For the first six seasons of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) has loomed as a potential threat to the iron throne. And for her efforts Clarke has earned three Emmy nominations as Best Drama Supporting Actress (2013, 2015, 2016). At the beginning of the seventh season, she and her dragons finally made their way to Westeros and began integrating with the rest of the massive cast. With only one season left, Clarke’s storyline is front and center and so it’s time to promote her to the lead category.
“Game of Thrones” should at least attempt putting Clarke in the lead category at the Golden Globes where the show has only picked up one win for Dinklage (2012) and one nomination for Headey (2017). They’ve really got nothing to lose as the HFPA has never embraced the show. Should she get nominated or even win, it would prove she belongs in the lead category at the 2018 Emmys. Below are the Top 4 reasons why Clarke should go lead at the upcoming Golden Globes.
1. Fire and Ice
The official anthology title for “Game of Thrones” is “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Clarke’s Daenerys (fire) and Kit Harington‘s Jon Snow (ice) not only met for the first time in the seventh season, but their storylines merged together. Since they’re appearing in longer consecutive scenes and symbolize George R.R. Martin‘s series as a whole it only makes sense for the woman at the center to be considered a lead.
2. Free-up a Slot
When “GoT” competed at the 2016 Emmys Clarke was joined by co-stars Lena Headey and Maisie Williams in the Best Drama Supporting Actress category. That unfortunately left Sophie Turner, who gave a deserving performance throughout the sixth season, on the sidelines. If Clarke is promoted to the lead category it would free-up a slot for another actress like Turner or Gwendoline Christie to earn some recognition of their own.
3. Hero vs. Villain
As the seasons have come and gone it’s clear that Clarke’s Daenerys is a more heroic character. While she might ride a fire-breathing dragon, she’s willing to risk her own life for her cause. Meanwhile, Headey’s Cersei is clearly villainous as she is willing to do whatever it takes to reach her goals, but usually doesn’t do her own dirty work. Villainous characters typically do better in the supporting categories, like this year’s Emmy winner Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), because you love to hate them.
4. Along for the Ride
In 2015, “Game of Thrones” won Best Drama Series at the Emmys for the first time, picking up Best Drama Directing, Best Drama Writing and Best Drama Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage. Dinklage’s win was considered an upset victory and very likely he went along for the ride with the series as a whole. If Clarke goes lead and “Game of Thrones” continues picking up awards, she could hear her name called as part of a possible sweep.
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