Game of Thrones character Daenerys Stormborn has been blond since birth. The actress Emilia Clarke, on the other hand, is a natural brunette—and for seven seasons, has worn elaborate wigs on screen. But now, it appears that Clarke is taking a beauty cue from her on screen persona, by dying her hair a Targaryen-approved shade of bright platinum blond.
She wrote on Instagram: “AAAAHHHHHHH SHHHHIIIII** I done did it. Mother of dragons meet Emilia. Emilia meet mother of dragons. If you squint just so you might never know. ?⚡️ All hail to the magnificence of @kevalexanderhair and @candicebanks74 the genius creators of ‘KHALEESI WIG’ (and not forgetting all the hair on game of thrones for 8 glorious years) for at long last making this magical moment a reality. ??❤️????#khaleesikicksoff #gameofthrones #cominghomeneverfeltsogood”
It’s impossible to discuss this hair change without wondering what this could mean for the show. Typically when an actress is commissioned for a series, they’re under contract to keep their hair as is until filming for the season is under wraps. (See: Why the Modern Family and PLL girls always switched their hair between seasons.) Of course, Clarke wears a wig on Game of Thrones, so that makes this a little less telling. But half the fun of GoT is the speculation of what means what and what’s to come.
First, we know there’s plenty of symbolism that go into the hair and costume choices of the characters on GoT. And toward the end of season 7, there was that whole theory about how Dany’s latest hairstyle was mimicking Khal Drogo’s. Fans hypothesized she might even end up cutting off her ponytail. (Remember her brother Viserys’ explanation in season 1? “When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame.”) Considering her devastating loss of Viserion, maybe this is how the Mother of Dragons will mourn.
The second theory is less plot-driven, more context clues. Look at the photo behind Clarke in her Instagram. It’s the Hound! That makes me wonder if this means she’s back in a set dressing room. It’s a little early for season 8 filming—they’re reportedly set to regroup in October—but it’s not too far off for her to be prepping. Also, she tagged and credited her GoT stylists Kevin Alexander and Candice Banks for the change, so that has to have something to do something with the show.
Perhaps Clarke is just trying to appease fans of the show? Recently, the actress told InStyle that she regularly meets Game of Thrones viewers who are shocked by her appearance in real life. “I feel bad when I meet people and they realize I’m Khaleesi, and they get disappointed because we look nothing alike,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Sorry, that ain’t really me! It’s a wig.’ No human is that beautiful. Young people get this warped view of what beauty is because of the time, money, and effort that go into productions to make people look great.”
Whatever the reason, we’ve got a long time to wait and find out. In the meantime, Clarke’s in good company.
Celebrating Games of Thrones‘ Best On-Screen Beauty Moments
The role of Brienne of Tarth played by actress Gwendoline Christie, wears her platinum blonde locks in a tousled pixie cut.
Actress Maisie Williams who plays the role of Arya Stark, keeps her shoulder length brunette waves in a sleek half up do.
The role of Melisandre played by actress Carice van Houten wears her dark auburn locks middle-parted in twisted half up do.
Actress Natalie Dormer who plays the role of Margaery Tyrell, wears her light brown waves in a middle-parted twisted half up do.
The role of Talisa Stark played by actress Oona Chaplin, keeps her hair in a tousled french braid with loose pieces framing her face.
The role of Cersei Lannister played by actress Lena Headey wears her golden blonde locks in a grown out pixie with short, tousled bangs framing her face.
The role of Lady Crane played by actress Essie Davis wears her wavy blonde curls middle-parted in an elegant, twisted half up do.
Actress Sophie Turner who plays the role of Sansa Stark keeps her fiery red hair middle-parted in a braided half up do.
Actress Natalia Tena plays the role of Osha, keeping her brunette messy waves in a loosely tousled half up do.
Actress Jessica Henwick who plays the role of Nym Sand, wears her dark brunette locks in a side-parted french braid.
The role of Shae played by actress Sibel Kekilli, wears her dark brunette locks middle-parted in tight, voluminous curls.
The role of Yara Greyjoy played by actress Gemma Whelan, wears her shoulder length brunette curls in a swept back half up do.
The role of Missandei played by actress Nathalie Emmanuel, keeps her tight curls in a voluminous bob embellished with a golden headband.
Actress Emilia Clarke who plays the role of Daenerys Targaryen, wears her long platinum blonde curls in a braided low pony with embellished braids and loose curls framing her face.
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