Sophie Turner Shares Her Thoughts on Not Watching the New Game of Thrones Spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Sophie Turner (left); Peter Claffey in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ (right).

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Sophie Turner Shares Mixed Feelings About ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off

Sophie Turner, known for her role as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, has revealed that she finds it challenging to engage with the franchise’s spinoffs. After nearly a decade portraying the character from 2011 to 2019, Turner expressed her lack of intention to watch the latest HBO series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

The new show follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, played by Peter Claffey, and his squire, Egg, portrayed by Sol Ansell. When recently asked during an event if she planned to watch the series based on a novella by George R. R. Martin, Turner candidly stated, “If I’m totally honest, anything Game of Thrones, I don’t think I can [watch]. I can’t even hear the theme tune. It gives me crazy anxiety.”

Turner also acknowledged her puzzlement regarding this reaction, stating, "I don’t know why — I had the best time on that show — but I can’t watch anything related to it."

Despite her personal struggles with the series, Turner expressed support for her former colleagues involved in the new project. “I’m really excited for the actors on it and I think it’ll probably be incredible, because it is that universe, so good luck to everyone involved,” she said. “I won’t be watching it, but I’ll be rooting for you.”

Having started her career on Game of Thrones at age 12 and concluding at 23, Turner described the experience as "the best acting class." She noted the immense learning opportunity afforded by working alongside seasoned actors. “I never had proper formal training, so I got to learn from the amazing actors around me,” she remarked. “It was great. We all were a family.”

Reflecting on her character, Turner remarked that she felt a deep connection to Sansa, stating, “My character, I got to live with, so it felt like we kind of merged into one person by the end of it.”

For Peter Claffey, stepping into the beloved universe felt daunting. He expressed his excitement and slight trepidation, saying, “I was a massive original Game of Thrones series fan. I was there for the whole thing, so I understand the reverence that people have for this show.” Claffey also mentioned the dedication his team has to honoring both book and television fans, stating, “We tried to do as good of a job, to both the book and the TV fans, for sure, in trying to stick to the characters as much as possible.”

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features its characters navigating "great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits," and is set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones. The six-episode series airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

From left: Maisie Williams, Isaac Hempstead Wright and Sophie Turner in season 8 of ‘Game of Thrones’.

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Sophie Turner attends the "Steal" BAFTA Screening at BAFTA on January 12, 2026 in London, England.

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Dexter Sol Ansell and Peter Claffey in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’.

Steffan Hill/HBO