The Mother of Dragons and the heir to the Iron Throne are teaming up for one of television’s most closely watched envelopes. Emilia Clarke and Emma D’Arcy will present the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie during Monday night’s ceremony.
Film Updates reported on X that Clarke and D’Arcy will present the award, sharing the news three minutes before publication. The pairing connects two performers best known for commanding roles in HBO fantasy dramas with one of the ceremony’s major acting categories.
The presentation comes during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, which air Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Mariska Hargitay hosts the NBC telecast, which also streams on Peacock, according to the Television Academy’s official announcement.
This year’s Emmys are being staged across three nights. The Creative Arts ceremonies took place Sept. 5 and 6, while the televised ceremony handles the headline categories. The Academy moved supporting actor and actress in a limited series or movie, along with directing and writing awards in the format, to the earlier ceremonies.
That leaves the lead actress prize in the main broadcast.
Clarke brings a direct connection to Emmy history. She received a 2016 nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for playing Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, the role that made her one of the defining faces of HBO’s awards-era fantasy franchise. The Television Academy’s record identifies her among that year’s nominees alongside Lena Headey, Maggie Smith and Maisie Williams.
D’Arcy arrives from the same creative universe, playing Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel set roughly two centuries before the original series. The Academy lists the show with 14 Emmy nominations and two wins, including awards for its visual effects and period or fantasy makeup.
The ceremony’s presenter lineup already includes Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Amy Poehler, Jon Hamm, Sally Field, Keke Palmer, Niecy Nash-Betts and the returning Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz. The Academy said additional presenters would be announced, making Clarke and D’Arcy a late addition to a crowded Monday-night roster.
The envelope arrives Monday, Sept. 14.
