How Sophie Turner Got “Sex Education” Lessons From Game of Thrones

Sophie Turner learned more than just her acting techniques from Game of Thrones.

The actress, known for playing Sansa Stark in the HBO series, confessed that much of what she knows, including understanding about nature and human relationships, was learned during her time on set when she joined the cast at age 14.

Oh, I can’t help but confess, during that hilarious chat on the July 8th episode of the Dish podcast with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, I playfully admitted that my sex education came primarily from a certain show – let’s just say it was more than enough!

Emphasizing that certain explicit scenes and provocative plotlines in the series were quite extraordinary, the 29-year-old underlined the fact that the show significantly contributed to her personal growth as an actor.

She shared that it was an exceptional acting class for her, one she’d never forget. Having no prior formal training, she found herself learning invaluably from the talented performers surrounding her. It was as if she had emerged victorious from a competition, and the experience was delightful. She added that they all felt like a close-knit family.

After some time had passed, it began to seem as if she and Sansa were gradually merging or becoming more similar.

She reminisced, “The character I shared my life with became almost indistinguishable from myself towards the end. It was an incredible experience.

The fantasy drama functioned not only as a top-notch acting lesson but also guided the “Dark Phoenix” actress (who has children Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2 with ex Joe Jonas) in navigating the industry and achieving personal success.

She disclosed that the show “Game of Thrones” significantly influenced her approach to business decisions and professional conduct, as well as her overall behavior. Essentially, everything she picked up from the series, along with some lessons from her parents, played a role in shaping her life.

Regarding whether Sophie might play her character again if the show returns in the future, she has left the door open. Although Sansa’s story concluded as far back as 2019 (with spin-off series like “House of the Dragon” still ongoing), she hasn’t ruled out the possibility entirely.

According to the actress who played Joan, she expressed to Variety last September that for her to return, it must involve the same cast and crew as before. If not, she wouldn’t be interested, implying that if they were to produce a Season 9, it seems unlikely.

However, Sophie cherishes playing Sansa so much that she’d never give it up for anything else. Frequently, she ponders over what her character might experience in the years following the show’s final episode.

She frequently ponders about where she might be now, or what she could possibly be engaged in, five years from then.

To discover some of the most epic Game of Thrones secrets, keep reading…

As a lifestyle expert, I might rephrase it like this: Back in the early 2000s, the captivating Lord of the Rings film trilogy, released from 2001 to 2003, played a significant role in sparking and nurturing the growing interest among viewers for immersive, high-quality fantasy storytelling on screen. This is according to George R.R. Martin, the renowned author whose epic A Song of Ice and Fire novel series debuted in 1996 with Game of Thrones as its first installment.

In the very same moment, I found myself reluctant to accept any proposals about compressing my five extensive narratives, with Game of Thrones standing alone at 694 pages, into a single watchable film or multiple films. However, it seemed destiny had other plans, as my agent dispatched the books towards David Benioff in the mid-’00s. Once Ned Stark lost his head, I began to read, and I made sure my writing partner Dan Weiss joined me, just to ensure I wasn’t getting too carried away by the captivating storyline.

The pals decided quickly that only a TV series could do A Song of Ice and Fire justice.

In James Hibberd’s 2020 oral history “Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon”, it was revealed that Martin inquired about Benioff and Weiss’ true investment in the story, specifically asking them who they believed Jon Snow’s mother was, hinting at clues scattered across the books up to that point.

Benioff reminisced that they were surprisingly well-prepared for that specific question. With this readiness established, they were now equipped and eager to commence their endeavor of engaging in business dealings with the network.

Benioff and Weiss believed from the start that HBO, known for its generous budgeting, would provide an ideal platform for their vision.

Carolyn Strauss, then executive producer and HBO’s head of programming, recalled that there were several compelling arguments against the idea when she first heard it, stating, “A fantasy series can easily veer off course in numerous ways.

However, it was indeed a positive response – yet this yes merely marked the start of the initial phase of GOT‘s transition to television screens. The process of acquiring rights for the books took several months, and with Strauss departing from HBO in 2008, Benioff and Weiss had to persuade the new programming president, Michael Lombardo, once more.

After getting a go-ahead, the process of transforming GOT into a TV series was just beginning, having taken months to secure book rights and then needing to convince the new HBO programming president, Michael Lombardo, again after Strauss left in 2008.)

They indeed distorted the facts by emphasizing again that the series was primarily character-driven, despite recognizing its action sequences would grow increasingly elaborate over time.

Lombardo shared with Hibberd that he hadn’t always been convinced about Benioff and Weiss labeling the plot as “limited”. He made it clear that they were well aware it was a risky move.

The pilot got the greenlight in November 2008.

The first episode of Game of Thrones, which aired on April 17, 2011, was visually captivating and full of mystery—it wasn’t the initial $10 million pilot that aimed to draw viewers into the realm of Westeros.

The filmmaker Tom McCarthy, who had previously directed Dinklage in “The Station Agent” and later won an Oscar for Best Picture with “Spotlight,” played a significant role in the Game of Thrones casting process and was in charge of directing the very first episode.

It’s ironic that it seemed a bit confined, but Lombardo expressed his concerns about not having enough broad shots to Hibberd. He recalled the comment, which went something like, “We might as well have filmed this in Burbank,” suggesting a need for more expansive shots.

As a lifestyle expert, I can attest that one particularly memorable moment for me came back in 2016, when I was screening a pilot episode among close friends. In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit this experience ranked among the most agonizing of my life. This anecdote was shared on Craig Mazin and John August’s insightful podcast, Scriptnotes.

Benioff acknowledged that it appeared nobody realized that the affectionate siblings Jaime and Cersei Lannister were actually brother and sister; this crucial detail, which should have been evident, was unfortunately overlooked by us.

They gave credit to the former HBO co-president, Richard Plepler, for his ability to envision possibilities beyond current realities. He commissioned ten episodes, including a fresh pilot, and production on these began in July 2010.

Following the screening of the HBO-released version, directed by Tim Van Patten and featuring McCarthy as a consulting producer, Mazin recollected telling Weiss and Benioff at the series premiere: “That was the most spectacular Hollywood rescue ever!

The author of the Chernobyl series added, “It wasn’t merely that they transformed something terrible into something wonderful. They took a complete disaster and turned it into something extraordinary. Such transformations rarely occur!

McCarthy didn’t elaborate much, but in 2016, he told ABC News that when they returned to re-film and revise the pilot, he was occupied with his 2011 movie “Win Win” and couldn’t participate. He added, “[Game of Thrones] became incredibly successful even without me.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share that I was among the countless hopefuls vying for the part of Jon Snow, with my fellow future costars Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Joe Dempsie (Gendry), and Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton) being among the contenders. However, it was Kit Harington who ultimately secured the role that would make us all household names in the world of Westeros.

Sam Claflin expressed in 2016 to Cinema Blend that he, much like every other British actor, tried out for the role. However, he later moved on to different projects and admitted to following the palace drama as a fan instead of being directly involved. He enjoys this perspective because, as someone not part of it, he finds it less jarring when compared to being actively engaged in it.

Apart from his role as Nicholas Hoult, he once auditioned for Jon Snow. In 2019, he shared with Page Six that during the audition, he had a long ponytail and a rather uneven fake tan due to filming ‘Clash of the Titans’. He recalled thinking, “This likely isn’t what they’re aiming for,” and it certainly wasn’t.

In 2016, Rheon, who joined Game of Thrones in season three, expressed with a chuckle that things could have turned out differently for Jon Snow, implying his own death. He believes the showmakers made the correct decision; he thinks Jon Snow would have been quite distinct if he had played the role. He doesn’t see any benefit in pondering over such ‘what-ifs’.

Besides, as Sansa eventually tells Ramsay, “You’re going to die tomorrow, Lord Bolton. Sleep well.”

At first, Peter Dinklage showed no inclination towards portraying a dwarf in a fantasy story, as he had always steered clear of anything that carried even a hint of stereotype during his professional journey. However, due to his admiration for Benioff as an author and having a personal connection with his wife, Amanda Peet, Dinklage decided to give the script for the Game of Thrones pilot a read.

Let’s just say, it wasn’t what he expected.

In this version, he agreed to portray Tyrion Lannister as the central character in the series, despite initially objecting to wearing a beard, contrary to the book’s depiction of Tyrion who is fond of alcohol and women but turns out to be more complex than expected. However, he eventually conceded to grow the facial hair.

Dinklage garnered four Emmy Awards for his outstanding performance as a supporting actor in a dramatic series, and he was undeniably beloved by many.

In a similar vein, Dinklage urged his friend Lena Headey to try out for the part of his character’s sister, Cersei Lannister. (There are rumors that this role was initially proposed to Gillian Anderson, who declined…something. “My 18-year-old can hardly believe I would turn down Game Of Thrones or Downton—shows she enjoys watching,” the X-Files star once stated.)

Regarding Jaime Lannister, Benioff and Weiss found an instant liking towards Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau for the role, despite some book fans expressing reservations about his appearance. (On a personal note, while interviewing fans about “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” in 2004, many voiced their disappointment that Gary Oldman was chosen to play Sirius Black over their preferred pick – coincidentally, Sean Bean. The lesson learned: It’s challenging to satisfy dedicated fantasy readers.)

Yet, just because they might not be immediately familiar with the topic, it doesn’t imply that they lack understanding. In fact, asking questions can often lead to enlightenment.

Readers brought the then relatively unknown character Jason Momoa to life as Khal Drogo in the book, and that is exactly who he became.

Tamzin Merchant initially played the role of Daenerys, but she had been involved since the initial pilot. However, it seems that she was not enthusiastic about it even during filming, and this lack of passion showed up on screen.

Lombardo conveyed to Hibberd that the scenes involving Jason weren’t effective. Bryan Cogman, one of the co-executive producers, felt Merchant did a commendable job, but looking back, it’s clear that Emilia Clarke was perfect for that role.

It at least sounds as though there were no hard feelings on Merchant’s end.

2021 saw “The Tudors” actor expressing a valuable life lesson to Entertainment Weekly, stating, “That time I had to shoot the pilot was truly enlightening. It served as a reminder of the importance of trusting my gut feelings and acting upon them. Initially, I hesitated and even attempted to withdraw from that predicament during contract negotiations. However, some persuasive individuals managed to convince me otherwise. The result? I found myself feeling vulnerable and scared in Morocco while riding a horse that seemed overly enthusiastic about being there compared to my own feelings.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, let me express my admiration for the extraordinary performance of Emilia Clarke in her iconic role. Her passion for narrating that tale was palpable, and she truly excelled. However, personally, I found that the story wasn’t resonating deeply within my own heart, so I chose not to be a part of its telling.

In at least two roles, the ideal candidates were chosen because Benioff and Weiss are great guys. They had already cast their Prince Joffrey when they traveled to Dublin to audition other young actors for various parts. Interestingly, Jack Gleeson was present to read for the wicked young royal. According to Hibberd, Benioff stated that they didn’t want to disappoint him.

On the day of his audition for Samwell Tarly, John Bradley’s train from Manchester to London was called off. As a result, he opted for another route and was running late. Remarkably, the creators, who had already found their Sam, showed understanding and did not cancel on him despite his long journey.

According to Weiss’s memory, the man fled from the train station. Upon discovering that the elevator wasn’t working, he faced a challenging situation. Climbing three floors of stairs, it became clear that the initial person was in trouble. In just 30 seconds, we understood that Bradley had inadvertently caused another man to lose his job, as he was an absolute perfectionist.

At the age of 12, Maisie Williams filmed a spontaneous audition video during her school lunch break and submitted it to the Game of Thrones casting team. This was her second attempt at trying out for any role. Remarkably, she managed to secure the highly significant part of Arya Stark after competing against numerous other girls for the role.

At thirteen years old, Sophie Turner decided to audition for amusement, with her drama teacher serving as a motivator. She didn’t inform her parents about it until she was one of the seven finalists vying for the role of Sansa Stark. Eventually, the competition came down to her and Izzy Meikle-Small, who in 2013 told The Telegraph, “I felt a bit disappointed because the show is very popular, but I’m not too upset because they all expose quite a bit, right? I don’t think my parents would be pleased with that.

