SOPHIE TURNER

She was only 15 when she made her TV acting debut in 2011 as Sansa Stark on HBO’s fantasy-drama

Game of Thrones. Now Sophie Turner, 21, looks forward to season seven, premiering July 16, in which her character matures from a pawn into a major power player.

What can we expect this season?

There’s less feuding. Characters are coming together. There are alliances formed by people who haven’t met each other or haven’t seen each other in a long time.

Sansa’s had a tough life. What was the hardest scene for you to film?

The rape scene was pretty difficult. For obvious reasons, it was an uncomfortable day on set. But there are also little things. I remember in season . . . maybe three, I had to sing, and that was challenging—I’m a terrible singer and it was out of my comfort zone.

The end is coming: GOT will conclude after season eight. How does knowing that affect the feeling on the set? We’re all very much making the most of it. We don’t go home on the weekend as much. We stay, hang out and just enjoy being with each other for as long as we have.

You’re also returning to the role of telepathic mutant Jean Grey in next year’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix. What made Jean attractive to you?

I loved her vulnerability, that she wasn’t your typical superhero who was born with amazing powers and could do everything straightaway. She struggled with coming to terms with her power and unlocking it slowly but surely, and learning and developing over time.