Emilia Clarke to Star in Amazon Crime Drama Series ‘Criminal’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Getty Images

Emilia Clarke has been cast in Amazon Prime Video‘s upcoming series adaptation of the “Criminal” graphic novels in a lead role, Variety has learned exclusively.

Clarke will star alongside previously announced cast members Charlie Hunnam, Richard Jenkins, John Hawkes, Adria Arjona, Logan Browning, Kadeem Hardison, Pat Healy, Taylor Sele, Gus Halper, Aliyah Camacho, Michael Mando, Marvin Jones III, Michael Xavier, Dominic Burgess.

The graphic novels were created by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The official description states the series is “an interlocking universe of crime stories.”

Clarke will appear in the role of Mallory, described as “a slick and daring armed robber, as quick with a gun as she is with her wits. Part of a heist crew with Ricky Lawless (Halper), who she’s in a passionate Bonnie-and-Clyde-like affair with. Mallory is a woman on the edge, living on the wrong side of the law and hiding secrets that will bring her and her entire crew into the danger zone.”

Clarke is of course best known for playing Daenerys Targaryen in the megahit HBO series “Game of Thrones” throughout its eight season run, receiving four Emmy Award nominations in the process. Her other recent TV credits include the Marvel-Disney+ series “Secret Invasion.” Clarke’s film credits include “Me Before You,” “Last Christmas,” “The Pod Generation,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” and “Terminator Genisys.” She made her West End debut in 2022 in Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”

She is repped by CAA, Range Media Partners, Hamilton Hodell, Narrative, Hansen, Jacobson

Brubaker will serve as co-showrunner and executive producer on “Criminal” along with Jordan Harper. Phillips also executive produces, as does Sarah Carbiener and Phillipp Barnett. Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden will direct the first four episodes. Legendary Television will also serve as an executive producer. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.