For years, audiences knew Emilia Clarke as the embodiment of regal intensity. As Daenerys Targaryen, she commanded armies, freed slaves, and ruled with fire and prophecy. Then, in 2015, she did something no one saw coming: she put on a Rasta hat, stepped into a recording booth, and dropped a reggae beat that sent fans into delighted disbelief.
The moment arrived during a charity special for Red Nose Day USA, created to benefit Comic Relief. As part of a larger parody titled Game of Thrones: The Musical, Clarke delivered the now-legendary number “Rastafarian Targaryen,” instantly becoming one of the skit’s most talked-about highlights.
A Parody With Serious Charm
The mockumentary was a collaboration between the cast of Game of Thrones and the British rock band Coldplay. Written by Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin, the project reimagined Westeros through wildly inappropriate musical genres—heavy metal, Broadway ballads, and, in Clarke’s case, smooth reggae.
Clarke’s segment shows her entering a studio, shedding the weight of Daenerys’ endless titles, and launching into a laid-back groove. With playful lyrics poking fun at her character’s mythic status—dragons, destiny, and all—she delivered the song with surprising rhythmic confidence. What could have been a throwaway gag instead revealed a genuine musical sensibility.
Why It Worked
The shock wasn’t just the genre shift; it was how natural Clarke sounded. Fans accustomed to icy stares and epic monologues suddenly saw her smiling, swaying, and singing with ease. The performance felt relaxed, self-aware, and joyful—qualities rarely associated with the grim world of Westeros.
What many viewers didn’t realize at the time is that Clarke is a trained singer and multi-instrumentalist. “Rastafarian Targaryen” wasn’t a novelty built on irony alone; it was a reminder that behind the crown and dragons was a performer with real musical instincts.
A Charity Moment That Went Viral
The Red Nose Day special raised millions for children in need, but Clarke’s reggae turn ensured the night would live on far beyond the broadcast. The clip spread rapidly online, becoming a staple of Game of Thrones fandom and a go-to example of Clarke’s off-screen charisma.
The skit also opened the door for her to showcase her vocals in later projects, including her performance in Last Christmas, where she sang music associated with Wham!.
By embracing “Rastafarian Targaryen,” Emilia Clarke proved she could laugh at her most iconic role—and still own it. For one unforgettable moment, the Mother of Dragons didn’t burn the world. She made it groove.