Emilia Clarke Has 'No Regrets' on Turning Down Starring Role in 'FIFTY SHADES'

Emilia Clarke has no qualms about turning down a chance to be a part of another mega-franchise.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the GAME OF THRONES star confirms that at one time, she was the front runner to lead Sam Taylor-Johnson's film adaptation of E.L. James' best-seller FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, even taking two meetings with the director before ultimately passing on the role of 'Anastasia Steele.'

"I'd done nudity before and was concerned with being labeled for doing it again," she said, confirming she has "no regrets" on turning the project down.

In FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, shy and unassuming literature student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) finds her life forever altered when she interviews the enigmatic Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and is dazzled by the charismatic entrepreneur and his high-flying lifestyle. As the pair embarks on a passionate affair, Ana soon discovers that Grey has dark secrets and desires that will push her to the limits of her imaginationand beyond.

Jamie Dornan (TV's The Fall, Once Upon a Time) and Dakota Johnson (The Social Network, 21 Jump Street) head up a talented cast that includes Eloise Mumford (TV's The River), Max Martini (Captain Phillips), Marcia Gay Harden (Into the Wild), Luke Grimes (HBO's True Blood), Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty), Victor Rasuk (TV's Stalker) and Rita Ora (upcoming Southpaw) in the wildly anticipated film adaptation of one of the fastest-selling book series ever published.

Clarke was born in London and grew up in the Berkshire countryside. After attending school in Oxford, Emilia studied drama at the prestigious Drama Centre School in London. Roles played whilst at Drama Centre included Rosencrantz in Hamlet; Anna in The Government Inspector; Raymonde in A Flea In Her Ear; Besse in Awake and Sing; Orsina in Emilia Galotti; Isabelle in The Changeling and Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. In addition she played Beate in Sense for The Company Of Angels Theatre. After graduating from Drama Centre Emilia began her career with a guest-leading role in the BBC series "Doctors" and a co-leading role in the US Independent feature "Triassic Attack." She then landed the principle role of Danaerys in the hugely successful HBO series "Game of Thrones," winning critical acclaim and a vast fan base. Most recently Emilia starred in the feature film Spike Island, is currently filming the third season of "Game of Thrones" and will soon begin filming UK feature Dom Hemingway opposite Jude Law and Richard E. Grant.

Photos by Walter McBride

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