Game of Thrones stars share emotional farewells ahead of final episode

The stars of Game of Thrones have shared emotional farewells to the hit HBO series ahead of its finale today.

Stars such as Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) and John Bradley West (Samwell Tarly) shared emotional farewell messages on social media as they reflected on their journey with the show over the past decade.

Emilia Clarke

Clarke, who has also portrayed Daenerys Targaryen throughout the entirety of the show, said she was "overwhelmed" by how much she wanted to say about the show's conclusion - and also shared a touching tribute to her father, who died from cancer in 2016.

"The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life. This woman has taken up the whole of my heart. I've sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions [and names] I was given, justice," she said.

"Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we've flown."

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Finding the words to write this post has left me overwhelmed with how much I want to say but how small words feel in comparison to what this show and Dany have meant to me. The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life. This woman has taken up the whole of my heart. I’ve sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice. Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we’ve flown. But to you, dear kind magical fans, I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we’ve made and what I’ve done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams. Without you there is no us. And now our watch has ended. @gameofthrones @hbo #love #motherofdragonsoverandout

A post shared by @ emilia_clarke on May 19, 2019 at 9:37am PDT

Sophie Turner

Turner, who has played Sansa since she was 13, thanked the character for teaching her "resilience, bravery and what true strength really is", sharing a group photo of the cast.

"I grew up with you. I fell in love with you at 13 and now 10 years on.. at 23 I leave you behind, but I will never leave behind what you've taught me," she wrote.

Turner thanked the creators of the show for giving her the "best life and drama lessons I could have ever asked for", and also thanked the fans of the show.

"Thank you for falling in love with these characters and supporting this show right through till the end. I'll miss this more than anything."

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Sansa, Thank you for teaching me resilience, bravery and what true strength really is. Thank you teaching me to be kind and patient and to lead with love. I grew up with you. I fell in love with you at 13 and now 10 years on.. at 23 I leave you behind, but I will never leave behind what you’ve taught me. To the show and the incredible people who make it, thank you for giving me the best life and drama lessons I could have ever asked for. Without you I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you for giving me this chance all those years ago. And finally to the fans. Thank you for falling in love with these characters and supporting this show right through till the end. I’ll miss this more than anything.

A post shared by Sophie Turner (@sophiet) on May 19, 2019 at 1:12pm PDT

John Bradley West

The actor who has played Samwell Tarly since season one shared an image of the rehearsal and prep schedule he received ahead of shooting the very first season, which reveals details of stunt training and costume fitting for himself and other stars such as Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark).

"This was given to me when I landed in Belfast for the first time, weeks before we even started shooting," he wrote. "Listed here is the rehearsal where I first met Kit, and the first time I wore the costume that's seen me through 8 seasons.

"Back then we couldn't have known the journey we'd go on together. I wouldn't swap that experience, or those people, for the world. Enjoy the episode and thanks for everything."

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So tonight we have our very last episode. It’s the final step of a long and wonderful journey. A journey that, for me, started at 10am on Monday 19th of July 2010. I know this because recently I found my rehearsal and prep schedule for season 1, week 1. This was given to me when I landed in Belfast for the first time, weeks before we even started shooting. Listed here is the rehearsal where I first met Kit, and the first time I wore the costume that’s seen me through 8 seasons. I’m glad I kept this. I met so many people that week who have come to mean so much to me. Back then we couldn’t have known the journey we’d go on together. I wouldn’t swap that experience, or those people, for the world. Enjoy the episode and thanks for everything. ❤️❤️❤️ @gameofthrones @hbo #GOT 👋

A post shared by John Bradley (@johnbradleywest) on May 19, 2019 at 10:03am PDT

Lena Headey

Lena Headey said farewell to her character, the villainous Cersei Lannister, after last week's episode, in which Cersei perished in the crumbling Red Keep during Daenerys' attack on King's Landing.

After eight seasons, Headey described her experience on the show as "bonkers" - while joking that Cersei would "never make it" as a member of the Night's Watch.

"Massively thankful for your encouraging and supportive love along the way. And now her watch is ended [I know she'd never make it, Nights watch wouldn't have her .. but still..]"

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There she goes. It’s been fun, and bonkers . I loved her. I am grateful for the opportunity. Massively thankful for your encouraging and supportive love along the way. And now her watch is ended (I know she’d never make it, Nights watch wouldn’t have her .. but still..) 💗💗💗💗💗💗

A post shared by Lena Headey (@iamlenaheadey) on May 13, 2019 at 1:49pm PDT

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

The star behind Jaime Lannister shared a series of behind-the-scenes selfies of him and Headey filming their last scenes as the incestuous twins, calling his co-star the "best, sweetest most wonderful sister".

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The best, sweetest most wonderful sister from another mother @iamlenaheadey . That was a fun decade 😘

A post shared by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (@nikolajwilliamcw) on May 13, 2019 at 4:34pm PDT

Jacob Anderson

Anderson, who plays Daenerys' loyal soldier Grey Worm in the show, shared images of his first and last day on the show.

"Grey Worm. You went from a robot to a real boy. I'm proud of you. I'll miss you bud," he wrote.

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1. First Day. 2. Last Day. GoT was like the craziest school trip ever. A 6 year Adventure Weekend. Grey Worm. You went from a robot to a real boy. I’m proud of you. I’ll miss you bud. Thank you to everybody that cared about him and rooted for him. He was really scared at first, but you made him feel loved. He appreciates it. I asked him. Huge shout out to the Targs team: Nats, Emilia, Conleth, Peter, Iain, Ian, Michiel, Reece, Ed, Kit, Liam. Thank you for making the days so fun. Here’s to every single department behind the scenes that worked to the bone to make this show. They worked tirelessly everyday to make this thing, and they never get shout outs and they know that but they do it anyway. Here’s to you, you ragtag bunch of talented clever rascals. I love ya’ll. Thank you. Game of Thrones ENDS tonight on @hbo AT 9pm and @skyatlanticuk at 2am. I hope you enjoy it.

A post shared by Raleigh Ritchie (@raleighritchie) on May 19, 2019 at 1:37pm PDT

Gwendoline Christie

Christie, who plays Brienne of Tarth in the show, shared a behind-the-scenes image of herself and Kit Harington (Jon Snow) looking overwhelmed.

"BEING TOLD THE ENDING TO @gameofthrones," she wrote.

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BEING TOLD THE ENDING TO @gameofthrones 🖤⚔️

A post shared by Gwendoline Christie (@gwendolineuniverse) on May 19, 2019 at 12:30pm PDT

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