Sophie Turner Opens Up About Motherhood, Career, and Life After Divorce

In a candid interview with Net-a-Porter’s Porter, Sophie Turner revealed the emotional balancing act of being both a dedicated mother and passionate actress. At 29, the former “Game of Thrones” star spoke honestly about the persistent maternal guilt she experiences while juggling her professional commitments with raising her two young daughters, Willa, 5, and Delphine, 3, whom she shares with ex-husband Joe Jonas. “The mum guilt is there forever,” Turner admitted, describing how she structures her time to maximize family moments. “I work all week and then, on the weekends, I’ll spend all day with my kids each day.” Even during brief social outings, Turner finds herself rushing home as her “heart is sinking” from being apart from her children. This intense connection to her daughters has temporarily reshaped other aspects of her life, with the actress confessing, “I haven’t seen my friends or gone on a date in weeks, months! I just sack off parts of my life sometimes. I only have the capacity for work and family right now.” Though she acknowledges this imbalance, Turner reassures that she’s “working on” creating space for friendships and potentially romance in the future.

Despite the guilt associated with her demanding career, Turner recognizes the positive example she’s setting for her daughters through her professional dedication. “In order to be a great role model for them, I have to have a passion for myself,” she explained, finding value in showing her children that she’s “working my arse off” each day. The relationship with her daughters has become beautifully reciprocal, with Turner crediting them for rekindling her passion for acting through their imaginative play at home. “They love making up plays. I’ve got the joy and the childlike-ness of it back, which is so nice,” she shared. However, the actress isn’t shy about gently reshaping traditional narratives during playtime, encouraging her daughters to think beyond stereotypical princess stories: “They still want to play Disney princesses, where the prince comes and kisses them on the cheek. And I’m like, ‘No, YOU can save the prince!'” This subtle guidance reflects Turner’s desire to empower her daughters while nurturing their creativity.

The emotional education flows both ways in Turner’s household, as she teaches her daughters healthy emotional expression while simultaneously learning from them. “If you have these overwhelming emotions, how do you get it out? That’s something I’ve never really been able to figure out how to do for myself. So, I’m teaching my kids and we’re trying different things,” Turner revealed, adding poignantly, “And then it’s like they’re teaching me how to self-soothe or to process an emotion.” This mutual growth comes during a period of significant personal challenge for Turner, who separated from Jonas in September 2023 after four years of marriage. The couple engaged in a custody dispute over their daughters before finally finalizing their divorce exactly one year later in September 2024. The highly publicized separation marked another difficult chapter in what Turner describes as “relatively hard twenties.”

Turner’s reflection on her past struggles has given her perspective and resilience during this transitional period. “As stressed as I am, I know I can get through it,” she stated with quiet confidence. “That’s the good thing about having a relatively hard twenties: I learned that I can survive a lot.” This hard-won wisdom provides comfort as she navigates the complexities of co-parenting, career advancement, and personal growth. “I have to remind myself that we’re very malleable and we can take on a lot more than we think we can,” Turner added, demonstrating a mature outlook shaped by her experiences. Her words reveal someone who has emerged from challenges with greater self-awareness and emotional strength, qualities that undoubtedly benefit her both as a mother and as an artist.

The transition to single motherhood while maintaining a high-profile career hasn’t been without its difficulties, but Turner approaches this new chapter with determination and hope. Her current professional resurgence follows her acclaimed role as Sansa Stark in “Game of Thrones,” with recent projects showcasing her range as an actress. While not directly addressing her brief rumored connection with Coldplay singer Chris Martin mentioned in the interview, Turner makes it clear that romantic relationships take a backseat to her primary focuses—her daughters and her work. This prioritization reflects a thoughtful approach to life after a significant relationship ends, with Turner giving herself permission to focus on essential aspects of her life while setting aside others temporarily.

Looking toward the future, Turner expresses a simple but profound desire for “peace” in her life. “I feel like it’s been really hectic for a long time and I’m ready to not have that anymore. Just settle a bit,” she shared, adding with a touch of realism, “We’ll see if that happens.” This modest hope reveals much about Turner’s current mindset—a woman who has weathered public scrutiny, personal heartbreak, and professional pressure while raising young children, now seeking a more stable foundation. As she continues balancing the demands of motherhood with her acting career, Turner embodies the contemporary challenges many working parents face, albeit under the magnifying glass of celebrity. Her honesty about maternal guilt, her commitment to modeling passion and hard work for her daughters, and her openness about personal growth make her journey relatable despite its Hollywood context. In sharing these vulnerable reflections, Turner offers a glimpse of the person behind the roles she plays, revealing a dedicated mother who—like so many others—is simply doing her best to nurture both her children and herself.