While Game of Thrones didn't always impress viewers with the way it adapted the source material, one thing that many fans likely agree on is how the casting helped bring the story to life. Whether love them or hate them, the characters on GOT helped to keep everyone talking, and that was no different for Missandei and her portrayer, Nathalie Emmanuel. The actress starred on the fantasy hit from Season 3 through Season 8 and is now admitting that she had some trouble with other jobs after agreeing to do nudity on Game of Thrones.
We've heard before from Game of Thrones stars like Emilia Clarke about how doing nudity on the drama impacted her both while working on the show and when trying to get jobs outside of the HBO staple. While Nathalie Emmanuel has gone on to other projects like the Fast & Furious franchise, and Amazon's Four Weddings and a Funeral, she appeared on the Make It Reign podcast recently and spoke about her time on GOT and how it affected her career outside of it when it came to being asked to do nudity, saying:
When I did Game of Thrones, I agreed to work certain nude scenes or nudity within the show and the perception of that from other projects, when the role required nudity was that I was just, like, open to do anything because I did it on that one show. But what people didn’t realize was that, you know I agreed to certain terms and specific things for that one particular project. And it didn’t necessarily apply to all projects.
Even though Nathalie Emmanuel wasn't naked a lot on Game of Thrones, it turns out that it didn't really matter when it came time for her to attempt booking other jobs. As she told it, simply because she'd agreed to do nudity on GOT, the assumption was then made that she would be more than eager to do it again for any other film or television show. On top of that, it sounds like it was also seen as a guarantee that she'd do literally anything nudity-wise for a role.
But, Emmanuel talked about how she learned not only to say no and take care of her needs, but to push back on those expectations, especially when it came to a part she really wanted. She spoke about being able to voice what she was willing to do with the creatives on those projects, and seeing whether or not a more realistic agreement which fell in line with her wants could be reached. And, luckily, being both able and very willing to turn a part down when such negotiation doesn't work, has turned out well for Emmanuel. She continued, and said:
And I definitely had people kind of challenge me being like, ‘But this part requires that.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s fine, if you require that in the part then I don’t feel comfortable doing that level of nudity. I will do this amount. I can do this.’ What I feel is necessary for the part. Frankly, if someone was like, ‘Well we need this nudity.’ I would be like, ‘Well, thank you very much, I appreciate your interest, but that’s just not what I feel is necessary for this part.’ It’s a difference of opinion and creative differences and that’s fine. What I’ve found nine times out of 10 is that people are much more solution based and want to come to a compromise.
Fortunately, Nathalie Emmauel said that, even though it has often made her nervous to speak out in these instances and voice how she's feeling, people tend to be way more willing to work though the situations with her and figure out how to come to something that works for both parties. Which is good to hear, because it's always a joy to watch Emmanuel on screen, and fans want to see her as much as possible.
Nathalie Emmanuel will next be seen in F9, and the TV series Unsinkable, but for more to watch right now, check out our guide to 2021 summer TV premieres!
