Game Of Thrones' Emilia Clarke Named Sexiest Woman Alive By Esquire

Khal Drogo's Khaleesi and would-be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms has claimed another title, this one a bit more earthly. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has been name 2015's "Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire.

In her interview with Esquire, Clarke recounts how she had nearly given up on her acting career before landing her Game of Thrones role.

"And then my agent calls me up and says, 'Did you ever go up for Game of Thrones?' Clarke says. At that time, HBO had shot a pilot that they nobody was happy with and was looking to recast. "My agent told the casting director, 'I know that the breakdown for this character is tall and willowy and blonde. I know she's short and round and brown, but I'd like you to see her.'

"I had two scenes which told me nothing and not very much time in which to read all those [George R. R. Martin] books," she continues. "So I did what every good actor does and Wikipedia'd the living crap out of it."

"Do you have a sense now of what they wanted?"

"Yeah … someone who could grow before your eyes in one season, who could gather strength and show vulnerability, they wanted the arc…"

You can read the full interview, and see the photoshoot, over at Esquire. Check out Clarke's "Sexiest Woman Alive" cover below.

Game of Thrones returns to HBO in 2016.