Emilia Clarke has confessed her apprehension about possibly being let go from her role in Game Of Thrones after experiencing a brain injury.
The 37-year-old played the character Daenerys Targaryen in the fantasy series and encountered a brain bleed while exercising in a gym in north London in 2011.
Clarke opted to keep news of her injury private and mostly concealed it from her co-workers on the show.
However, she expressed her concern that the executives might doubt her capability to perform her duties following the brain bleed.
In 2013, doctors also detected a secondary brain haemorrhage while she was still actively involved in the series.
Challenges After the Brain Injury
In a recent interview with the Big Issue, she delved into the challenges she faced upon returning to work after her brain injury.
Clarke and mum Jennifer Clarke, co-founders of brain injury charity SameYou. Pic: PA
Clarke remarked, “When you sustain a brain injury, because it significantly alters your sense of self, all the uncertainties you carry into the workplace magnify overnight.”
“The primary fear we all harbored was: ‘Oh dear, will I lose my job? Will they dismiss me due to doubts about my competence?'”
Although back at work a few weeks after her initial brain bleed, Clarke recounted her fear of succumbing to another haemorrhage induced by the stress and scrutiny of performing in front of an extensive audience and cameras.
After recuperating from her injuries, Clarke and her mother, Jennifer Clarke, established a foundation to aid individuals with brain injuries.
The pair even received MBEs earlier this year for their contributions in forming the charity SameYou.
Post-Injury Advocacy
Previously, Clarke mentioned feeling “fragile, sensitive, and fearful” following her brain injury.
She expressed astonishment at the inadequacy of rehabilitation services, leading to the focus on rehab becoming a central aspect of her charity.
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