Emilia Clarke hits back at claims Game of Thrones is ‘sexist’ and ‘anti-feminist’

Hitting back: Emilia Clarke defends the portrayal on women in Game of Thrones
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby30 March 2016
The Weekender

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Emilia Clarke has hit back at claims that Game of Thrones is ‘sexist’ towards its female characters.

The British actress, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in the hugely successful series, has defended the ‘range’ of female depiction.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clarke said: “There's so much controversy.

“Yet that's what's beautiful about Game of Thrones - its depiction of women in so many different stages of development.

Game of Thrones: Season 6

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“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.”

The 29-year-old added: “So it pains me to hear people taking Thrones out of context with anti-feminist spin - because you can't do that about this show.

“'It shows the range that happens to women, and ultimately shows women are not only equal, but have a lot of strength.”

The show – which is about to air its sixth series next month – has come under fire for a number of hard-hitting scenes including a brutal rape and a controversial incestuous relationship.

The new series will air on HBO and Sky Atlantic on April 24.

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