Let’s get real—the Amber Heard and Mera drama has been one of the most heavily discussed casting news in recent history. With all the legal thrillers, fan campaigns, and rumors surrounding her chemistry (or lack thereof) with Jason Momoa, the argument over who should play the Queen of Atlantis just won’t die. So, if the role ever came up for grabs, who might pull it off? Here’s our list of 10 actresses who could make Mera unforgettable.
10. Deborah Ann Woll
If you’ve watched Daredevil or True Blood, you already know Deborah Ann Woll can deliver depth, vulnerability, and quiet toughness to her characters. She also just so happens to resemble a lot the Mera of the comics. With her pre-existing affinity for fantasy storytelling, she could bring a combination of grit and grace to the character that would be new.
9. Eleanor Tomlinson
Eleanor may not be a Hollywood megastar quite yet, but her performance in Poldark and The Nevers demonstrates she’s got the acting abilities. She possesses this really ethereal beauty—like a mermaid who stumbled onto land—which would suit Mera just right. And, casting someone outside of the obvious choice could be the very thing that the franchise requires.
8. Sophie Turner
Sophie’s portrayal of Jean Grey demonstrated that she has the chops to play strong, complex characters, even if the X-Men franchise did not afford her the attention she warranted. For Mera, she could have that moment. Her skill in combining strength with emotional frailty would make her an interesting queen.
7. Blake Lively
Blake owns the royal walk without even realizing it. In The Shallows, she demonstrated she could handle action in high-pressure, water-based situations, although for the most part, she was attempting to avoid it. She has been longing to revisit the world of superheroes since Green Lantern, and Mera might be her ideal resurrection.
6. Christina Hendricks
Christina’s charisma. From Mad Men to Good Girls, she’s demonstrated she can be a strong, authoritative character and keep them likable. With her piercing look and effortless confidence, she could bring Mera a more mature, kingly presence.
5. Sarah Paulson
Sarah is a real chameleon. In American Horror Story and in countless other performances, she’s demonstrated that she can be anyone she’s required to be. She’s fearless, versatile, and completely committed to each role, which would make her an exciting addition for a role that requires emotional nuance as well as physical strength.
4. Karen Gillan
Karen has a talent for integrating action with humor and heart. Between Jumanji and Guardians of the Galaxy, she’s already demonstrated that she can bring it to big franchises. It’s not hard to picture her and Jason Momoa bouncing off each other’s energy for some truly fun scenes in Atlantis.
3. Alicia Vikander
Alicia’s evolution into Lara Croft showed she’s perfectly capable of performing stunts, brawls, and on-screen heroics. She possesses a down-to-earth, natural approach to acting that might allow Mera to be a fierce warrior as well as an actual human being audiences can relate to.
2. Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca is a talent for making all her roles feel intense and unforgettable. From Mission: Impossible to Doctor Sleep, she’s proven that she can be intimidating and warm when required. Her action abilities are of the highest quality, so she’d not struggle at all to hold her ground as Atlantis’ ruler.
1. Emilia Clarke
Number one on that list—Emilia Clarke. For years, fans have been hoping she’d step into Mera’s role, thanks, in part, to the undeniable on-screen chemistry she and Jason Momoa shared back in their Game of Thrones days. She’s witty, down-to-earth, and has already proved she can carry a franchise. If the opportunity ever presented itself, she’d be the fans’ ultimate dream casting choice.
Whomever winds up donning Mera’s crown, there’s no lack of talent available. These actresses each have something different to offer—and any one of them could cause waves in Atlantis.