Foxtel apologizes after CEO calls Emilia Clarke a 'short, dumpy girl' at 'House of the Dragon' premiere
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: 'Game of Thrones' actress Emilia Clarke drew attention when an Australian TV company's chairman called her a "short and dumpy girl." Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany delivered the controversial remarks on August 16, at the Sydney screening of HBO's much-awaited series 'House of the Dragon'.
Delany admitted to the crowd that he wasn't familiar with the wildly popular television series, 'Game of Thrones'. In the show, the 35-year-old actress portrays Daenerys Targaryen, and Delany mentioned that he did not pay any heed to her either. "I was like, 'What's this show with the short, dumpy girl walking into the fire?'" Delany commented as he recalled the well-known moment from season one of 'GOT' in which Daenerys enters a blazing temple, as reported by Crikey.
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After Delany uttered those remarks, one participant claimed that there was a gasp from the audience, whereas another claimed that the people were visibly astonished. Since then, Foxtel, run by News Corp, has apologized profusely for Delany's remarks. Delany has served as the CEO and one of the organization's senior executives since January 2018. A representative said on Wednesday, August 17, "The aim was to convey that for him, Games of Thrones was something very different for television in 2011 and that Emilia Clarke went from relatively unknown to one of the most recognized and most-loved actors in television and film. On behalf of Mr Delany, the Foxtel Group apologizes if his remarks were misunderstood and caused any offense."
The Targaryen family and their rule in Westeros are the main subjects of the TV show 'House of the Dragon'. The 10-episode series takes place 200 years prior to the storyline of 'Game of Thrones' and will not feature Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys.
Ryan Corr, who starred in 'Packed To The Rafters', and Milly Alcock, an Australian actor, are both part of the new show's cast. Along with Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Oliva Cooke as Alicent Hightower, and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, 'House of the Dragon' also features Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon. 'House of the Dragon' will be accessible for streaming on Binge on August 22.