Game of Thrones star Emelia Clarke stuns in leather cut-out look for new cover

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is as famous off screen for her classic red carpet style as she is for her role on the HBO show, but showed off her adventurous side for a Marie Claire cover shoot.

The 28-year-old is the cover star of the glossy magazine's July issue, donning her natural brunette hair colour and says the scrutiny she experienced when the show first aired was tough to deal with.

"I remember when everything first kicked off, I Googled myself. You just do, it's instinct. But never again," she told the magazine.

"It just takes that one person who says: 'She's a fat bitch,' and you're like: 'I'm a fat bitch'!"

The down-to-earth actress also explained why she turned down the role of Anastasia Steele.

"I really wanted to work with Sam Taylor-Johnson because she's f***ing amazing," she explained. "But there is a huge amount of nudity in the film," she said.

"I'll never say 'I'm never doing nudity' because I've already done it, but I thought I might get stuck in a pigeonhole that I would have struggled to get out of."