Nathalie Emmanuel, star of the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” has shared that she was expected to take on nude roles after her steamy roles on the show.
Emmanuel starred as Missandei of Naath in “Game of Thrones.” Her character had an intimate relationship with “Unsullied” war chief, Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson), a eunuch. Missandei’s nude sex scenes with Grey Worm in season 7 were the most talked-about of the entire series. The “Stormborn” episode was hailed for its tender and creative approach toward the couple’s sexual intimacy.
“There’s something unique about it purely because of Grey Worm’s situation — his brutal history of being mutilated — there’s a real sense of trust here and that really plays out in this lovely scene where they physically act upon their love. For him to do that is a really big deal and Missandei knows that and doesn’t really care. She just loves him and that intimacy they’ve shared comes to a head,” the British actress said of the episode at the time.
However, Hollywood had other ideas. Emmanuel says after the scenes, she was generally expected to bare it all.
“When I did Game of Thrones, I agreed toward certain nude scenes or nudity within the show. And the perception from other projects, when the role required nudity, that I was just open to do anything because I did it on that one show. But what people didn’t realize is that I agreed to certain terms and certain things for that one particular project and it didn’t necessarily apply for all projects,” she said on the “Make It Reign with Josh Smith” podcast.
“I’ve had people challenge me and be like, ‘But this part requires that,’ and I said, ‘That’s fine if you require that in a part; I don’t feel comfortable doing that level of nudity. I will do this amount, you know, I can do this, which I think is perfectly necessary for the part.'”
Emmanuel refused to back down. She says her decision not to accept nude roles has led to her walking away from a project, but she has no regrets.
“Well, thank you very much, I appreciate your interest but that’s just not what I feel is necessary for this part and it’s a difference of opinion and differences and that’s fine.’ What I’ve found nine times out of 10, people are much more solutions-based and want to come to a compromise.”
