Game of Thrones season 6: Emilia Clarke reveals why Daenerys' rape matters to the story

'You need that part of the story to feel empathy for Daenerys'

Game of Thrones has had its fair share of controversies over the years, mainly centred on the fantasy series' depiction of rape.

Only last year, a controversial season five episode featured a scene which saw Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) force new wife Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) into consummating their marriage - a twist fans deemed offensive for several reasons, including the fact the moment doesn't occur in George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

This wasn't the first time Thrones has included such a scene, however: back in season one, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) was raped by her new husband Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), the action shown in the TV series as a customary ritual of the fictional Dothraki race.

Five years on, Clarke has spoken out about this scene in a new interview with Glamour.

"Well, Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s arranged marriage, and the customary rape that followed—ask George R.R. Martin why he did that, ’cause that’s on him," Clarke levelled.

"But," she continued, "I thought the consensual sex she has thereafter was genius. She is physically saying, 'You can’t rape me again. I’m going to be in control and show you something you’ve never seen before.'”

The actor suggested she believes fans were placated by the way Daenerys' storyline has transpired since the first season.

"At the heart of it, we’re telling a story; you need that part of the story to feel empathy for Daenerys. You see her attacked by her brother, raped by her husband, and then going, 'Fuck all of you, I’m gonna rule the world.' That’s where we are now."

In the US, season six will debut on HBO on the 24 April at 9pm. It will be simulcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic, at 2am on the 25 April.

In anticipation, we've rounded up all the details we know so far into one convenient place for your reading pleasure.