Sophie Turner’s Secret Coping Mechanism for Game of Thrones’ Darkest Scenes—Revealed!

Sophie Turner has opened up about the emotional challenges she faced while filming some of Game of Thrones’ most harrowing scenes. The actress, who portrayed Sansa Stark from the show’s first season, revealed how she developed a unique coping mechanism to protect herself from the trauma of playing in such a dark, violent world.

In a recent interview with actress Jessica Chastain for The Cut magazine, Turner reflected on the emotional toll of filming Game of Thrones, especially during the series’ more disturbing and controversial moments. Having joined the show at just 15 years old, Turner spent her teenage years portraying Sansa Stark, a character who would experience some of the show’s most traumatic events.

One of the most notorious and difficult scenes for Turner to film was in the sixth season, when her character marries the sadistic Ramsay Bolton (played by Iwan Rheon). In a horrifying wedding night scene, Ramsay brutally rapes Sansa, forcing Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) to watch. The scene was deeply unsettling not only for its graphic nature but also for the added emotional complexity—Theon, who was raised alongside Sansa, was like a brother to her, making the betrayal even more painful.

Turner, who was 19 at the time the episode aired, confessed that in order to avoid being “traumatised” by such scenes, she developed a coping strategy. “I just developed a coping mechanism of having the most fun in between takes,” she explained. “It helped to have people around who were also willing to step out of it.” She revealed that she would often break up the intensity of filming with light-hearted moments—like singing and dancing with her castmates between scenes, a practice that she said helped her keep a balance and avoid being overwhelmed by the heavy subject matter.

When asked whether the darker themes of Game of Thrones had left a lasting emotional impact, Turner responded with a half-joking admission: “I’m sure I’ll exhibit some symptoms of trauma down the road. At that age, I don’t think I could comprehend a lot of the scene matter.” Turner’s reflection on her time working on the series highlights both the incredible emotional demands placed on her as a young actress and the resilience she developed over the course of the show.

Her openness in discussing the challenges of playing such a difficult role has prompted many fans to appreciate the immense strength it takes to portray such complex and often disturbing scenes while also finding ways to protect her mental health. As Game of Thrones continues to be remembered for its iconic performances and brutal storytelling, Turner’s role as Sansa Stark remains one of the most powerful portrayals of survival and strength on television.