Turner and Williams first met during an audition and soon formed a close, lasting friendship. During the filming of season seven, these actresses got matching tattoos with the date “07/08/09” to celebrate the day they were chosen for the roles. (And that’s August 7, 2009, how they write dates over there.)

As a lifestyle expert, I might put it this way: At just ten years old, I stumbled upon the opportunity of a lifetime – the role of Bran Stark in Game of Thrones. I was blissfully unaware as I embarked on a summer camp adventure, only to return home and discover that fate had chosen me for this incredible part. What a surprising turn of events!

Jennifer Ehle, who portrayed Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, initially played the matriarch character, Catelyn Stark, during the original pilot. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Ehle shared that at the time, she had just given birth to her first child and felt it was too soon for her, emotionally and in terms of bonding, but she was committed to the role and passionate about the books. However, after one appearance, Ehle stepped aside, paving the way for Michelle Fairley, who is well-known as the Catelyn Stark you are familiar with.

Rather than letting the opportunity slip away like the Harry Potter characters did, Benioff and Weiss had Sean Bean, a star from Lord of the Rings, in mind for the role of Ned Stark right from the start.

In 2019, the English actor expressed to EW that they had an enjoyable conversation and felt honored to be given the opportunity to play the role. They mentioned that at the time, only themselves and Peter were cast, and they were excited about the concept. At that point, they weren’t aware of how popular and significant this series would eventually become. Instead, they were focusing on understanding their character, as everyone else was doing as well.

So to speak.

Ned Stark may have lost his head, but Bean had to go back to work.

In a surprising turn of events, Bean, who had been the main focus of the show up until then, shared with Entertainment Weekly that the death scene was remarkable. Even though he passed away, he still had to film scenes from earlier in the episode, which meant his character’s story wasn’t over yet. Filming took place in Malta during a hot and vibrant period, and there was a dark humor among everyone involved as they navigated such a significant event.

The situation is grim, but it seems you find it amusing. There were mishaps, especially when the head came off. Things didn’t always go as planned. Overall, it had a comedic feel to it, helping lighten the mood a bit.

Discussing unexpected turns that dedicated viewers anticipated but were still shocked by, the infamous Red Wedding from season three’s episode “The Rains of Castamere” had been inevitable all along.

Martin shared with Hibberd for EW in 2019 that Robb Stark was essentially the second major character to die in his book (with several other minor deaths), following Ned. When writing A Storm of Swords, however, he chose to save that particular scene for a later point, not the very end of the book, but rather postponing it. He described it as being “like killing two of your children.

Richard Madden, known for finishing a book per season, admitted that he inadvertently revealed his character’s destiny by searching it online. Prior to that, numerous individuals hinted at impending doom for Robb through various references.

Oona Chaplin, aware that Talisa Stark’s character was being written off, found herself content with her role in the harrowing scene. As she put it to Entertainment Weekly, “I had been hoping for a dignified death, and when I read the script, I thought, ‘Oh no, everyone dies!'” She further expressed, “But what happened on the day surpassed anything that was written on the page.

In a goodbye call regarding Game of Thrones in 2013, Madden admitted that it was incredibly tough. The atmosphere was filled with emotion, and there were numerous tears shed by many, including himself.

In simpler terms, when Lily Allen was given the opportunity to play Yara, the sister of Theon Greyjoy (portrayed by her actual sibling, Alfie Allen), it proved to be a challenging decision for her.

In 2014, when asked about it by Vulture, she expressed discomfort by saying, “When I learned about the scene where Theon, not recognizing Yara since childhood, makes advances on her, I flatly refused. It involved riding a horse and potentially being inappropriately touched.

Certainly, Gemma Whelan delivered an outstanding performance as Yara, once she grasped the fundamental rule of ‘Game of Thrones’.

