Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is making a triumphant return to TV, but it’s not the type of role I’m really dying to see her in. The actor rose to prominence playing Daenerys Targaryen in the hit HBO series, but she hasn’t managed to find a role with the same level of impact since. Though Clarke’s performances since Game of Thrones have been strong, the movies she has been cast in have failed to take advantage of her proven capabilities. Now, Prime Video’s Criminal could turn things around, but I am still disappointed that she has yet to be cast in a particular type of series.
Criminal is another lesser-known comic book series that Prime Video has decided to take on, and this is certainly something to be excited about. Described as an action-packed crime noir, Criminal follows, as the title suggests, a variety of criminals, from corrupt police officers to petty thieves. The series will star Clarke alongside actor Charlie Hunnam, with other notable cast members like Adria Arjona, Pat Healy, and John Hawkes. Clarke’s character, Mallory, is edgy and complex, so this is certainly a series to tune into. Still, I find myself disappointed by this return to TV.
I’m Desperate To See Emilia Clarke In A Period Or Political Drama
It Doesn’t Have To Be Fantasy
Like many who came to know Clarke as an actor thanks to her work on Game of Thrones, I’ve been disappointed that she hasn’t taken on anything close since. Of course, I understand why she wouldn’t just right into another fantasy. After such a massively successful series and high-profile role, being typecast is an understandable fear. However, it seems that Clarke went entirely in the opposite direction. None of her roles since have in any way captured the kind of intense regalness she brought to the screen playing Daenerys, and this feels like such a waste.
None of her roles since have in any way captured the kind of intense regalness she brought to the screen playing Daenerys, and this feels like such a waste.
It’s for this reason that I would love to see Clarke’s return to TV be some kind of period political drama rather than another action-based project. Gunslingers are undoubtedly cool, but these sorts of characters don’t allow Clarke to shine in the way she did in Game of Thrones. I want to see her as a badass leader, perhaps this time in a historical drama rather than a fantasy. It would be a refreshing but familiar way for Clarke to come back from her more recent roles that have fallen flat.
Why Emilia Clarke’s Roles Since Game Of Thrones Haven’t Quite Cut It
Clarke Shines As A Character With Less Traditional Strength
Clarke has proven she is a spectacular actor, but her projects since Game of Thrones have been disappointing. While Game of Thrones was still on the air, Clarke played Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys (2015), which failed to impress critics or justify its lofty budget at the box office. In the years following, she joined the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, but both films were flops within their respective IP. Clarke’s venture into romance was reasonably successful, with Me Before You performing well at the box office. However, the triumph was short-lived.
I’ve enjoyed the variety that Clarke has brought to the table since Game of Thrones, but many of these projects haven’t capitalized on her strengths as an actor. Action-based roles, as seen in Terminator, Star Wars, and Marvel’s Secret Invasion, have become a dime in a dozen, but Clarke has already proven herself capable of more nuanced performances. She can say a great deal with only the raise of an eyebrow, a glance down her nose, or a kind smile. She’s best suited to a long-form TV series with twists, turns, and political intrigue, but Clarke hasn’t taken this opportunity again.
Could Criminal Turn Things Around For Emilia Clarke?
It’s Not A Period Drama, But Criminal Could Still Be Clarke’s Best Since Game Of Thrones
Of course, it’s always possible that Criminal will surprise me. I’m desperate to see Clarke take on another highly complicated character full of nuance and unspoken depth. Her character, Mallory, certainly checks some of these boxes. She is a cunning robber with a quick gun and even quicker wits. Clarke will also get a romance arc in Criminal, which plays to her strengths as an actor. While I still feel that a character with less traditional strength would be a better fit for Clarke’s return to TV, it’s certainly possible that Mallory will be her best role since Game of Thrones.