Emilia Clarke has revealed an unexpected and painful on-set experience that occurred not during action sequences but while filming intimate scenes. The acclaimed actor disclosed that she broke a rib while shooting sex scenes for the Peacock drama series 'Ponies', a physically demanding ordeal that caught both her and her medical professional by surprise.
The Unexpected Injury During Undercover Work
Speaking about her role in a recent interview, Clarke explained that the injury happened while filming undercover seduction scenes. She portrays Bea, a Cold War era widow who targets high-level KGB agents for information in 1977 Moscow. The scenes required extensive hours, significant physical strain, and numerous repeated takes. By the conclusion of the filming day, Clarke realized something was seriously wrong with her body.
"Three Men, in a Number of Hours"
According to detailed reports, Clarke described just how intense the shoot became. "Three men, in a number of hours," she stated. "Just keep bringing it — I'm going to sit on this thing, you're going to bring them in, we're going to pretend to have sex. I broke a rib that day." The actor later had to explain the unusual injury to her doctor, recalling with some humor, "I had to tell my doctor it was from sex, times three!"
Clarke was quick to clarify that the injury wasn't severe or completely debilitating. "It didn't like, fully break," she added. "It just popped out a little bit." Despite this clarification, the experience highlighted the unexpected physical challenges actors can face during intimate scene work.
Physical Demands Beyond Dragons and Sword Fights
While Emilia Clarke is no stranger to physically demanding roles—from riding dragons in 'Game of Thrones' to engaging in sword fights—this particular experience stood out for different reasons. The intimate scenes in 'Ponies' were carefully choreographed, repetitive, and far from glamorous in execution. Clarke noted that the physical toll accumulated gradually over hours of continuous filming rather than resulting from one single dramatic moment.
About 'Ponies' and Its Production
'Ponies' is currently streaming on Peacock and is set in Moscow during 1977. The plot follows Bea and her colleague Twila, who work as secretaries at the U.S. embassy until their husbands die under suspicious circumstances. The CIA subsequently recruits them for undercover operations where they employ seduction, deception, and courage to uncover the truth.
The American buddy spy thriller was created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson and features Haley Lu Richardson alongside Clarke in leading roles. The series premiered on January 15, 2026, bringing a fresh take on Cold War espionage narratives to streaming audiences.
A Role That Pushed Boundaries
Clarke, a four-time Emmy nominee best known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in 'Game of Thrones', said this particular role pushed her in unexpected ways. While the espionage elements drive the plot forward, she emphasized that the physical demands of the intimate scenes represented some of the most challenging aspects she encountered during the entire production process.
The revelation sheds light on the often overlooked physical rigors involved in filming intimate content, where repetitive motions and sustained positions can lead to injuries typically associated with more traditional action sequences. Clarke's experience serves as a reminder that acting challenges come in many forms, sometimes emerging from scenes that audiences might perceive as less physically demanding.
