Sophie Turner Explains Controversial Game of Thrones Rape Scene

Let me guess—you’re just now catching up on the whole Game of Thrones drama surrounding Sophie Turner’s portrayal of Sansa Stark? Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it, but try to keep up.

For those of you who’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps hiding from dragons), Sophie Turner, the actress behind Sansa Stark, recently opened up about the infamous Season 5 rape scene that left fans and critics divided. The episode in question, titled “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” aired back in 2015 and depicted Sansa’s traumatic wedding night with Ramsay Bolton. Turner, who was 19 at the time, has since reflected on the scene in an interview with *Flaunt* magazine, offering a nuanced perspective on why she believes the storyline was important—even if it was triggering.

Now, before you start drafting your angry tweet, let’s rewind a bit. Turner first encountered the show’s darker themes in Season 2, when her character was nearly sexually assaulted. At just 14 years old during filming, she admitted she didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the scene. “I was trying to figure it out in my young little head,” she recalled. By the time Season 5 rolled around, she had a clearer understanding of what the show was trying to convey.

Turner acknowledged the backlash, stating that she “totally understand[s] that point of view” when it comes to the scene being triggering. However, she also emphasized that the show was highlighting the brutal realities women have faced for centuries. “I did feel we were actually doing a lot of justice to women and the fight women have had to fight,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s one woman I know who hasn’t had a form of that.”

While the scene was praised by some for its raw depiction of trauma, critics were quick to question whether it was necessary or exploitative. One *Atlantic* writer criticized the showrunners for leaning too heavily into sexual violence, calling it a “defining weakness” of the adaptation. Meanwhile, a *Guardian* critic noted that the writers were “walking a very fine line” and warned against veering into gratuitous territory.

But not everyone was critical. *New York Post* writer Sara Stewart argued that outrage over Sansa’s rape was misplaced, considering the show’s long history of depicting violence against women. “Why are we suddenly so outraged about the rape of Sansa Stark, when this show has served up a steady diet of sexual assault and violence against women since its first season began?” she questioned.

Iwan Rheon, who played Ramsay Bolton, also reflected on the difficulty of filming the scene, calling it “the worst day of my career.” He admitted it was “very, very hard watching” the scene later on, but emphasized the importance of telling the story truthfully.

Despite the controversy, Turner has no regrets. She even joked that she got her “sex education” from *Game of Thrones*, which ran for eight seasons on HBO from 2011 to 2019. While she’s not part of the *House of the Dragon* prequel, she made it clear she wouldn’t return unless it was with the original cast and crew.

So, was the scene necessary? That’s still up for debate. But one thing’s for sure—Turner’s perspective adds a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how media portrays sexual violence and the responsibility of storytellers in handling such sensitive topics.

Well, now you finally understand!

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Flaunt Magazine, Metro
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