Sophie Turner has honestly admitted that being a single mother is a ‘struggle’ after her divorce from Joe Jonas.
The Game Of Thrones actress, 28, spoke in a new interview ahead of her new six-part crime series Joan airing on Sunday night, in which she portrays the real Joan ‘The Godmother’ Hannington.
On September 11, it was reported that Sophie and her estranged husband Joe Jonas, 35, of the Jonas Brothers, had finally finalized their year-long divorce.
The proceedings were delayed by an intense conflict between the two over custody agreements for their children, daughters Willa, four, and Delphine, two.
Sophie became Instagram official on Monday with her boyfriend, aristocrat Peregrine Pearson, delighting fans. She married Joe in 2019.
Sophie Turner has honestly admitted that being a single mother is a ‘struggle’ after her divorce from Joe Jonas
The Game Of Thrones actress, 28, spoke in a new interview ahead of her new six-part crime series Joan airing on Sunday night, in which she portrays the real Joan ‘The Godmother’ Hannington
About her new role as mother Joan, Sophie told The times: ‘Joan has changed me a lot. Out of total desperation comes so much will and ambition.
‘The series came at a time in my life where I had to be ambitious and have such a strong will and fight against the forces. She has given me a lot of strength.
“If I hadn’t been a mother, I don’t know if I could have put the same energy into it as I do. It’s such a struggle being a single mother.’
Earlier this week, Sophie admitted she got ‘carried away’ by emotions while filming ITV’s Joan, after kicking off work on the series during her split from Joe.
The series follows Joan’s journey from housewife and mother, to small-time offender, to diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London.
At a press conference about the show, Sophie explained that she had no problem turning on the water, saying: “I’m a Pisces, I’m emotional.”
Speaking about her new role as mother Joan, Sophie said: ‘She’s so funny, but she’s been through so much trauma and is so ambitious.
‘There really is so much to her: mother, lover, liar, thief. It’s special that it’s all a true story.’
Speaking about her new role as mother Joan, Sophie told The Times: ‘Joan has changed me quite a bit. Out of total desperation comes so much will and ambition. It’s such a struggle being a single mother’
The series follows Joan’s journey from housewife and mother, to small-time offender, to diamond thief and criminal mastermind in 1980s London.
The drama follows Joan as she escapes her abusive husband, but must accommodate her daughter once she gets back on her feet.
With no money and nowhere to live, she manages to get a job at a jeweler, where she steals her first diamonds.
Her life takes a turn for the better when she meets antique dealer Boisie, played by Harry Potter actor Frank Dillane, who takes her on as a partner in crime.
Sophie also said about tapping into her emotions: “And I’m a mother, so everything to do with children just pours out. I think when you do a show like that and there are diamonds and glamour, sometimes you get carried away by it.”
“You have to remember that this is to provide her daughter with a solid and stable life so that she can get her back. And it really is a heartbreaking story.”
Sophie said of Frank: ‘We have become very close through this. It was imperative that we had a good relationship and I think artistically I fell a little bit in love with Frank because the way he works is so fascinating. I found myself relying on him for a lot of things, the kind of emotional things.
Frank says the feeling was mutual. “Sophie is so easy to love,” he says. ‘I liked it so much.’
Sophie spent three weeks listening to Wham, ABC, The Pretenders and Bucks Fizz to get into the ’80s character. Writer Anna Symon says the drama is all based on Joan’s 2002 memoir, I Am What I Am.
Sophie and Joe’s divorce was prolonged by their custody battle over their two children: daughters Willa, four, and Delphine, two, but was recently finalized
Joan said: ‘I was fascinated. She is such a complex and extraordinary woman, vulnerable and strong. She makes terrible choices, but is someone people can relate to.”
Now that she’s stopped stealing, the real Joan Hannington was thrilled with Sophie’s portrayal. Speaking at a launch event in London with her son Benny, she said: ‘I’m a bit jealous [of Sophie]she is slimmer and younger.
“They couldn’t have gotten anyone better, so kudos to them. I hope they get the recognition they deserve.’
Joan starts on Sunday September 29 on ITV1 and ITVX