Emilia Clarke’s Wildest Game of Thrones Memory Involves Brad Pitt
Emilia Clarke shares the unforgettable story of Brad Pitt bidding to watch Game of Thrones with her at a charity auction, calling it the most surreal and glorious moment of her career.
Starring in Game of Thrones brought its fair share of hurdles, but it also delivered some truly unforgettable moments for the cast. For Emilia Clarke, one of the most jaw-dropping experiences came at the height of the show's fame, when she realized just how many celebrities were hooked on the fantasy epic. In a world overflowing with entertainment choices, it's rare for a TV series to become a cultural phenomenon that unites people from all walks of life. While blockbuster franchises like The Avengers or The Lord of the Rings have managed this on the big screen, nothing on television matched the frenzy surrounding Game of Thrones.
Even though the series' reputation took a hit after its controversial final season, it still managed to spark excitement and curiosity among industry insiders who had nothing to do with its production. To harness this buzz for a good cause, Sean Penn invited the cast to his annual charity auction, where guests could bid for the chance to watch a new episode alongside stars like Clarke. For the actors, it was a moment of realization—seeing firsthand the impact their work had on their peers. But for Clarke, the night took an unexpected turn when one of Hollywood 's biggest names entered the bidding war.
Brad Pitt’s Unforgettable Bid
Clarke recounted the surreal moment to The Guardian, saying,
“Brad fucking Pitt comes to my rescue! I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. It was, to this day, the strangest, most glorious moment of my adult life.”
Although Pitt was ultimately outbid by one of Clarke’s friends, his gesture left a lasting impression. Despite his own superstar status and a career filled with box office hits, Pitt was eager to get a sneak peek at the next chapter in George R.R. Martin’s saga. For Clarke, it was a sign of respect she’d never forget.
Life After Westeros
Clarke’s journey after Game of Thrones has been a mixed bag. While some of her co-stars, like Peter Dinklage and Charles Dance, were already established actors before joining the series, others—such as Richard Madden and Jason Momoa —used their early exits to branch out into new roles. Clarke, on the other hand, spent seven seasons as one of the show’s central figures, a role that has defined much of her career so far.
Her post-Thrones projects haven’t always hit the mark. Taking on the iconic role of Sarah Connor in Terminator: Genisys seemed like a golden opportunity, but the film ’s muddled storyline left little room for her to shine, even though she delivered a strong performance reminiscent of Linda Hamilton. Still, Clarke is looking to showcase her comedic chops in the upcoming spy comedy Ponies, where she’ll star alongside Haley Lu Richardson for Peacock.