In 2017, she shared with The Times that her initial learning experience came when she started her job. Apparently, no one had warned her to keep it a secret, so she included the information on her resume that she would be portraying Yara Greyjoy in Game of Thrones during that summer. This unexpected revelation caused quite a stir online, and one of the friendly producers from Game of Thrones summoned her to his office to express grave concerns. They explained that they almost couldn’t hire her due to this unintended disclosure.

The scene in season five where Jon Snow was fatally wounded by his Night’s Watch brethren, although they actually struck him from the front multiple times, was one of the most heart-wrenching cliffhangers. It left viewers with a sense that, despite appearing to die, it couldn’t possibly be the last we saw of Jon Snow (even though “Game of Thrones” didn’t shy away from eliminating major characters…).

As a devoted follower, I was always referred to as “LC” (Lord Commander) instead of Jon Snow on set, and that rule held firm throughout the entire production. Even my name was conspicuously absent from call sheets and any other areas within view where it could potentially be seen by unauthorized individuals, all in an effort to keep my character’s revival in season six a secret, as I shared with Entertainment Weekly about the intricate subterfuge that was employed.

Harington expressed relief that many people were grieving over his character’s death. He had worried they might not care or react indifferently, but it seemed as though they felt a deep sorrow, much like the Red Wedding episode, which indicated that the portrayal of Jon Snow was resonating with the audience.

It’s common knowledge among fans that after season five, Benioff and Weiss were left to navigate the icy cold unknown, since they had exhausted the source material, as George R.R. Martin was still working on book six, “The Winds of Winter.” To clarify, it’s still in progress. However, he did offer some guidance on specific plot points, like the emotionally charged Hodor revelation from both past and present.

In principle, Game of Thrones could have continued indefinitely past its eighth season. However, the creators chose not to prolong their stay.

In 2016, after the season six finale (named “The Winds of Winter”), Weiss said they wanted to depart while everyone watching was deeply engrossed in the show. The idea was to exit at a peak moment and not have it feel like relief that it was finally over.

Benioff expressed, “We aim to create a unified narrative with a clear start, progression, and conclusion. Just as Dan mentioned, we’ve been aware of the ending for a while now, and we’re rapidly approaching it.

Initially, what sparked our enthusiasm was the concept itself, right from the moment we presented it to HBO. Instead of creating a series with each season introducing fresh plotlines, we envisioned it as one extensive narrative. Our goal wasn’t to extend it unnecessarily for more episodes or because audiences were still engaged. We aimed to create something that, if viewed in its entirety, would coherently unfold as one continuous tale. Now, we’re definitely moving towards the climax of this story.

Indeed, bringing the captivating world of “Game of Thrones” to life was no easy feat. Each day, I donned intricate costumes that required a full hour just to put on. But it wasn’t just about me; coordinating over 500 extras to create the illusion of thousands was a daunting task. And let’s not forget the challenge of managing dozens of horses for the epic “Battle of the Bastards” in season six. It was a testament to the dedication and skill of everyone involved, transforming our collective efforts into the breathtaking scenes we all came to know and love.

By the finale, it seemed like the team was simply exhausted, as water bottles and Starbucks cups started appearing on set.

Benioff remarked to Deadline that the most challenging aspect was managing the horses during the crucial showdown between Jon Snow and Ramsay Baratheon for Winterfell’s control. He explained that horses complicate everything, making situations more difficult. He gave credit to “horse wrangler” Camilla Naprous for making it all work smoothly.

Additionally, he emphasized that they boast exceptional stunt performers and, under the guidance of director Miguel Sapochnik, who is renowned for dedicating extensive time to each shot prior, ensuring precision in his vision. Consequently, they limit their shooting days to 10 hours, necessitating efficient use of time. I’ve never encountered a director as detail-oriented in preparation as Miguel, and it becomes evident when you witness the final product on screen.

In total, across 73 extensive episodes, the production cost of Game of Thrones averaged around $100 million per season. This cost increased from $6 million in the first season to a staggering $15 million in its eighth and concluding season, as reported by Variety. However, it earned HBO an impressive 59 Emmy Awards, paved unquantifiable paths for its genre, and significantly impacted the lives of everyone involved with the show.

And you can’t really put a price tag on that.

2025-07-09 18:48

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