Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke has praised the show for creating female characters which “accept our femininity”.

The HBO drama, based on George RR Martin’s epic fantasy novels, has been a huge hit around the globe but has been accused of misogyny because of its depiction of sexual violence.

Clarke, who plays royal exile and 'mother of dragons' Daenerys Targaryen, told Radio Times magazine that the female characters had become stronger.

They obviously include Huddersfield actress Lena Headey, who is back in her role as Cersei Lannister when the new series starts next Monday at 9pm.

Clarke said of the new, fifth series: “You start to see all of the women in the show accepting who they are and embodying that with such power that it’s palpable.

“I think that’s the beauty of the show: as women, we accept our femininity and take strength from it, as opposed to trying to hide it and behave in a masculine way.”

Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, promised big changes in the new episodes, which are broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the UK.

Click below for a sneak peek at season five

“When I say, ‘There’s a massive change in Game of Thrones’, I think it’s the first time I’ve actually meant it! People are going to think, ‘You go through a change every year!’

But this year it’s on a completely different level, and that’s why it’s so exciting. It sounds so broad, but actually ‘change’ is really, really specific,” she said.

Meanwhile former Shelley College student Headey has been talking about her role. It seems likely she will be involved in more conflict.

“She doesn’t really know much about finances and political allies,” Headey said.

“She thinks she’s found an influential power group to join and manipulate, but she invests in the wrong people. She just has too much hatred for certain people, so she doesn’t help her cause.

“She’s obviously disliked her brother Tyrion since the beginning, since she holds him responsible for the death of her mother. And now she’s holding him responsible for the death of their father, too.

“She also believes—she doesn’t really believe it, but is happy to believe it because she can hate him more—that he murdered Joffrey too.”

Click below to watch the season five trailer

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