Sophie Turner has acknowledged the challenges of single motherhood, stating that it has been a “struggle.” She also revealed that portraying her character, Joan, in a new series has provided her with strength during her ongoing divorce from Joe Jonas.
The Game of Thrones actress, aged 28, discussed her experiences in a recent interview ahead of the premiere of her six-part crime series Joan, which airs on Sunday night. In the series, she portrays the real-life figure Joan “The Godmother” Hannington.
On September 11, it was reported that Sophie Turner and her estranged husband, Joe Jonas, 35, of the Jonas Brothers, have finalized their year-long divorce. The proceedings faced delays due to significant disputes over custody arrangements for their daughters, Willa, aged four, and Delphine, aged two.
Sophie made her relationship with her new boyfriend, aristocrat Peregrine Pearson, Instagram official last Monday, much to the delight of her fans. She married Joe in 2019.
Sophie discussed her new role as mother Joan in an interview with The Sunday Times Culture Magazine, expressing how the character profoundly impacted her. She said, “Joan changed me quite a lot. From utter desperation comes so much will and ambition. The series came around at a time in my life where I had to be ambitious and I had to have such strong will and fight against the forces. She gave me a lot of strength. If I hadn’t been a mother, I don’t know if I would have been able to bring the same energy that I did into it. It’s such a struggle being a single mother.”
Earlier this week, Sophie revealed that she became “swept away” by emotion while filming ITV’s Joan, which she began during her divorce from Joe. The series chronicles Joan’s transformation from a housewife and mother to a petty offender and ultimately a diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London.
At a press conference for the show, Sophie noted her ease in expressing emotion, saying, “I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional.” She described her character, mother Joan, as “so funny” yet marked by significant trauma and ambition. Sophie added, “There really is so much to her – mother, lover, liar, thief. It’s just remarkable that it’s all a true story.”
The drama follows Joan as she escapes her violent husband, forcing her to place her daughter into care while she gets back on her feet. With no money and nowhere to live, she secures a job at a jeweller’s, where she steals her first diamonds.
Joan’s life takes a turn for the better when she meets antiques dealer Boisie, played by Harry Potter actor Frank Dillane, who brings her on as a partner in crime.
