Sophie Turner Reveals Criticism of Her “Game of Thrones” Character Led To Depression

HBO fantasy television series “Game of Thrones” is arguably the most loved television series of the moment, but the same love does not apply to all of its characters.

23-year-old Sophie Turner who made her professional acting debut as Sansa Stark on “Game of Thrones” has since found herself facing international recognition and it hasn’t always been positive.

The British actress during an interview with Dr. Phil on his podcast, “Phil in the Blanks” has revealed that criticism of her role as Sansa Stark was one of the reasons that led to her depression.

According to the star, she started to become depressed around age 17. She said,

“The biggest challenge is just for me getting out of bed and getting out of the house and learning to love yourself I think is the biggest challenge.”

She went on to add that she felt alone after her friends and brothers moved away for college, while she was working on “Game of Thrones” and living with her parents. Social media became a “catalyst” for her depression, she said.

“It only started to kind of go downhill I think when I started to hit puberty, and really puberty, though, at like 17. My metabolism was like slowing down massively, and I was gaining weight. And then there was the social media scrutiny and everything, and that was when it kind of hit me.”

Turner added that at the time, she was more sensitive about what people would say about her on social media. She said she would read comments talking about her weight and skin as well as criticism about her acting.

“I would just believe it,” she said. “I would just say, ‘Yeah, I am spotty. Yeah I am fat. I am a bad actress.’ And I just believed it.”

Turner who has since sought therapy and treatment, however, pointed out that she now she feels much better since seeking therapy and treatment. She said,

“I love myself now, or more than I used to, I think. I don’t think I love myself at all, but I’m now with someone that makes me realise, you know, that I do have some redeeming qualities I suppose,” she said, referencing her fiancé Joe Jonas. “When someone tells you they love you every day, it makes you really think about why that is, and I think it makes you love yourself a little bit more, so, yeah, I love myself.”

It would be recalled that the first episode of the final season of “Game of Thrones” premiered on Sunday, April 14 to the delight of millions of fans worldwide.