In the world of Game of Thrones, women can be anything. They can be mothers, they can be politicians, they can be assassins, and they can be queens of dragons. Well, one person can: Daenerys Targaryen. Emilia Clarke, who plays Dany on GoT, recently addressed the show’s constantly being criticized for being “sexist.” Needless to say, she doesn’t agree. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clarke was sure to highlight how women, like men, find themselves in all roles — good and bad — in George R. R. Martin’s world.
“There are women depicted as sexual tools, women who have zero rights, women who are queens but only to a man, and then there are women who are literally unstoppable and as powerful as you can possibly imagine.” She continues, being sure to point out that, though awful things do happen to women in the show, they also happen to men on the show; the world is generally not a great place. “It shows the range that happens to women, and ultimately shows women are not only equal, but have a lot of strength.”
Smartly, Clarke also mentioned that she and other women on Game of Thrones are constantly asked about nudity, and yet few of the show’s men ever are — though Kit Harington has spoken out about men being objectified, generally. “How many times has [Daario actor Michiel Huisman] been asked about the fact he’s taken his clothes off a bunch? Is that even a discussion?” Clarke asks, and then answers, “No.”
Game of Thrones‘ sixth season begins April 24. Watch the latest teaser here.