In the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen shocked many viewers by ignoring the surrender bells of King’s Landing and raining fire, death and destruction down on enemy soldiers and innocent men, women and children alike. It was a surprise heel turn for a beloved character who spent seven seasons freeing slaves and trying to eradicate evil in the world wherever she encountered it.

Speaking to the Evening Standard at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Stop MS fundraising appeal in London this week, Clarke revealed how hard it was to keep Dany’s turn a secret for two years while the show’s eighth and final season was being filmed. “Every time someone would come up to me and say, ‘I love her!’ inside, I was thinking, ‘Well you’re not going to love her for long!’”

It was so hard to keep it a secret. I would just nod and smile, and that’s why I had this sort of furrowed-eyebrow expression a lot of the time. My eyebrows would sort of curl up.

Video proof:

The reaction to Dany’s turn has been passionate, with many fans taking issue. Clarke is staying above the drama. “The response in general to this series has been pretty overwhelming. It’s been an incredible privilege to be part of.”

RELATED PRODUCT Cleveland Indians Slider Game Of Thrones Mascot On Fire Dragon Bobblehead Buy Now! Buy Now!

As for this Sunday’s series finale, Clarke plans on watching with as many friends as possible. “I’ve hired out a room to host a screening and there’s more than 40 people coming,” she said. “We’ve had to get a load of bean bags in for the front row as so many people want to come.”

Side note: Kit Harington (Jon Snow) was set to co-host the fundraising event but had to back out at the last minute because he was “summoned to a meeting with bosses at HBO.” Could be something to do with the upcoming Blu-ray release of the show? You’d figure it’d have to be something pressing if he cancelled his fundraising hosting duties to attend. Hmm…

To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels