Sophie Turner Shares Insight on Her Experience as a Young Mother
Sophie Turner is sharing her thoughts on parenting at a young age.
“It felt like the perfect time to focus on myself after being a character for so long,” the 29-year-old told The Guardian in a profile on Friday, January 16, discussing her acting break following Game of Thrones. “Being at home and nesting was incredible, but the downside, especially with COVID, was that it turned into a significant pause in my career.”
At 24, Turner and her then-husband, Joe Jonas, welcomed their daughter Willa in 2020. Two years later, they welcomed their second daughter, Delphine. (Jonas, 36, filed for divorce in fall 2023, finalizing the process the following year.)
“I’ve had to rebuild my career in many ways,” Turner shared with The Guardian regarding her postpartum journey. “It’s easy to overlook how vital momentum is in this industry, and I put a bit of a halt on it.”
The Steal actress has rediscovered her passion for acting, adding numerous roles to her impressive resume.
“It feels great,” she noted. “I’m not preoccupied with my biological clock and all those pressures.”
Turner gained prominence for her portrayal of Sansa Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones during her teenage years.
“I learned acting on that set, and now I find myself thinking, ‘That’s not how I do it anymore.’ It’s quite embarrassing,” she reflected. “Imagine if your singing lessons were all recorded and aired. It’s an uncomfortable experience. Imposter syndrome is real, but I think that’s common among actors.”
Game of Thrones ran from 2011 to 2019, after which Turner was often approached for other period or fantasy roles.
“I received many scripts for period dramas where princesses start off weak and eventually gain strength,” she mentioned. “I had to distinguish myself from all that. After Game of Thrones, I felt lost and needed to explore my identity.”
She continued, “An essential part of acting is living life to draw from those experiences. I remember having to portray being in love before experiencing it myself. I thought, ‘Okay, I guess I’ll just try this.’ Once I felt it genuinely, I finally understood that emotion. Part of the job is embracing the discomfort to bring that authenticity to the performance.”
Turner, who began dating Jonas in 2016 amid the peak popularity of Game of Thrones, now juggles her flourishing career with motherhood.
“Mom guilt is ever-present,” she reiterated in her recent profile with Net-a-Porter’s Porter. “I work all week and dedicate my weekends to my kids. But if I go out for lunch with a friend, I find myself rushing home because I feel guilty for being away from them.”
