After portraying the iconic Daenerys Targaryen for eight unforgettable seasons on HBO’s legendary series Game of Thrones, it’s easy to imagine Emilia Clarke keeping a memento (or three) from her time as the Mother of Dragons. From epic battles to dragon flights over Westeros, Clarke’s performance became a defining feature of the fantasy series. Yet, despite her central role in one of television’s most influential shows, Clarke walked away from the set empty-handed.
In a candid conversation during Variety’s Actors on Actors interview series with Regina Hall, Clarke revealed her surprising regret: “I didn’t take anything, and I deeply regret it, and I’m very annoyed. I’m really hoping that the showrunners give me a dragon. I need my smelly socks. I think I did take those.” While a pair of worn socks might have made their way into her suitcase, the real treasures—props that could serve as cherished keepsakes—never did.
One item in particular fans might expect Clarke to have kept are Daenerys’ dragon eggs. These intricately designed props played a pivotal role in the Game of Thrones universe, first appearing as a wedding gift and ultimately hatching into the three dragons that helped define Daenerys’ rise to power. Unfortunately, those memorable relics were off-limits. Speaking to People magazine, Clarke said, “I wanted to keep the eggs, dammit, but they weren’t giving them!”
Given the cultural impact of Game of Thrones and Clarke’s central role, it’s a bit surprising that the actress wasn’t gifted something symbolic to commemorate her years of dedication to the show. Other cast members reportedly received keepsakes or parting gifts, but Clarke’s only consolation seems to be the hope that one day, the showrunners might finally bestow her with a dragon or at least something dragon-adjacent.
Still, Clarke’s time on Game of Thrones left a lasting legacy. She not only became a global star but also embodied one of the most complex and talked-about characters in modern television history. And while she may not have taken home any physical reminders from the set, her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen remains unforgettable.
As fans continue to revisit the epic saga through reruns and streaming platforms, the allure of Westeros and the actress who brought fire and fury to life continues to burn brightly. Hopefully, one day Emilia Clarke gets the dragon (or at least the egg) she deserves.
