As a gamer and avid fan of “Game of Thrones”, I can’t help but reflect on the impact the show has had not just on our collective imagination, but also on the lives of its cast members. Take Nathalie Emmanuel for instance, who played the resilient Missandei. Her journey from Astapor to the Iron Throne and beyond was as captivating as it was heartbreaking.
It’s common knowledge among fans of “Game of Thrones” that the show was quite explicit, earning the term “sexposition” for its blend of nudity and storytelling. Did the cast members who bared it all on this cultural phenomenon carry a certain reputation because of their on-screen nudity? According to Nathalie Emmanuel, there is some truth to that – to an extent.
In a 2021 podcast episode titled “Make it Reign with Josh Smith,” Emmanuel (who played Missandei on the series from Season 3 through its final episode) mentioned that her brief nude scenes in the show had led to a specific image or impression. She explained, “During ‘Game of Thrones,’ I consented to some nude scenes or nudity within the program. When other projects required nudity afterwards, it seemed as though I was ready for anything due to my participation in that one show.”
Besides stating this, Emmanuel clarified that she has faced resistance when it comes to the amount of exposure required for her on-screen roles. She explained, “People have questioned me and said, ‘But this role necessitates such exposure,’ to which I responded, ‘If that’s a requirement for the character, then I’m not comfortable with that level of nudity.’ However, I am willing to expose an appropriate amount, as I believe it is essential for the part.”
Nathalie Emmanuel said she sometimes has to fight against a certain image on set
Besides sharing with Josh Smith that she frequently feels pressured to perform nude scenes due to Missandei’s regular nudity in “Game of Thrones,” Nathalie Emmanuel also expressed that on occasion, she needs to have extensive discussions with the production team about her boundaries regarding what she’s comfortable doing.
In her own words, Emmanuel explained that at times, she needs to be quite assertive with directors when they aim to push her beyond her comfort zone as an actress. She shared a common response she gives to Smith: “Thank you so much for your input, I value it, but I don’t feel that’s essential for this role and it seems we have differing views, which I guess is part of creative disagreements. And that’s alright,” she stated, imitating a phrase she has supposedly used on set previously.
Fortunately, it’s worth noting that Emmanuel often finds common ground with others without much fuss. As the actress explained, “In nine instances out of ten, people are more focused on finding solutions and reaching a compromise.” However, you might be curious about why Emmanuel took off her Missandei costume on “Game of Thrones” and what she’s been up to since the show ended.
Who did Nathalie Emmanuel play on Game of Thrones?
As we mentioned, very few actors escaped “Game of Thrones” without stripping down, but Nathalie Emmanuel’s character Missandei didn’t have to endure that many nude scenes when all was said and done. Introduced in the show’s third season as a slave to Kraznys mo Nakloz (Dan Hildebrand), an evil slave trader in the city of Astapor. As Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), her Dothraki army, and her three teenage dragons prepare to storm Westeros and take the Iron Throne, Daenerys makes a deal with Kraznys to buy his massive army of super-obedient, deeply hardened Unsullied soldiers as well as Missandei … ultimately tricking the greedy man when she kills him with dragonfire.
Daenerys grants independence to the Unsullied and Missandei, yet they decide to remain by her side. Over time, Missandei develops a strong bond with the dragon queen, becoming her dearest friend and most reliable counselor. During their journey, Missandei captivates Grey Worm, the commander of the Unsullied (portrayed by Jacob Anderson in “Interview with the Vampire”), and they share an emotionally moving moment where they spend a night together in Season 7.
Ultimately, Missandei becomes a victim of the intense battle and the poor writing in the final season, leading to her decapitation at the hands of Daenerys’ adversaries just before the series concludes. This abrupt ending was disappointing for both the character and actress Emmanuel, but fortunately, she found new opportunities following “Game of Thrones.”
What has Nathalie Emmanuel been doing since Game of Thrones?
Fortunately for Nathalie Emmanuel, while she was part of the hit series “Game of Thrones”, she also became a part of another huge franchise – the “Fast & Furious” series. In 2015, she made her debut in “Furious 7” as Ramsey, a computer hacker who assists the main team in retrieving the God’s Eye software, a device capable of locating specific individuals (and which can be used for harmful purposes). Emmanuel continued to play Ramsey in “The Fate of the Furious” (2017), “F9” (2021) and “Fast X” (2023), as her character survives until the end of “Fast X”, leaving room for a possible return.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the versatile talent of Emilia Clarke, who graced the silver screen in movies like “The Invitation” and “The Killer”. Post the conclusion of “Game of Thrones” in 2019, she starred in the Hulu original miniseries “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, where I played Maya Jones, moving from the US to London to reconnect with my college friends. With an ensemble including Rebecca Rittenhouse (“The Mindy Project”), John Reynolds (“Search Party”), and Brandon Mychal Smith (“You’re the Worst”), we created a beautiful harmony, alas, it only lasted for one season. Since then, Clarke has contributed her voice to projects such as “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance”, and since 2020, she’s been seen on “Die Hart”.
“Game of Thrones” — including all of its nude scenes — is streaming on Max now.
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2024-08-24 15:00