TV network CEO makes rude comment about Emilia Clarke at House of the Dragon premiere

People in the crowd were 'shocked' after a TV network CEO made offensive remarks about Emilia Clarke at the House of the Dragon premiere.

CEO of Foxtel, Patrick Delany, started by explaining to the audience how he felt when watching Game of Thrones for the first time.

However, his explanation was met with a 'gasp' after he referred to Clarke as being 'short' and 'dumpy'.

Yesterday (17 August) Delany reportedly said: "I was like, ‘What’s this show with the short, dumpy girl walking into the fire?'."

One audience member said: "It felt like he was expecting us to laugh along but people in the room were obviously shocked by it."

Someone else added: "There was a bit of a gasp."

Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo

Since the incident occurred, a Foxtel Group spokesperson told Crikey: "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 recognised and most-loved actors in television and film.

"On behalf of Mr Delany, the Foxtel Group apologises if his remarks were misunderstood and caused any offence."

UNILAD has contacted Emilia Clarke for comment.

Sydney Alford / Alamy Stock Photo

The ten-part Game of Thrones spin-off is set 200 years prior so Clarke won't be reprising her role as Daenerys.

"Based on George R.R. Martin’s 'Fire & Blood', the series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen," HBO said.

Reacting to the latest trailer, one person commented: "From the looks they've given personality to the dragons. Hope to see more of this and their bond to riders so that they are not just slaves but intelligent companions. I love dragons."

Another added: "I like how they made Caraxes actually look violent and bloodthirsty. It does seem like they are going to give the dragons different personalities too!"

HBO

The starring cast will include Paddy Considine (HBO’s The Third Day and The Outsider), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint (It’s a Sin, Doctor Who), Eve Best, Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel and Rhys Ifans. Additional cast members include Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, and Savannah Steyn.

House of the Dragon will be available to watch on HBO and HBO Max on August 21.

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