Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner talks friendship with Maisie Williams, working with Kit Harington again

As a seasoned gamer who has traversed countless virtual worlds and real-life adventures, I must say, Sophie Turner’s journey from Sansa Stark to Joan Hannington is nothing short of captivating. Having grown up alongside her on-screen sister Maisie Williams in the intricate universe of Game of Thrones, it’s fascinating to see Turner’s transformation into Britain’s most notorious jewel thief.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel my heart racing with anticipation for ITV’s latest crime drama, “Joan.” The spotlight once again falls on the talented Sophie Turner, who has captured our hearts in her captivating roles like Sansa Stark from “Game of Thrones.” This time, she steps into the shoes of Joan Hannington, the infamous jewel thief whose compelling life story is portrayed in the six-part series. Based on her 2004 memoir, “I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief,” Turner’s performance promises to be as riveting as it is authentic. In an exclusive interview with The Times ahead of the show’s premiere, Turner shared insights into her personal connection to the role and how being a mother herself influenced her portrayal of Joan Hannington.

Ever since I hung up my Sansa Stark cloak and wrapped up my time on Game of Thrones, the most iconic role I’ve ever played, I’ve been exploring new territories in the world of cinema and television. I’ve graced the silver screen in movies like X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Do Revenge, and kept busy with series projects such as The Staircase and Quibi’s Survive (Rest in peace, Quibi). Admittedly, nothing that followed Game of Thrones felt as rewarding, and I took a brief hiatus. Now, I feel free from the weight of expectations that once followed me around, as people no longer wonder what my next move will be.

Apart from Joan, Turner also has several other projects underway. These include the suspenseful drama “Trust” and a heist series on Amazon Prime Video titled “Haven”. Although she’s no longer with “Thrones”, her ties to her old cast members remain strong. One upcoming project for Turner is a horror film named “The Dreadful”, where she managed to secure a role for her former co-star, Kit Harington (Jon Snow).

Turner reminisced, “They were searching for someone to fill that role, and I exclaimed, ‘You simply must include Kit!’ It’s a period drama set during the Wars of the Roses, so we might be seen roaming around in robes on cliff edges again – it seems fitting.

Sophie Turner jokes she’d be “in a crack den” without Maisie Williams

As a gamer, I’m not just discussing Harington during my interview; I also shared some heartfelt words about my bond with Maisie Williams, my on-screen sister in Game of Thrones. Over the years of filming, we grew incredibly close off-screen too. When it comes to the challenges of child fame, I’d definitely advise my future daughters to wait before diving into acting. Maisie was a huge help for me in navigating those waters.

Turner humorously implied that without her friend, he might have ended up in a troubled place. The actress’ friendship with her co-star was greatly appreciated by “Game of Thrones” fans, who enjoyed their interactions off-screen. Seeing them so close in real life added an extra layer of authenticity to their portrayals of Sansa and Arya Stark on the show.

During the interview, Turner spoke about a challenging experience related to her work on Joan: after they completed filming and she attended the wrap party. Pictures of the actress were shared online, and as she was going through her divorce with Joe Jonas, she was criticized for being an unfit mother while away from her children. Similar to her character, Turner has experienced firsthand the scrutiny faced by single mothers. “There’s a lot of guilt associated with motherhood,” she stated. “When you work, you face criticism. If you don’t work, you also encounter judgment.

Turner mentioned about Joan that he might not have been capable of delivering the same enthusiasm if he hadn’t been a mother.

Joan made its debut on ITV in the UK on September 29, however, fans of Turner in the US can catch the new series. Joan started airing on The CW on October 2 and fresh episodes are shown every Wednesday evening at 9:00 p.m. ET. I haven’t watched it yet, but the prospect of seeing Turner back on my screen, coupled with the encouraging reviews, is making me lean towards giving it a try.

2024-10-08 17:41

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