Clarke was born to Peter Clarke and Jennifer “Jenny” Clarke. Her father, Peter, who passed away in July 2016 from cancer, was a British theatre sound engineer known for his work in London’s West End, fostering Emilia’s early love for the performing arts. Her mother, Jenny, is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who has served as a director at a marketing company and later co-founded a skincare brand; she also inspired Emilia’s resilience, especially during her health struggles. Emilia has one older brother, Bennett Clarke, who works in the entertainment industry, reportedly in camera and electrical departments on projects like Game of Thrones, where he overlapped with his sister’s time on set. The family grew up in Oxfordshire, England, after moving from London, maintaining a close-knit dynamic that Emilia has often credited for her grounded nature.

Clarke’s acting career is a remarkable journey that spans television, film, and theater, showcasing her versatility and cementing her as a global star. She began with modest roots, taking on small roles after graduating from the Drama Centre London in 2009. Her first credited TV appearance was a guest spot as Saskia Mayer in the British medical drama Doctors in 2009, followed by her film debut in the short Drop the Dog that same year. Her breakthrough came in 2011 when she landed the role of Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones after Tamzin Merchant exited the project. Initially auditioning for a different role, Clarke’s portrayal of the fierce yet vulnerable “Mother of Dragons” across all eight seasons (2011–2019) earned her critical acclaim, four Emmy nominations, and worldwide recognition, despite early nerves—she famously improvised a dance during her audition to win over producers.

Parallel to GoT, Clarke expanded into film. In 2012, she starred in the indie Spike Island, a coming-of-age tale about Stone Roses fans, showing her range beyond fantasy. Her first major cinematic role came in 2015 with Terminator Genisys, playing Sarah Connor opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger; though the film received mixed reviews, it grossed over $440 million globally. In 2016, she took a softer turn as Louisa Clark in the romantic drama Me Before You, adapted from Jojo Moyes’ novel, which became a box-office hit, earning $208 million and highlighting her charm in emotional roles. She entered the Star Wars universe in 2018 as Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story, proving her action-heroine chops despite the film’s lukewarm reception. That year, she also produced and starred in the short Leading Lady Parts, a satirical take on casting biases, earning praise for its sharp commentary.

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Theater remained a passion—she debuted on Broadway in 2013 as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a challenging role that tested her stage presence, though reviews were mixed. In 2019, she returned to rom-com territory with Last Christmas, co-starring Henry Golding, which grossed $123 million and leaned on her comedic timing, followed by the thriller Above Suspicion, where she played an FBI informant. During the 2020 pandemic, she voiced a character in The Amazing Maurice, released in 2022, and starred in the TV movie Murder Manual. That year, she also led the West End production of The Seagull as Nina, earning strong reviews until a brain injury flare-up forced her to step back temporarily.

In 2023, Clarke joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing G’iah in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion, a shape-shifting Skrull, adding another franchise to her resume despite the show’s modest reception. She followed this with The Pod Generation, a sci-fi satire with Chiwetel Ejiofor, winning a jury award at Deauville. Upcoming projects include McCarthy, where she’ll portray Jean Kerr opposite Michael Shannon, and An Ideal Wife, as Constance Lloyd, Oscar Wilde’s spouse, signaling her shift toward complex historical roles. Beyond acting, Clarke co-authored the 2022 comic M.O.M.: Mother of Madness, blending superhero tropes with feminist themes, reflecting her creative ambition. Despite surviving two brain aneurysms (in 2011 and 2013) during her GoT peak, which she detailed in a 2019 New Yorker essay, Clarke’s career thrives, balancing blockbuster appeal with artistic depth, underpinned by her advocacy for brain injury awareness through her charity, SameYou.