Of all the character on HBO's epic sprawling fantasy series "Game of Thrones," no one deserves a hug more than Sansa Stark. Since the show began in 2010, Sansa has dealt with a litany of tragedies including the deaths of several family members and her torment at the hands of her psychotic husband Ramsay Bolton. Although season five's brutal wedding night marked yet another low point for the character, Sansa has been gathering strength for the better part of two seasons now.
First introduced to viewers as a timid, naïve young girl who didn't understand how the world worked (and couldn't survive the harsh reality), Sansa has slowly become a crafty manipulator and brave beacon of determination in the otherwise grim world of "Game of Thrones." Her evolution as a character has not gone unnoticed.
"I've had more people saying, 'You're my favorite character' than ever before, which is amazing, because I used to get 'You're my least favorite character," Turner said.
The 20-year-old actress, who will star as Jean Grey in May's "X-Men: Apocalypse," was forced to endure the shortsightedness of fans early on just as Sansa was forced to endure the punishment of others.
"A lot of fans who recognize me go, 'I kind of hate you,'" Turner said back in Season 3. "And I'm all, 'Cool, well, you've just made this sufficiently awkward.'"
However, heading into season 6, it sounds as if Sansa will fully embrace her inner strength and take that leap forward that viewers have wanted to see for so long.
"She's definitely got a fan base now, and they're rallying behind her," Turner said. "Finally people see Sansa how I see her."
When last we saw Turner's character, she had leapt from the walls of Winterfell to escape Ramsay and must now figure out how to guarantee her own safety and take back her home.
"Sophie really delivers this season," showrunner Dan Weiss said. "She's an extremely phenomenal actor, and this year she gets to go to places she's never gone."
This sentiment was echoed by writer-producer Bryan Cogman: "I'm very excited by where Sansa's storyline is going this season, and I think Sophie is doing the best work she's ever done in season 6."
Turner could barely hide her happiness over Sansa's upcoming character arc.
"This is the season I'm most excited for. Sansa's coming into her own and standing up for herself."
Fans will finally be able to see the new Sansa when "Game of Thrones" returns to HBO for its sixth season on Sunday, April 24. Maybe by then, Sansa will no longer need that hug.
Follow Brandon Katz on Twitter at @Great_Katzby
