Emilia Clarke was the picture of joy as she danced and laughed with her co-star Haley Lu Richardson on the red carpet in New York City this week. The pair were celebrating the premiere of their new spy thriller, Ponies, at The Whitby Hotel on Wednesday evening.
Red Carpet Revelry and Standout Styles
The 39-year-old Game of Thrones icon and 30-year-old Richardson shared a moment of pure fun, giggling and striking playful poses for photographers. Clarke commanded attention in an elegant black floor-length gown featuring a classic bateau neckline. She accessorised with pointed heels, a silver necklace, and a sleek low bun, her look punctuated by a bold slash of pillar box red lipstick.
Richardson made a daring fashion statement in a brown mesh leopard-print mini dress adorned with white lace frills. The revealing ensemble, which showed her thong underwear, was paired with chic black peep-toe heels.
Behind the Scenes of 'Ponies' and Personal Struggles
The film at the heart of the festivities, Ponies, is a Cold War-era spy thriller set in the 1970s. Clarke and Richardson play CIA operatives named Bea and Twila, respectively, who join forces to investigate the deaths of their husbands.
In a recent candid interview, Emilia reflected on the difficult period following the conclusion of HBO's Game of Thrones in 2019. She confessed to suffering a 'full mental breakdown' after the show, which had dominated her life for nearly a decade, came to an end.
'It was the first time in my professional life that I stopped,' she told The New York Times. 'I had a full mental breakdown. It was almost as if the timing of the pandemic was bang on.' She explained that the monumental role of Daenerys Targaryen, which she began at age 22, left little room for personal reflection during filming.
Moving Beyond Dragons and Facing Health Fears
Clarke was unequivocal about her future career path, stating, 'You're highly unlikely to see me get on a dragon, or even in the same frame as a dragon, ever again.' She expressed a desire for more autonomy in her choices, noting much of her early career 'didn't reflect my taste'.
The actress also revisited the profound impact of the two brain aneurysms she survived in 2011 and 2013. The health crises, which occurred during the filming of Game of Thrones, left her 'altered on a dramatic level' and filled with insecurity. Her immediate fear was professional: 'Oh my God, am I going to get fired?' she recalled thinking. Clarke has since recovered with, thankfully, no lasting repercussions.
The premiere was also attended by fellow cast members including Vic Michaelis, Nicholas Podany, Artjom Gilz, and Petro Ninovskyi, who all posed for photos on the red carpet.
