Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke blames Battle of Winterfell for Daenerys’ decline into bloodlust

GAME of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke has blamed the Battle of Winterfell for Daenerys’ decline into bloodlust.

The Queen of Dragons descended into madness in the eighth and final season of the hit HBO series, burning King's Landing - and all its inhabitants - to the ground as she battled for the throne.

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But Emilia, 33, has revealed in a new behind-the-scenes documentary that her alter ego's thirst for blood had started at the Battle of Winterfell.

The epic battle was the focus of episode three in season eight, with Daenerys fighting the Night King and his army for her throne.

In the behind-the-scenes featurette called When Winter Falls, the actress explained Daenerys' position, saying: "In the actual battle itself, Dany’s impatient to get in there. She’s like, gunning for a fight. She’s ready to take this guy down.

";She’s a fierce warrior, although you don’t see a lot of hand-to-hand combat with her, she’s ready to fight to the death."

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In a sign of the devastation and destruction to come from Daenerys, Emilia added: "Especially at this point, there’s a lot of anger – she’s got all of that in her to put into this fight.

"It’s not just the matter at hand, but I think because of everything at an emotional level that’s gone on, she’s able to go into her cold-blooded side."

Her determination to succeed came at a price though, as while Daenerys won the battle, she lost the faithful Jorah Mormont (Iain Glenn), who died defending his Queen.

And in the end, she lost the war, as the series ended with her lover Jon Snow (Kit Harington) killing her to stop any further bloodshed.

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Speaking about her time on the show, Emilia said: "What I realised the other day is the show has given me more than just a job, it’s literally given me a family, it’s given me an identity that I didn’t have.

"I didn’t think I’d ever be able to play someone like this and so she’s been such a saviour for me in so many ways."

The final season of Game of Thrones and the full series boxset is available on DVD and Blu-ray from 2nd December.

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