Sophie Turner Defends Controversial 'Game of Thrones' Rape Scene: A Necessary Conversation?

Sophie Turner Spills the Tea on Game of Thrones' Most Infamous Scene: The Rape of Sansa Stark

In a candid interview with Flaunt Magazine, Sophie Turner has finally opened up about one of the most talked-about scenes in Game of Thrones history - the brutal rape of her character Sansa Stark by Ramsay Bolton. And let's just say it's been a long time coming.

The 29-year-old actress was only 19 when she filmed the distressing episode, which aired during the show's fifth season and sparked global outrage. But nearly a decade later, Turner is reflecting on why she believes the storyline played such a vital role in sparking much-needed conversations about sexual violence.

"I did feel - and still do - that Game of Thrones shone a light on things that many people were like, 'Oh god, you can't show that kind of thing' - and I understand it can be triggering," Turner explains. "But I did feel we were actually doing a lot of justice to women and the fight women have had to fight for hundreds of thousands of years."

Turner's words are laced with conviction as she recalls the countless times she's seen women endure "the patriarchy, being treated as objects, and constantly sexually assaulted." And her assertion that every woman she knows has experienced some form of this is nothing short of alarming.

"I don't think there's one woman I know who hasn't had a form of that," she says matter-of-factly. "And it's not just about what happens in the moment; it's about the trauma, the shame, and the guilt that follows."

Turner's sentiments are echoed by her co-star Iwan Rheon, 40, who spoke to Metro in 2020 about the difficulties of shooting the scene.

"That was horrible," he recalls. "Nobody wanted to be there. Nobody wants to do that, but if it's telling a story then you have to tell it truthfully." Rheon went on to describe the day of filming as his worst experience as an actor: "It was very, very hard watching. It's a horrible thing that happens, unfortunately."

The scene in question is one of the most widely criticized moments in Game of Thrones history, with some fans even boycotting the show in protest. But Turner maintains that the storyline served a greater purpose - to spark dialogue and raise awareness about the devastating reality of sexual violence.

"Game of Thrones was on air from 2011 to 2019, but during its run, the show sparked backlash over the 'exploitative' and 'unnecessary' depictions of sexual violence and abuse against women," Turner explains. "The scene is one of the most widely criticized scenes in the series, leading some fans to abandon ship."

However, Turner refuses to back down from her stance on the importance of tackling tough subjects like this on screen.

"I think if Game of Thrones came out today, we'd definitely put some trigger warnings on there," she says. "But I'm really proud to have been a part of Game of Thrones where they didn't shy away from showing atrocities that happened to women back then. I feel proud to have been part of the conversation."

Turner's commitment to using her platform for good is no secret. The actress has long been an advocate for survivors of sexual violence, and in 2015, she penned a powerful essay reflecting on the public outrage over the storyline.

"I wondered why people felt so impassioned to speak out about a fictional rape when this happens all over the world every day," she wrote. "In a time where it seems a lot of focus is being placed upon domestic issues and concerns, it's important that we draw some attention to the people who aren't able to publicize the horrors that are occurring or have occurred in their own countries."

Turner went on to travel to Rwanda, meeting women affected by violence and drawing inspiration from their strength.

"Ultimately, I hope to help [Women for Women International] build their network and raise much-needed funds to help more women survivors of war," she said at the time.

So what's next for Turner? The actress has continued to use her platform to raise awareness about social justice issues, including sexual violence. And as she looks back on her time playing Sansa Stark, it's clear that this moment in Game of Thrones history will always be a defining one - both for the show and for Turner herself.

Sophie Turner: The Actress Who Refused to Back Down

In a world where women are still fighting for equality, Sophie Turner's commitment to using her platform for good is nothing short of inspiring. And it's clear that this talented actress has no intention of backing down from the tough conversations she's had with fans over the years.

From Game of Thrones' infamous rape scene to her advocacy work as a patron for Women for Women International, Turner has consistently shown that she's not afraid to tackle difficult subjects head-on. And in an era where social justice issues are more pressing than ever, it's clear that this young actress is here to stay.

As she looks back on her time playing Sansa Stark, Turner remains proud of the impact Game of Thrones had on sparking conversations about sexual violence. But make no mistake - this is just one chapter in a much larger story. For Sophie Turner, the conversation has only just begun.