Sophie Turner, who rose to fame as Sansa Stark, has shared she will not be watching the new Game of Thrones prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The actress explained that anything related to the franchise now brings up strong feelings of anxiety for her, despite having positive memories of her time on the original show. Turner made these personal comments while promoting her new thriller series, Steal, which started streaming on January 21, 2026.
The Anxiety Triggered by Westeros
While walking the red carpet for her latest project, Turner was asked if she planned to watch HBO’s newest journey into the world of Westeros. Her response was candid and emotional.
“If I am totally honest, anything Game of Thrones, I don’t think I can… I can’t even hear the theme tune, it gives me crazy anxiety. I don’t know why,” Turner said. She was quick to clarify that this reaction is not tied to unhappy memories. “I had the best time on that show, but I can’t watch anything related to it.”
She extended her support to the new cast, adding, “I’m really excited for all the actors on it and I think it will be incredible because it is that universe. So, good luck to everyone involved. I won’t be watching it but I’ll be rooting for you.”
A New Chapter with Steal and Tomb Raider
Turner’s focus is firmly on her present and future work. Her new series, Steal, is a tense corporate heist thriller on Amazon Prime Video where she plays Zara, an office worker caught in a dangerous crisis. The actress described the challenging and fast-paced nature of the role.
“There’s so much betrayal, the stakes are so high, you can’t prep the feeling,” she said about filming. “You think you have a grasp on who is who… then the next episode, you’ve got it wrong, it’s a whole other game. It’s a constant puzzle-solver.”
Following this, Turner is deep into training for one of her most iconic roles yet. She is set to star as Lara Croft in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series for Prime Video. The preparation is intensive, a new experience for the actress.
“It’s quite nice to learn how to throw a punch and not just take it,” Turner noted, contrasting this physical training with the different demands of her Game of Thrones days.
Looking Back on a Formative Time
Turner was only 14 years old when she began filming Game of Thrones, growing up on screen over the course of eight seasons. She has spoken about the unique pressure of learning her craft in front of a global audience, which contributes to her complex feelings today.
“I learned how to act on that set, and now I’m thinking: that’s not how to do it… It’s very embarrassing,” she shared in a recent interview. “Imagine if you were learning to sing, and all your lessons had been filmed and broadcast. It’s just an uncomfortable experience.”
Despite this, she acknowledges the show’s incredible impact and the dedication of its fans. “The fans have a contagious energy,” Turner said. “Once you feel their enthusiasm, it makes you work 10 times harder than you would have done. You just don’t want to let them down.”
Fan Reactions to Her Honesty
Turner’s openness about her anxiety has sparked conversations among fans online. On social media, many viewers expressed understanding and shared their own experiences with similar feelings toward past chapters of their lives.
One fan commented on the relatable nature of her statement, comparing it to having a positive childhood but not necessarily wanting to relive it. Others noted that several actors from the original series have shared complex sentiments about the intense, decade-long experience that defined their careers.
Where Sansa Stark’s Story Ended
When asked about the potential of ever returning to play Sansa Stark in a future sequel or spinoff, Turner has indicated she is content with where her character’s journey concluded. In the finale of Game of Thrones, Sansa was crowned Queen in the North, a conclusion Turner feels was satisfying.
“I feel that I was very happy with the way Sansa ended her story in Game of Thrones,” she stated. She also observed that “no one else was really happy with their ending,” referencing the mixed reactions many of her co-stars and the audience had to the series finale.
Her stance on a return remains cautious. “Maybe it would be an utter joy, or maybe it would be trying to cling on to something that was magic back in the day that can’t be recreated. I would have to see a script,” Turner explained.
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The Path Forward for Turner and the Franchise
As Turner builds her career with diverse projects like the heist drama Steal and the upcoming Tomb Raider series, the Game of Thrones universe continues to expand without her as a viewer. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has launched to strong reviews.
Meanwhile, Turner is also set to appear in a new horror film titled The Dreadful, scheduled for release on February 20, 2026. She will star alongside her former Game of Thrones brother, Kit Harington.
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