Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones defended the abuse and violence against women depicted on the popular HBO show, reminding those offended that it is just “make believe.”

Season 5 was particularly brutal from women, especially when it came to Ramsay Bolton’s treatment of Sansa Stark and Cersei’s naked walk of shame in the finale and social media went crazy over the way women were perceived and treated.

Emilia Clarke defended the show and shared her views about the backlash with Entertainment Weekly Morning Live this week.

“Well, obviously, it’s never nice hearing criticism about something that you, and you know everybody else puts their heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into,” said Clarke.

Emilia Clarke defends #GameofThrones violence toward women: http://t.co/atHLkimAEV pic.twitter.com/TQWBUGFc84

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) June 26, 2015

“But in the same breath, it’s a shocking show so it’s going to invite commentary that everybody is free to have about the show. So I think it’s a couple of things, because I mean, as an actor, it’s bizarre, because you’ll relish those dark moments that allow you to get your teeth into a character and really kind of explore the darker depths to the reality of life and things that happen every day,” continued Emilia Clarke.

“But I think the thing that’s important to remember is that sadly, first and foremost, it’s a story that we’re telling that is make-believe—that is based in a fantastical world,” noted Emila Clarke. “So, whilst there is a political commentary that people can take from the show because that is everyone’s right to do so, I think not taking it too seriously is kind of the key here. So yeah, that’s kind of what I think, basically.”

The Mother of Dragons has some thoughts on #GameOfThrones' finale fatality (not so fatal?): http://t.co/QedvTRkJUX pic.twitter.com/O0n1dyc41n

— Variety (@Variety) June 27, 2015

Check out Emilia Clarke’s entire interview with EW: