It's difficult to imagine another variation of Daenerys not being portrayed by Emilia Clarke, but back in 2010, she was not the directors' first choice to land the role. In August 2009, shortly after Clarke had finished drama school, HBO announced that Pride & Prejudice and The Tudors actress Tamzin Merchant would star as Daenerys. She even filmed the pilot, but left the project in March 2010, clearing the path for Emilia Clarke to accept the part. No official reasons for her departure were ever presented, though George R.R. Martin later confirmed that there were no issues with her performances.
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