Sophie Turner recently shared her thoughts on Game of Thrones‘ controversial rape scene in an interview. In the epic fantasy drama series, Turner essayed Sansa Stark, who in Season 2 narrowly escaped a rape attempt. Sansa was later sexually assaulted by her husband, Ramsay Bolton, immediately after being married to him in Season 5.
Sophie Turner comments on controversial Game of Thrones rape scene
Sophie Turner, in a recent interview, discussed her latest film, Trust, and her interest in exploring niche films. During the discussion with Flaunt Magazine, the English actress also shared her thoughts on Game of Thrones’ exploration of mature subject matter. She admitted that she didn’t understand some of them when she was young. Turner recalled the scene in the Season 2 episode “The Old Gods and the New,” where Sansa Stark is nearly raped. She said of the scene, “I didn’t fully understand it.” “I was trying to figure it out in my young little head,” Turner further stated.
The Dark Phoenix star later discussed her character’s rape at Ramsay Bolton’s hands in Season 5. She noted she “had more of a grasp of what was happening.” Notably, Turner was 19 years old at the time of the episode’s airing.
While Turner understood the criticism directed at the sexual assault scene, she nonetheless defended its place in the show. She stressed that it set off important discussions.
“I did feel — and still do — that Game of Thrones shone a light on things that many people were like ‘Oh god, you can’t show that kind of thing’ — and I understand it can be triggering — I totally understand that point of view,” she shared.
The Josie actress continued, “But I did feel we were actually doing a lot of justice to women and the fight women have had to fight for hundreds of thousands of years — the patriarchy, being treated as objects, and being constantly sexually assaulted — I don’t think there’s one woman I know who hasn’t had a form of that.”
Turner acknowledged trigger warnings would’ve been added if Game of Thrones were released in the present entertainment climate.
“But I’m really proud to have been a part of Game of Thrones where they didn’t shy away from showing atrocities that happened to women back then,” she added. “I feel proud to have been part of the conversation.”
