Emilia Clarke Brings 'Next Life' to Tribeca, 7 Years After 'Game of Thrones' Ended
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 29
Emilia Clarke Brings 'Next Life' to Tribeca, 7 Years After 'Game of Thrones' Ended
3 articles · Updated · Variety · May 29
“Next Life,” a low-budget romantic drama in which Emilia Clarke plays two versions of aspiring singer Ivy, is set to premiere at the Tribeca Festival next month.
Clarke said the film reflects a post-2019 shift in how she measures success: after losing the Emmy for “Game of Thrones,” she decided to choose projects for enjoyment rather than reception.
That reset followed a turbulent stretch that included the backlash to Daenerys Targaryen’s death, underperforming franchise films and the 2022 Marvel series “Secret Invasion,” which she openly acknowledged was poorly received.
Clarke also revisited the personal toll of her rise, including two brain hemorrhages during “Game of Thrones,” her father’s death and the 2019 launch of SameYou, her brain-injury recovery charity.
Now taking lead and producing roles in projects such as “Ponies” and the upcoming “Criminal,” Clarke said she no longer feels trapped by “Game of Thrones” and sees “Next Life” as proof of that change.
Is Emilia Clarke’s new path a blueprint for actor success, or a necessary pivot after a blockbuster career peaks?
How did Emilia Clarke’s secret life-threatening brain injuries shape her iconic performance during the final season of 'Game of Thrones'?
She once felt crushed by an Emmy loss. How has producing 'Ponies' changed her view on its 2026 awards campaign?