Entertainment

Emilia Isn't A Fan Of A Certain Aspect Of 'GoT'

by Caitlyn Callegari

It might be a bit surprising considering she's had some especially raunchy sex scenes on the show, but Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke isn't a fan of sex scenes and definitely doesn't like to get nude just for the sake of it. And as someone who is fairly conservative when it comes to simply wearing a bikini in front of people, I can completely understand where she is coming from.

(Update: Emilia Clarke spoke out about her sex scenes quote on Instagram on Wednesday, Sept. 16 to clarify her words. She wrote, I was followed into a party by a journalist who asked me a question about female empowerment and then quoted me entirely out of context for an outlet I didn’t agree to speak with. So I feel now, with the beauty of Instagram I should clarify my statements, if for nothing else then for posterity. In drama, if a nude scene forwards a story or is shot in a way that adds insight into characters, I’m perfectly fine with it. Sometimes explicit scenes are required and make sense for the characters/story, as they do in Westeros. If it’s gratuitous for gratuitous sake, then I will discuss with a director on how to make it more subtle. In either case, like a good Mother of Dragons, I’m always in control. #dracarys #bodiesmaybetemplesbutmindsarewhatmatter #MODforreal.")

She told the Daily Mail,

Sex scenes should be more subtle. I’m British, so I cringe at that sort of thing anyway — I can’t stand it. I don’t want to have sex thrown in my face and I’ve always thought the suggestion is so much more titillating than the act itself. Most sex scenes you see in films or on TV are gratuitous and they’re usually just to attract an audience. On screen, the subtler the better.

And Clarke is not the only actor on the show to open up about sex scenes on television and in film. In fact, at least two other cast members, as well as a famous actress who isn't on the show, have spoken out about the nudity aspect of the show, but pointed out that it isn't so much about the nudity itself, as it is about everyone getting nude, regardless of gender, an equal amount.

One high profile, non-Westeros inhabitant in particular who made note of the whole nudity between the genders thing? Anna Kendrick. Back in April, she jokingly made more male nudity on GoT a "feminist priority" and tweeted this about character Daario Naharis:

In addition to Kendrick, and while perhaps not being against nudity or sex scenes in general like Clarke, her cast members do have a heightened sense of awareness when it comes to that aspect of the show.

When asked by Huffington Post Live if he thought that there should be more male nudity on the show (something the fans have mentioned wanting), Kristian Nairn, who plays Hodor, said yes, but with a catch. While he doesn't think the sex scenes are about objectification and hopes, like Clarke, that they aren't just indulgent, he did admit that "They definitely honed in on the female nudity."

Furthering the GoT nudity narrative, Jack Gleeson, who played Joffrey Baratheon, also spoke on the topic. He told The Daily Beast,

But I think there is some male nudity in the show. As I say, I don’t watch it so I can’t really comment, but I have heard that there is male nudity — so I think that is one good thing, to not just objectify women but also objectify the beauty of the male genitalia! We’re all objects together.

Sure, "some male nudity" is not the same as it being equal to the amount of female nudity — or in Clarke's case, just less nudity and simulated sex for everyone involved — but the good thing here is that it is being talked about and thus, things are changing. Case in point, as the Daily Mail points out, "Clarke has not done any topless scenes for Game of Thrones for the past two years." So, you know, while Kendrick may not get her wish, at least Clarke's preference to maintain her privacy is being respected and leveling the female versus male nudity batting average for the show.

Let's put it this way. As long as the show strives for the nudity to be as equal as possible in the future, and so long as those who feel uncomfortable with it are not made to strip down, all is good on the Westeros front.

Images: Giphy (3)