Sophie Turner Admits 'Disturbing' Dynamic Playing Lovers With On-Screen Brother Kit Harington
British actress Sophie Turner has candidly described the experience of portraying lovers with her former Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington as "disturbing" and "dreadful". The 29-year-old star, who rose to fame as Sansa Stark in the epic fantasy series, is reuniting with Harington on screen for the first time since the show's conclusion in the upcoming Gothic horror film The Dreadful.
From Siblings to Lovers: An Uncomfortable Transition
During an appearance on Nick Grimshaw's BBC Radio 6 show, Turner revealed the psychological challenge of shifting from playing Harington's on-screen sister to his romantic interest. "Because I've known him since I was 13, he is like an older brother, so it's actually really disturbing. It was dreadful," she confessed. The actress elaborated that their long-standing friendship, which began during their teenage years filming Game of Thrones, made intimate scenes particularly awkward.
Turner recalled sending the script to Harington, who responded with apprehension about the romantic elements. "He kind of sent me a message back going like, 'Yeah, I'd love to, but this is going to be really f***ing weird, Soph'," she shared. Upon reading the script herself, she realised the extent of their characters' physical relationship, which includes multiple kissing and sex scenes.
Physical Discomfort and Professional Perseverance
The discomfort manifested physically during filming, with both actors experiencing visceral reactions during their first kissing scene. Turner described the moment vividly: "We are both retching. Like, really, it is vile. It was the worst." Despite this initial revulsion, the pair persevered because of their commitment to what Turner called a "good script".
Harington echoed these sentiments in separate comments, acknowledging the oddness of the situation while emphasising the professional opportunity. "I felt very odd about that. But it was a good chance to be with her again and work together," he explained. The actor also humorously noted the practical challenges, including needing to stand on an apple box during kissing scenes due to Turner's height advantage.
Behind the Scenes: Creative Control and Future Ambitions
Beyond her acting role, Turner served as an executive producer on The Dreadful, which she described as a rewarding experience that gave her greater creative agency. "It's really nice to have agency over the character's stories. Sometimes you show up as an actor and you don't have a choice of anything like what you wear or how your hair is," she reflected.
However, when asked about potentially moving into directing, Turner was definitive about her preferences. "I couldn't direct. I think I am an actor at heart and I also don't like production meetings," she stated, clarifying her commitment to performing rather than behind-the-scenes roles.
Film Details and Historical Context
The Dreadful, scheduled for cinematic release on February 20, represents a loose remake of the Japanese film Onibaba. Set during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses, the Gothic horror follows Anne (played by Turner) and her mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden) as they navigate societal marginalisation. The plot intensifies when Jago (Harington) returns from war, sparking a complex relationship with Anne after her husband fails to return.
The recently released trailer teases intimate moments between Turner and Harington's characters, highlighting the dramatic tension that forms the film's emotional core.
Post-Game of Thrones Careers and Series Legacy
Since Game of Thrones concluded six years ago, both actors have pursued diverse projects. Turner has starred in ITV's Joan, the Amazon Prime thriller Steal, and will appear as Lara Croft in an upcoming Tomb Raider series. Harington's most notable role has been as Henry Muck in the BBC financial thriller Industry.
Despite widespread fan disappointment with the series' controversial ending, Turner has defended the conclusion of her character's arc. "I feel that I was very happy with the way Sansa ended her story in Game of Thrones, and no one else was really happy with their ending," she told The Direct. Sansa Stark concluded the series as Queen of the North after the region regained independence, a resolution Turner considers satisfying.
Both actors have expressed frustration with the negative reception from some fans, particularly referencing a petition that garnered 1.8 million signatures demanding a remake of the final season. Harington described the petition as "genuinely angering" and "disrespectful to the crew, and the writers, and the filmmakers who have worked tirelessly." Turner similarly criticised what she perceived as entitlement among certain viewers.
As The Dreadful approaches its release, Turner and Harington's professional reunion continues to generate significant interest, particularly given their candid revelations about the psychological and physical challenges of transforming their on-screen relationship from familial to romantic.
