At a Glance
- Sophie Turner welcomed her first child at 24 and second at 26
- The actress took a career break to focus on motherhood and “nesting”
- She now leads Prime Video’s upcoming Tomb Raider series
- Why it matters: Turner shares rare insights on balancing early motherhood with Hollywood demands
Sophie Turner is opening up about becoming a mom in her early 20s and how it shaped her life and career choices.
The Game of Thrones alum, 29, spoke candidly about navigating motherhood with daughters Willa, 5, and Delphine, 3, in a new interview with The Guardian published Friday, Jan. 16. Turner shares both children with ex-husband Joe Jonas.
Early Motherhood Journey
Turner welcomed Willa at age 24 and Delphine at 26, embracing motherhood during what many consider the peak years for building an acting career. Rather than viewing this timing as a setback, she found peace in her decision.
“It’s really nice. I’m not worrying about my biological clock and all that sort of stuff,” Turner told The Guardian.
The British actress made significant life changes during this period. She relocated to the United States during her relationship with Jonas, which began in 2016. The couple got engaged in 2017 and married in 2019. Following their 2023 divorce, Turner returned to the United Kingdom.
Career Pause and Reflection
The end of Game of Thrones in 2019 coincided with major personal transitions for Turner. She made the conscious choice to step back from acting during this period.
“It just felt like the right break to focus on me, because I’d been a character for so long,” she explained.
The actress described this nesting period as “amazing” but acknowledged its professional challenges. The timing proved particularly difficult given the entertainment industry’s competitive nature.
“Nesting and being at home was amazing. But the flipside of it, and Covid didn’t help, was that this was a big break from the career,” Turner said. “And I’ve had to try to rebuild, in a way. You don’t realise how important momentum is in a career, and I stalled it a bit.”
Lessons from Early Fame
Turner’s rise to fame came early when she began playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones as a teenager. This early success brought unique challenges, particularly when portraying complex emotions she hadn’t yet experienced personally.
“A really important part of being an actor is to live a life so you have experiences to draw on,” Turner reflected. “I remember having to act being in love before I’d ever been in love. I thought, ‘OK, I guess I’ll just do this.'”
Her perspective changed after experiencing real relationships. “And then suddenly, when I’d been in love for the first time, then I knew the feeling,” she continued. “That’s part of the job – to sit in the discomfort of feeling so that we can bring it to the table.”
Life After Divorce
Since her highly publicized divorce from Jonas, which was settled in 2024, Turner has maintained a relatively private personal life. However, she’s made several revealing comments about her preferences and priorities.
The actress recently declared she never wants to leave the U.K. again after returning to her home country post-divorce.
“I just feel so at home here; I never want to move again,” Turner told Flaunt magazine last year.
She elaborated on the importance of close relationships, something she gained perspective on during her time living abroad.
“Living in the States, I didn’t appreciate how much you need friends and family and how integral they are to your wellness until you’re away from them,” she said. “I came back with an abundance of appreciation for them.”
Looking Ahead at 30
As Turner approaches her 30th birthday in February, she’s focused on finding balance between career ambitions and family time. During an appearance on CBS Mornings earlier this month, she shared her vision for the next decade.
Asked about her bucket list for the coming years, the actress expressed dual goals: “work a lot” while also finding time for “a bit of peace and quiet.”
“I’m really looking forward to just spending time with my kids,” Turner added. “Going to the playground, taking them to museums. Really entering a calm phase of my life.”
Professional Revival
Despite the career momentum she lost during her break, Turner is experiencing a professional resurgence. She’s set to lead Prime Video’s upcoming Tomb Raider series, marking a significant return to leading roles.
This casting represents a full-circle moment for the actress, who took time away from Hollywood to focus on motherhood and is now returning to headline a major franchise.
Key Takeaways
- Turner embraced motherhood at 24 and 26, viewing it as freeing rather than limiting
- She consciously chose family over career momentum during her early 20s
- The actress values her U.K. roots and proximity to family after her divorce
- She’s rebuilding her career with major projects like the Tomb Raider series
- Turner aims to balance professional success with quality time as a mom
