Essentially, Im a hostage, but not really, cause Sean Beans lovely.

He gives me free run of the castle.

Emilia Clarke:I play Daenerys Targaryen, and Im an exiled princess.

Im on the run, essentially.

I start off as an incredibly submissive creature, who doesnt have her own freewill at all.

So, I have no early family at all, and Im very submissive.

She has a very creepy relationship with her brother…

EC:Yeah.

To keep the line pure, the Targaryen family always marries brother to sister.

So, theres that in there as well.

What was it like working on set, because from our perspective, it looks pretty epic.

EC:Yeah, Id say it was pretty epic.

A lot of the locations we had were incredibly epic.

The locations in and around Belfast were quite incredible, and the sets themselves were so detailed.

They put so much into each set, it felt like a film set.

AA:It was crazy.

They had these little huts outside for the armourers, all these people working on the production.

It was just a different scale.

Ive been on film sets before, but nothing on that scale.

It was pretty incredible.

What was it like working with the cast?

Were you star struck by Sean Bean?

AA:I got to spend some time with Sean.

Hes a very serious actor and I respect that completely.

I wouldnt say I was star struck, no.

It was just great seeing people like him work.

And Mark Addy as well, whos just a legend, in my opinion.

It was great to see them work, to see their methods.

It was really cool.

Relaxed, as well.

EC:I think the calibre of acting was really good.

And I got to work with Iain Glen, whos a legend.

I mean, the scale ofGame Of Thronesis on a par with a film.

EC:Its like a ten hour film, basically.

EC:The calibre of TVs changing.

Its becoming much more epic.

To rival film, definitely.

AA:I think that the worlds climate, in that sense, is changing.

EC:HBO can push those boundaries, as well.

AA:And its not a show for kids!

[laughs]

HBO Representative:Dont forget that HBO has no advertisers.

EC:So, you have no obligation to not offend anyone.

So, its that lack of obligation that gives HBO the freedom to make these kind of shows.

HBO Rep:Certainly one of them.

Were also invited into the home.

Its a pay subscription.

EC:Also, I thinkGame Of Thronesis incredibly true to the books.

I think the fans will, hopefully, be very pleased with how true to the books we are.

I dont know if youve read them, but they are grotesque and there are sexual things in them.

Had either of you read the books before you began working on the series?

AA:I have to admit, I hadnt.

EC:It was during the audition process for me.

Thats when I started to read them as well.

George R R Martin just kills off characters like that [thumps hand on the table].

I think itll be quite a shock.

EC:There are loads of shocks, definitely.

Do you prefer TV to film, or is this the perfect hybrid?

AA:I think its the perfect hybrid, yeah.

But I dont have any preference.

I just love acting, man.

[laughs]

EC:Ditto.

I want to do everything.

How long was the shoot?

EC:Oh, goodness me.

We had read-throughs in July, where we got to meet everyone, so we all got really excited.

Then we didnt see each other for two months.

AA:There was only one point where we were all together as one big crew.

EC:Because theres so many different plotlines going on.

Was there any training you had to do before you started filming?

AA:I didnt have to do much sword training.

I was in the gym for about five months.

And Id never done that before in my life.

That sounds quite traumatic.

AA:It was great!

It was traumatic to start off with, but then you get into it.

Are you keeping it up?

AA:[Taps stomach] Roast dinners and chocolate cake.

[laughs] Im getting back into it now, but over Christmas I stopped.

EC:In episode two the work pays off.

AA:[Conspiratorially] In episode four it pays off.

EC:Oh, yeah.

[laughs]

AA:I cant give too much away.

I was a mean shot, actually.

Its better when you dont think about what youre doing.

I snowboard as well, and its better when you dont think about a trick.

If I do, I just mess it up.

AA:Well, theres always talk, isnt there?

I dont know yet.

Ive yet to hear anything.

But Ive got my fingers crossed.

HBO Rep:Do you want the official HBO word?

Theres no pick-up yet.

Its not been picked up yet.

So, clearly, youd be up for a second series.

Which means you both survive this one, presumably.

EC:Youll have to watch and see.

Or read the books.

The information is there!

IsGame Of Thronesthe kind of thing youd watch on TV?

Anything with HBO is great, without sounding too brownnosing.

With Sky Atlantic, theyre really starting to be gathered.

AA:Im watchingGeneration Killat the moment.

EC:Its so good.

I was watchingBand Of Brothersthe other day.

AA:I havent watched that.

EC:Its amazing.

Its all boxsets now.

EC:Game Of Thronesis your favourite!

Six Feet Unders final episode?

Thank you both very much.

Game Of Thronesmakes its UK premiere on the 18th April on Sky Atlantic.

Check back next week for lots moreGame Of Thronesgoodies…