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Emilia Clarke slams claims that "Game of Thrones" is sexist

Some critics think "Game of Thrones" is sexist. Series star Emilia Clarke thinks those critics don't know what they're talking about.

As one of the lead actresses on the hit HBO series, which returns April 24 for its much-hyped sixth season -- Clarke has heard plenty of the criticisms leveled against "Game of Thrones" for its depictions and treatment of female characters in the fantasy world of Westeros.

"There's so much controversy," she explained to Entertainment Weekly. "Yet that's what's beautiful about 'Game of Thrones' -- it's depiction of women in so many different stages of development."

"There are women depicted as sexual tools, women who have zero rights, women who are queens but only to a man, and then there are women who are literally unstoppable and as powerful as you can possibly imagine," Clarke said. "So it pains me to hear people taking 'Thrones' out of context with anti-feminist spin -- because you can't do that about this show. It shows the range that happens to women, and ultimately shows women are not only equal, but have a lot of strength."

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