Sophie Turner is setting the record straight after some confusion arose over a recent interview. The 28-year-old actress, best known for her roles in Game of Thrones and the upcoming series Joan, addressed claims that she referred to herself as a “single mother” in an interview with The Sunday Times.
Turner, who shares two daughters, Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2, with her ex-husband Joe Jonas, took to Instagram on Monday (September 30) to clarify the situation. “I have been widely misquoted today in publications where I have ‘stated’ that ‘it’s such a struggle being a single mother,’” she explained.
She was quick to set the record straight, emphasizing that her comments were taken out of context. “I’d like to clarify that I was talking about the character of Joan that I play and was not referring to myself,” she said, referencing her role in the upcoming series Joan. Turner added that the original interview clearly pointed out she was discussing her character, not her personal life.
“The context of the original quote is obvious from the original interview in The Sunday Times Culture section,” she noted, pointing out that the confusion came from selective quoting.
Turner’s role as Joan in the upcoming series has had a significant impact on her. In the interview, she explained how becoming a mother herself helped her relate to the character. “If I hadn’t been a mother, I don’t know if I would have been able to bring the same energy that I did into it,” Turner shared. Her experience as a mother allowed her to tap into the raw emotions needed to portray Joan, a character who faces immense struggles while raising her child alone.
Turner elaborated on the challenges Joan faces in the series, saying, “It’s such a struggle being a single mother. Joan doesn’t go about it in the best way … but it is amazing to see her really fighting for her daughter.” It was this fight and resilience that drew Turner to the role, helping her understand the depth of her character’s emotions.
Reflecting on her own life, Sophie emphasized how grateful she is for the support system around her. “I am very fortunate personally to have a lot of help around me, which is not the case for a lot of people,” she shared on her Instagram Story, before adding a shout-out to those in similar circumstances. “I applaud all single mothers doing it alone.”
While her character Joan struggles as a single mother, Turner wanted to make it clear that her real-life situation is different. She has acknowledged how lucky she is to have help with her daughters and appreciates the strength it takes for single mothers to balance everything on their own.
In the original interview, Turner also reflected on how portraying Joan helped her in real life. “Joan changed me quite a lot,” she admitted. “From utter desperation comes so much will and ambition.” Playing a character with so much determination resonated with Turner, especially as she navigated challenges in her own life. “The series came around at a time in my life where I had to be ambitious and I had to have such strong will and fight against the forces,” she explained, adding that Joan gave her a sense of empowerment. “She gave me a lot of strength.”
As Turner continues to balance her acting career with motherhood, she’s made it clear that any misinterpretation of her words won’t stand in her way. Through her clarification, she not only addressed the misunderstanding but also showed her admiration for the strength of single mothers everywhere.
