At a Glance
- Sophie Turner, the former Sansa Stark, said she won’t watch HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
- She remains supportive of the cast and crew, hoping the series succeeds.
- The spinoff follows the story of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
Why it matters: Turner’s candid admission highlights the emotional weight the original Game of Thrones holds for its actors and fans.
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Sophie Turner, who portrayed Sansa Stark for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019, recently appeared on the red carpet for her new Prime Video series Steal. When asked by freelance journalist James B. Street whether she planned to watch the new HBO spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Turner said she would not.
> “If I’m totally honest, anything Game of Thrones, I don’t think I can [watch],” Turner told Street. “I can’t even hear the theme tune. It gives me crazy anxiety.”
She added that she doesn’t know why the theme song triggers such a reaction, despite saying she had the best time on the original show.
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Turner’s Journey Through Game of Thrones
Turner began auditioning for Game of Thrones at the age of 12 and wrapped the series when she was 23. She has called the eight-season run her “best acting class” and praised the experience of working alongside seasoned actors.
> “I never had proper formal training, so I got to learn from the amazing actors around me, which – I felt like I won a competition,” she told the Dish podcast in August 2025. “It was great. We all were a family.”
She noted that the show taught her everything from business decisions to etiquette on set.
> “The show informed my entire life, in terms of like business decisions, just etiquette on set, how to act … Everything, I learned from Game of Thrones – and a bit from my parents.”
Turner’s connection to her character was deep.
> “My character, I got to live with, so it felt like we kind of merged into one person by the end of it,” she said. “It was amazing.”
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Why Turner Won’t Watch the Spinoff
Turner’s reluctance stems from a personal emotional response. She described the theme song as triggering anxiety and expressed uncertainty about why the song elicits such a reaction.
> “I don’t know why – I had the best time on that show – but I can’t watch anything related to it.”
Despite this, she remains optimistic about the new series.
> “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.
Turner concluded that while she won’t be watching, she will still support the project.
> “I won’t be watching it, but I’ll be rooting for you.”
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Overview
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a six-episode series adapted from a 1998 novella by George R. R. Martin.
- The story follows the unlikely duo Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Sol Ansell) a century before the events of Game of Thrones.
- Episodes air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.
Production Team
- Peter Claffey – Lead actor, portraying Ser Duncan the Tall.
- Dexter Sol Ansell – Plays Egg.
- HBO – Network airing the series.
Claffey, who is also 29, expressed the challenge of stepping into the beloved universe.
> “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,” he told News Of Los Angeles.
> “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. Hopefully, it will get taken well, but it is daunting.”
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Turner’s Current Projects
Turner’s new Prime Video series Steal is currently streaming. She attended the Steal BAFTA Screening on January 12, 2026 in London.
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Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Sophie Turner debuts as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones |
| 2019 | Turner concludes her run on Game of Thrones |
| 2025 | Turner speaks on Dish podcast about her experience on the show |
| 2026 | Turner attends Steal BAFTA Screening |
| 2026 | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO |
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Takeaways
- Sophie Turner’s decision not to watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms underscores the lasting emotional impact of Game of Thrones.
- She remains supportive of the new series, wishing success for the cast and crew.
- The spinoff, set a century earlier, explores fresh characters while staying true to the original universe.
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