While reflecting on the HBO phenomenon and the performers who helped define it, the actor reserved some of his strongest praise for Sophie Turner, who played Sansa Stark throughout the show’s eight-season run.
Peter Dinklage Reflects on Sophie Turner’s Standout Performance
Looking back on the ensemble that turned “Game of Thrones” into a global television event, Dinklage did not hesitate when discussing Turner’s contribution to the series. “She was I think the greatest actress on this f****ng show,” he said, before recalling the level of preparation she consistently brought to set. “She was always so prepared.”
The compliment carried extra weight given the arc Turner was tasked with portraying. Introduced as the sheltered eldest Stark daughter dreaming of courtly romance, Sansa gradually became one of the most politically savvy figures in Westeros. Across the show, the character endured betrayals, captivity, public humiliation, family tragedy, and multiple shifts in power before ultimately being crowned Queen in the North.
Dinklage also pointed to the challenges built into the role itself. “And that was such a difficult part,” he remarked, acknowledging the complexity of a character whose evolution spanned nearly every major chapter of the story. Unlike many of the warriors and rulers, Sansa’s journey was largely defined by survival, adaptation, and strategic growth.
Turner joined “Game of Thrones” as a teenager and remained a central figure until the series concluded in 2019. Over the years, her performance earned increasing recognition, culminating in an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the show’s final season. She was also part of the cast’s multiple Screen Actors Guild Award ensemble nominations.