In the ruthless ecosystem of Hollywood casting, careers can pivot on moments so small they feel absurd in hindsight. For Emilia Clarke, that moment came during a nerve-shredding audition for Game of Thrones. Before she became Daenerys Targaryen—the Mother of Dragons—Clarke was an unknown actress facing an all-or-nothing test that would decide whether she vanished into obscurity or reshaped television history.
The Recast Crisis
By 2010, the Game of Thrones pilot had already been filmed—and quietly failed. HBO executives ordered a major reset, including recasting the pivotal role of Daenerys, originally played by Tamzin Merchant. Under immense pressure, showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss searched for an actress who could balance ethereal vulnerability with dormant, volcanic authority.
Clarke flew to Los Angeles for a final reading attended by top HBO executives, including the network president. The room was dim, formal, and unforgiving. With only a single daytime TV credit to her name, she performed two of the most demanding scenes in the series: Daenerys being struck by her brother Viserys, and Daenerys stepping into the fire at the end of Season 1. Her acting was strong—but the silence afterward was chilling.
The “Funky Chicken” Turning Point
Sensing the tension, Clarke nervously blurted out, “Can I do anything else? Can I make you a tea?” Trying to break the ice, Benioff joked, “You can do a dance.” Most actors would have laughed it off or offered a safe, forgettable shuffle. Clarke did the opposite.
Fueled by nerves and weeks of strict dieting, she committed fully—launching into an energetic “Funky Chicken” that morphed into “The Robot.” It was ridiculous, fearless, and completely unexpected. “I did it with commitment,” Clarke later said. Even the most serious faces in the room cracked smiles.
A Ten-Second Decision
That burst of silliness did what flawless line readings could not: it revealed range and courage. The contrast between regal intensity and self-deprecating humor convinced the showrunners that Clarke possessed the fearlessness required to command armies—and dragons. According to Weiss, they ran after her as she left the building to tell her she had the role before she boarded her 11-hour flight back to London, greeting her with, “Congratulations, Princess!”
From Dance to Dynasty
Clarke’s “Funky Chicken” wasn’t just an anecdote; it set the tone for a performance that earned four Emmy nominations and helped redefine epic television. Director Timothy Van Patten noted the “watchful” quality she brought to Daenerys, making her rise to power feel earned rather than imposed. By the show’s peak, Clarke was reportedly earning $1.1 million per episode.
Years later, Clarke joked that she tried to sneak humor into Khaleesi scenes—only to realize “Khaleesi isn’t funny.” Still, that improvised dance remains the most important performance of her life. It proved a counterintuitive truth of casting—and of courage: to win the Iron Throne, you sometimes have to risk looking a little ridiculous first.