Sophie Turner opens up on 'struggle' of being a single mum after Joe Jonas split

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner
-Credit: (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)


Sophie Turner has opened up about the challenges of being a single mum, crediting her latest role for giving her strength. The 28-year old-British actress plays notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in ITV's new drama Joan, which explores her complex life in the 80s as a criminal and mother fighting to regain custody of her daughter from social services.

During the filming of the series, Sophie and pop star Joe Jonas announced their split after four years of marriage.

Earlier this month, it was reported that their divorce had been finalised, marking the end of a briefly contentious separation. Speaking to the Sunday Times Culture magazine, Sophie admitted she wasn't sure if she could have brought the "same energy" to her role as Hannington if she wasn't a mother herself.

READ MORE:Jeff Brazier speaks out on emotional toll Race Across The World had on son Freddy

READ MORE:Loose Women star reveals she was banned from Sean 'Diddy' Combs party by famous boyfriend

Sophie Turner
Sophie says playing this role 'changed her' -Credit:PA Wire/PA Images

She confessed: "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 also emphasised the importance of children understanding the efforts parents make for them. The Game Of Thrones star, who shot to fame playing Sansa Stark, also touched on the judgement mothers often face. "There's so much shame that comes with motherhood", she said. "You go to work, you're shamed. If you don't go to work, you're shamed."

Sophie and Jonas, who share two daughters, tied the knot in May 2019 in Las Vegas. According to documents seen by the Associated Press news agency, Joe filed for divorce in Florida's Miami-Dade County Court, stating that the marriage was "irretrievably broken".

During a period when Sophie was filming and separated from her children, a crew member who had become a friend stayed with her.

Sophie is best known for her part as Sansa Stark on HBO series Game Of Thrones
Sophie is possibly best known for her part as Sansa Stark on HBO series Game Of Thrones -Credit:2019 Getty Images

"She ended up staying with me at mine, because I didn't want to be alone," she revealed. "The crew really held me through it, and I didn't ever come home alone at the end of the day."

The six-part series Joan was penned by Anna Symon, based on the real Joan Hannington's memoirs - titled I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain's Most Notorious Jewel Thief - and she was consulted during the writing process.

Known as The Godmother, Hannington was one of Britain's most infamous criminals who managed to steal millions of pounds worth of diamonds.

Sophie confessed that playing Hannington significantly changed her as a person. She added: "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."