Sophie Turner Says Her New Role as a Single Mother 'Helped Me Find Strength' amid Joe Jonas Divorce

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Sophie Turneris opening up about how her latest role impacted her life.

The actress, 28 — who shares daughtersWilla, 4, and Delphine, 2, with ex-husbandJoe Jonas— says being a mother helped inform her title role in the new seriesJoan.

Speaking to the U.K.’sThe Sunday Timesabout stepping into the character of jewel thief and single mom Joan Hannington in the upcoming show, Turner said, “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 into it.”

“It’s such a struggle being a single mother. Joan doesn’t go about it in the best way … but it is amazing to see her really fighting for her daughter," she continued. “It’s also really important for kids to see just how hard parents work for them.”

“I have been widely misquoted today in publications where I have ‘stated’ that ‘it’s such a struggle being a single mother,' ” Turner wrote of the interview published on Sunday, Sept. 29.

“I’d like to clarify that I was talking about the character ofJoan that I play and was not referring to myself, which is obvious from the original interview in the Sunday Times culture section,” she continued.

“I’m very fortunate personally to have a lot of help around me, which is not the case for a lot of people — I applaud all single mothers doing it alone,” Turner’s message concluded.

Turner as diamond thief and single mother Joan Harrington in the new series ‘Joan’.Courtesy The CW

Courtesy The CW

In her latest interview, theGame of Thronesalum also revealed she filmedJoanwhile in the middle of her divorce. She said playing the character “gave me a lot of strength” during the difficult time.

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

“She also taught me how to do a good ring swap in a handbag,” she then joked.

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Turner at the ‘Joan’ photocall in London on Sept. 19.James Veysey/Shutterstock

James Veysey/Shutterstock

In the new six-part seriesJoan, Turner plays one of Britain’s most notorious diamond thieves in an exhilarating and emotional true story following her in her 20s, set in mid-1980s London.

Speaking of the perception of single motherhood from the 1980s to now, Turner shared that, after playing the role, she believes people’s views haven’t changed much.

“There’s so much shame that comes with motherhood,” she toldThe Sunday Times.“You go to work, you’re shamed. If you don’t go to work, you’re shamed.”

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A source told PEOPLE earlier this month that Turner and Jonas are on “friendly” terms and are prioritizing their daughters with peaceful co-parenting after a back-and-forth battle over custody of their girls.

“They turned things around from the initial messy custody battle," the source said. “They are friendly and great co-parents now.”

Joanis set to premiere in the U.K. in September, before hitting U.S. screens on Tuesday, Oct. 2, on The CW

source: people.com