Game of Thrones season 5: Emilia Clarke praises characters who 'accept their femininity'

The HBO series has come under fire for misogyny but the actresses regularly defend it

Daenyrys, Queen of Dragons, played by Emilia Clarke (HBO)

Emilia Clarke has defended Game of Thrones against accusations of misogyny by praising the wealth of strong female characters in the HBO fantasy series.

The English actress plays Iron Throne contender Daenerys Targaryen in the hit TV drama, returning for its season five premiere on Sunday night.

Sexual violence and nudity are common themes, but Clarke insists that the show's women are empowered by their sense of self.

“You start to see them accepting who they are and embodying that with such power that it's palpable,” she told Radio Times, referring to upcoming storylines.

“I think that’s the beauty of the show: as women, we accept our femininity and take strength from it, as opposed to trying to hide it and behave in a masculine way.”

Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, has also promised big changes in the new episodes.

“When I say, ‘There’s a massive change in Game of Thrones’, I think it’s the first time I've actually meant it!,“ she said. ”People are going to think, ‘You go through a change every year!’

“But this year it’s on a completely different level, and that’s why it’s so exciting. It sounds so broad, but actually ‘change’ is really, really specific.”