'Game of Thrones' star Emilia Clarke says goodbye to show that 'shaped me as a woman'
The show's top stars penned heartfelt notes about their experiences.
Millions aid goodbye to "Game of Thrones" Sunday night. It was an emotional ending for many fans but maybe even more so for the actors and actresses who grew up on the show over the past decade.
Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen, wrote a beautiful tribute about how the show shaped the woman she has become.
"The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life," she said. "This woman has taken up the whole of my heart. I’ve sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice."
She continued, "'Game of Thrones' has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we’ve flown."
To her "magical fans," Clarke had the sweetest of tributes.
"I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we’ve made and what I’ve done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams. Without you there is no us. And now our watch has ended," she concluded.
Clarke wasn't the only cast member to write such an incredible tribute.
Sophie Turner, who played the unbreakable Sansa Stark, also shared her heart Sunday night, sending a message directly to the brave woman she played.
"Sansa, Thank you for teaching me resilience, bravery and what true strength really is," she penned. "Thank you teaching me to be kind and patient and to lead with love. I grew up with you. I fell in love with you at 13 and now 10 years on.. at 23 I leave you behind, but I will never leave behind what you’ve taught me."
She also thanked the cast, crew and of course, the "Thrones" nation.
"To the show and the incredible people who make it, thank you for giving me the best life and drama lessons I could have ever asked for," she went on. "Without you I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you for giving me this chance all those years ago. And finally to the fans. Thank you for falling in love with these characters and supporting this show right through till the end. I’ll miss this more than anything."
Gwendoline Christie posted a photo of her and Kit Harington on Instagram of the moment where she learns the ending to "Thrones."
And last but not least, John Bradley, who played the beloved Samwell Tarly, added his own note.
"It’s the final step of a long and wonderful journey. A journey that, for me, started at 10am on Monday 19th of July 2010. I know this because recently I found my rehearsal and prep schedule for season 1, week 1 ... Listed here is the rehearsal where I first met Kit, and the first time I wore the costume that’s seen me through 8 seasons. I’m glad I kept this," he wrote.
He added, "Back then we couldn’t have known the journey we’d go on together. I wouldn’t swap that experience, or those people, for the world. Enjoy the episode and thanks for everything."
The cast all deserves to take a bow for their hard work and dedication to the world this show helped to build based off the iconic books.