Years after the Game of Thrones series wrapped up in a way that is still considered one of the most divisive conclusions in television history, Sophie Turner is giving a unique look at how the conclusion was received not just among the fans, but among the cast members as well. In a recent interview with The Direct, the actress revealed that the disappointment that the fans experienced was a sentiment that was shared among the cast members as well.
As stated by Turner, who played Sansa Stark throughout all eight seasons, she was one of the few people who came away from the experience with a sense of satisfaction that no one else had. While viewers were passionately arguing over decisions made in the storyline, this actress felt that her character had a satisfying end.
“No one else was really happy”
The words of Turner are quite telling about the internal reaction of the cast members regarding the final season. Although Sansa Stark got a happy ending as Queen in the North—meaning a place with autonomy, strength, and earned respect—this is not the case with other cast members.
“I feel that I was very happy with the way Sansa ended her story in Game of Thrones, and no one else was really happy with their ending,” Turner continued. “I feel like I got a good one, and so I don’t know if I could revisit it.” This statement highlights the dichotomy between the success of Sansa and the contentious resolutions of the other characters.
Jon’s banishment beyond the Wall, Daenerys’ sudden onset of tyranny, or the shock deaths of Varys, to name a few, had become lightning rods for criticism. These comments from Turner reflect previous grievances expressed by Conleth Hill, who had publicly denounced the haste with which Varys’ death had been dispatched, famously appearing nonplussed during a table read of the final episode.
With George R. R. Martin having recently stated that several Game of Thrones sequels, aside from prequels, are now in the early stages of production, rumors of returning characters have surfaced once more. Turner, however, appears hesitant about a potential return to Westeros.
“Maybe it would be an utter joy, or maybe it would be trying to cling on to something that was magic back in the day that can’t be recreated,” Turner went on. “I would have to see a script.”
Turner’s level-headedness in terms of openness is in contrast to her co-star and on-screen brother, Kit Harington. Originally attached to a potential sequel to Snow, Harington has since separated himself from the series as a whole, stating to Variety, “nothing to do with it.” Maisie Williams, however, has adopted a more ambiguous approach, famously saying, “Never say never.”
Meanwhile, Turner is also weighing her options, but HBO is continuing the expansion of its Game of Thrones universe with an ambitious, interlocking strategy. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms debuts on January 18, 2026; House of the Dragon returns for its third season in 2026, and Aegon’s Conquest is still in active development. The Verdict: Sophie Turner knows that she was one of the luckier ones to come out of Game of Thrones. With her head held high and her freedom in hand, Sansa Stark received the one thing that very few characters did—a satisfying conclusion. However, the aftereffects of the finale have been evident all along, as Sophie herself admits.
