Sophie Turner speaks out after being 'widely misquoted' on motherhood

Actress Sophie Turner has clarified a statement she made on her new TV show about motherhood: Joanairs in her home country of Great Britain

The context

The game of Thrones The actress, who shares two children with singer Joe Jonas, from whom she went through a high-profile divorce, said she has been “widely misquoted” about her alleged comments about being a “single mother.”

What we know

Turner spoke about motherhood in an interview with the British newspaper in connection with her new TV show The Sunday Times. However, they were picked up by other media outlets, which Turner described as a misrepresentation of her statement.

“I feel frustrated and disappointed for all women when publications use abbreviated quotes to create clickbait headlines,” Turner said Newsweek, in response to a request for comment Monday morning. “It’s unfair and misrepresents what was said and I think they should be made aware of that. I have the right to correct it and denounce it.”

Turner clarified on her Instagram Stories on Monday morning that the comments she made in the newspaper interview were related to the character she plays Joan.

“I have been widely misquoted in publications today 'claiming' that being a single mother is 'a huge struggle,'” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

“I want to make it clear that I was talking about the character of Joan that I play and not myself, which is clear from the original interview in the series Sunday Times Culture Section. I'm very lucky to have a lot of help around me, which a lot of people don't – I applaud all the single mothers who are making it on their own.”

Turner plays notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in the six-part drama, which airs on British network ITV.

She spoke with The Sunday Times to promote the series, in which she made comments about motherhood and it was pointed out that she was filming Joan when her marriage to Jonas fell apart.

“Joan has changed me quite a bit. Out of complete desperation comes so much will and ambition,” Turner said. “The series came about at a time in my life where I had to be ambitious and have such a strong will and fight against the forces. She gave me a lot of strength.”

Turner said it helped her portray Hannington in the TV drama because she is a mother of two herself.

“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,” she said in the interview.

“It's such a struggle being a single mother. Joan doesn't do it in the best way… but it's amazing to see how she really fights for her daughter. It is also very important for children to see how hard parents work for them.”

Views

As Turner's comments come in The Sunday Times garnered a lot of attention, the focus shifted to praise for the actress after the first episode Joan aired in the UK on Sunday evening

“Precisely. I loved it… Sophie Turner steals the show as Britain's most glamorous thief,” Times Radio weekend editor Jo Sokill wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“That was an opening episode… wow, Sophie Turner is an absolute star. I think I’m really going to enjoy this show,” commented @lou__007.

“Sophie Turner shows what an incredibly versatile actress she is. You wouldn't even know it was her. Wow! Blown away!” wrote @jolovsadventure.

Update 9/30/24, 8:21 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include additional information and a response from Sophie Turner.