Sophie Turner has opened up about the emotional toll that followed the end of Game of Thrones, revealing that stepping away from the iconic series triggered a deep identity crisis after she spent most of her formative years playing Sansa Stark. For Turner, the show’s conclusion in 2019 wasn’t just the end of a job—it felt like losing a part of herself.
The actress joined the HBO fantasy juggernaut at just 13 years old, growing up almost entirely on screen. In a recent interview, Turner admitted that when filming wrapped for good, she felt unmoored and unsure of who she was without the role that had defined her adolescence. The transition, she said, required her to take a step back from acting altogether.
Turner described the period after the finale as something close to mourning. After nearly a decade of living in the world of Westeros, she was suddenly forced to reassess her ambitions, identity, and sense of self as an adult. She explained that Game of Thrones had shaped her daily life, her relationships, and even how she saw herself, making the adjustment especially painful.
Growing up in the public eye only complicated things further. Turner has previously spoken candidly about mental health struggles during her teenage years, citing intense scrutiny and body image pressures that came with global fame. She acknowledged that she missed out on experiences many people take for granted, such as university life and extended time with friends, which made it harder to understand who she was beyond her career.
After the series ended, Turner intentionally avoided period dramas. She said the emotional weight and physical demands of medieval-style productions felt overwhelming at the time, too closely tied to a chapter she wasn’t ready to revisit. That avoidance lasted several years as she focused on rebuilding confidence and redefining herself on her own terms.
Her stance eventually shifted when she agreed to star in the gothic horror film The Dreadful, which reunited her with former Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington. Turner said working with someone familiar helped ground her, even as the role pushed her back into uncomfortable territory. The experience reminded her of her early days on set and reignited her love for acting.
Sansa Stark remains one of the most celebrated character arcs in Game of Thrones, evolving from a sheltered noblewoman into a formidable political leader who ruled the North. That ending has continued to spark speculation among fans about a possible continuation of her story, especially since Sansa’s future was left open-ended.
Turner hasn’t completely shut the door on a return. When asked recently about reprising the role, she joked that any comeback would require the right script—and the right paycheck. Still, she made it clear that she’s content with how Sansa’s story ended and isn’t interested in revisiting the character purely for nostalgia.
By speaking openly about her post-Thrones identity crisis, Turner has given fans new insight into why she approaches the idea of returning with caution. Rather than chasing familiarity, she appears focused on roles that reflect who she’s become since leaving Westeros behind, keeping the door open only if a return truly feels earned.
