Sophie Turner never imagined that at just 14, she’d be catapulted into the middle of a global phenomenon. Born in Northampton, England, on February 21, 1996, Turner landed the role of Sansa Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones as a teenager and suddenly found herself navigating all the chaos and attention that comes with overnight fame.
For years, millions watched Turner bring Sansa to life – first as a quietly suffering pawn, later as the formidable Lady of Winterfell. But Turner’s career hasn’t stayed in the shadows of Westeros. She took on Jean Grey in X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, roles that pushed her into blockbuster territory, even as they drew mixed reviews. More recently, she’s shown off her range in projects like the twisty crime drama The Staircase and the Netflix dark comedy Do Revenge, winning over critics and fans alike.
One thing that’s always set Turner apart is her honesty. Unlike many stars who fiercely guard their privacy, she’s spoken openly about her battles with mental health and the surreal experience of growing up in front of cameras. Fans, especially those who saw themselves in her as Sansa, have latched onto her candor – it’s refreshing to see someone so accustomed to red carpets talking frankly about anxiety and self-doubt.
Love in the Spotlight
Of course, when you’re in the public eye, your relationships get magnified, and Turner’s love life has been periodically splashed across headlines. Lately, she’s been spotted with British aristocrat Peregrine Pearson – the two were first seen sharing a kiss in Paris last October, hinting at a new romance. This comes after her very public split from musician Joe Jonas.
Turner met Jonas in 2016, thanks to mutual friends (and, if the interviews are to be believed, a little bit of Instagram sliding). In less than a year, they were engaged. Their surprise wedding in Las Vegas – with Elvis officiating – was quintessentially rock ‘n’ roll, and they threw a second, more traditional ceremony in France soon after. Together, they have two daughters, though their transatlantic family life hit a rough patch in 2023: the couple announced their separation that August.
For a few weeks, the breakup turned tense, with headlines chronicling disagreements over custody. But the dust settled in September, and Turner’s since talked candidly about the challenges and rewards of co-parenting with Jonas, especially since she’s now based in the UK while he remains stateside.
Before Jonas, Turner kept her romantic life almost entirely out of the press. There were murmurs about potential flings with actors Thomas Mann and her X-Men co-star Tye Sheridan, but she never confirmed anything – no surprise, given that she spent her adolescence trying to keep even everyday moments out of the tabloids’ reach.
Reflecting on that experience in a 2019 interview with Elle, Turner admitted, “You really feel like you’re living in a fishbowl.” That slice of honesty captures the contradiction she’s grappled with: wanting to connect, to grow, to love – while living under a microscope.
Lately, what stands out is how much Turner seems to have grown into herself. The nervous teen who once worried about pleasing the world has become a young woman who makes decisions – about her career, her relationships, her family – on her own terms.
Past Relationships
Peregrine Pearson
Joe Jonas
Tye Sheridan
Thomas Mann
James McVey
As she takes on new acting roles, juggles motherhood, and steps into new relationships, Turner seems more grounded and self-assured than ever. Watching her navigate the unpredictability of early stardom – and come out the other side with her sense of humor and identity intact – remains her most compelling storyline yet.