Emilia Clarke watched Cate Blanchett’s ‘Elizabeth’ a number of times to take some inspiration for her role as Daenerys Targaryen.

No one can portray Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones better than Emilia Clarke, so it’s no mystery why she earned four Primetime Emmy nominations. The Khaleesi is often associated with great female rulers, and it took a lot of hard work and suffering before she attained her royal status.

The actress took inspiration from one of her favorite movie characters, and it’s easy to see the resemblance. In fact, its story is rooted in reality, so it was all the more convincing for Clarke.

Cate Blanchett’s Movie Role Helped Emilia Clarke Become the Targaryen Queen

When Emilia Clarke joined Game of Thrones in 2011, she barely had any acting experience. This was her first major TV role, and she was immediately thrown into a massive franchise with a huge responsibility.

The 37-year-old English star recalled how she prepared to play Daenerys Targaryen on screen. While speaking with The Wrap, she named Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth as her main inspiration. “That was something I watched a lot while preparing for Season 1,” she revealed. The 1998 historical drama film saw the Marvel actress portray Elizabeth Tudor as she becomes the queen of a divided England.

At first, many would assume that Clarke would have thought of Blanchett in Lord of the Rings, as Galadriel somehow looks physically similar to the Mother of Dragons. She explained that the role of Elizabeth I and her strong arc were the ones she used as inspiration for the Khaleesi.

Fans of the show would remember Daenerys’ journey in the earlier seasons where she faced a lot of trials and tribulations before learning how to become a true queen. In Elizabeth, the Thor: Ragnarok actress also went from a meek lady to one of the most powerful figures in England, which mirrors Daenerys’ transformation.

The actress is very thankful that her character had such a tumultuous experience in Season 1 because she was able to harness the strength of character that Daenerys showed during those dark times in her life.

Clarke also shared that she was raised by a strong woman which made her believe there isn’t really a difference between men and women. It seems like she has been shaping up to become Queen Daenerys from the beginning.

Emilia Clarke On What She Loves About Daenerys Targaryen

Similarly, Daenerys Targaryen has inspired millions of people, especially women, to be strong and to stand up for their rights. Like in the show, the Mother of Dragons fought for her birthright, and she didn’t let anyone hinder her from achieving her goals. Clarke told Glamour:

One of the many things I love about Daenerys [Targaryen] from Game of Thrones is she’s given me an opportunity to fly the flag for young girls and women, to be more than just somebody’s wife and somebody’s girlfriend.

Perhaps Clarke will always be remembered as the actress who played Daenerys, but it’s not a bad thing at all. The character exuded many positive attributes that can be inspirational as well.