Sophie Turner looks totally unrecognisable in new TV role

She's known for playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones

Sophie Turner
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 19th May 2023

Sophie Turner made her acting debut as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones between 2011 and 2019, and went on to receive several award nominations for her role.

Following her departure from Game of Thrones she's appeared in several film and TV roles, including Margaret Ratliff in the Staircase and Jean Grey/Phoenix in Dark Phoenix.

However, now the actress' latest role has been revealed along with a huge transformation. Sophie is set to appear in a new six-part drama called Joan, where she plays the title role.

The series follows the life of notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington, a lady in her 20s who is deeply 'scarred and vulnerable'. In the first-look photo shared by ITV, Sophie can be seen swapping her dark brown hair for bleached blonde hair, dressed in 80s clothes, from the era the series is set.

Frank Dillane and Sophie Turner in Joan

Pictured next to her is her Game of Thrones co-star's son, Frank Dillane, who plays a London antique dealer called Boisie.

The series, which has been commissioned by ITVX, will see Sophie star alongside Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), Kirsty J. Curtis (Match Not Found), and Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Top Boy).

No release date for the new series has been announced yet, however filming has already started in Herne Bay, before they continue in locations in and around Birmingham and the Midlands.

Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked in season 1 vs. season 8:

Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 1

Kit Harington plays the broody Jon Snow - illegitimate son of Ned Stark... Or so we thought. Kit was 25-years-old when he took on the role of Jon Snow, and despite being from London, was able to do a pretty passable Northern accent.

Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 8

Now, Kit is 32-years-old and married to former co-star Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte - his character's former love. Did anyone else's heart actually break when she died? No? Just us? Sob.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 1

Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Jaime Lannister was a bit of an arrogant weirdo in the first season - not only was he having an affair with his actual twin sister, but he was just an all-round not nice guy.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 8

Fast forward to season 8, and fans are seriously conflicted over Jaime. On the one hand, he's still in a relationship with his twin sister. On the other hand, he seems to be a much better person than he was in season 1... Other than that, he's aged like a fine, fine wine.

Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 1

The aforementioned sister of Jaime is an absolute nutcase. In season 1, it seemed as though Cersei was just fiercely determined to stay on the throne and make her father Tywin proud.

Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 8

However, by the time we got to the penultimate season, Cersei has gone a little more mad than before. Probably on account of being locked in a tower for months on end and tortured, before being forced to walk naked through the streets. She looks so normal in real life!

Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 1

Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen began life on the show as a meek young girl at her elder brother's beck and call, when Emilia was 25-years-old.

Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 8

However, after much hardship and a lot of learning - as well as a couple of dragons under her belt - Daenerys is now basically taking on the world as she battles for the Iron Throne.

Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 1

Sophie Turner was just 15-years-old when she began starring in Game of Thrones. Her character, Sansa, was quite simply an annoying little girl to begin with, and her obsession with Joffrey was hard to watch.

Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 8

Now 23 - and engaged to none other than Joe Jonas - Sophie has blossomed into a fantastic actress with a lead role in upcoming X-Men films. As Sansa has also been through a pretty rough time, viewers have warmed more to her than before, and she's also a frontrunner in the race for the crown.

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 1

Sophie's younger on-screen sister Maisie has possibly undergone the biggest transformation - but that's not hard when she started life on the set at the age of just 13!

Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 8

Maisie is now a hugely accomplished actress, and the growth of her character is a testament to how much her skills have come on during her time on the show. Plus, we are loving the pink hair!

Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 1

Singer Lily Allen's brother Alfie has starred as Theon Greyjoy throughout the series. Theon started out as a disillusioned member of the Stark family, having been raised by them after a battle with own family saw him accepted as the Stark's ward.

Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 8

Although he was an arrogant character, he certainly didn't deserve all the torture that befell him thanks to the twisted Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon.

Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 1

Isaac was just 12-years-old when he took on the role of Bran Stark, and whose actions acted as a catalyst for the whole upheaval, really. If he hadn't have been climbing up the tower, he wouldn't have seen Cersei and Jaime together - they wouldn't have pushed him and basically, everything wouldn't have kicked off.

Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 8

Now, he's 19, and Bran has become the Three-Eyed Raven, shedding his former identity and taking on the role of the all-seeing, all-knowing being. There are even whispers that he might secretly be the Night King somehow, but that remains to be seen.

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 1

Tyrion started life on the show as a near-alcoholic philanderer with a penchant for visiting brothels. When he was accused of killing his nephew, Joffrey Baratheon, he fled Westeros and was captured by Ser Jorah Mormont.

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 8

Then, he was taken to Daenerys Targaryen and vowed to assist her on her quest to reclaim the throne, as her father had been the last true king.

John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 1

Samwell Tarly is probably one of the nicest characters on the show, having been taken under the wing of Jon Snow when both boys joined the Night's Watch together.

John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 8

Since then, he's fallen in love with Gilly, become adoptive father to her baby and even killed a White Walker - something unheard of in their time.

Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 2

Melisandre joined the show in Season 2, played by Dutch actress Carice van Houten. The character started on the show utterly convinced that Stannis Baratheon was meant to be king, but after he was killed she became a bit lost.

Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 8

She's now joined the side of Daenerys Targaryen, and is helping her in her fight to return her family's name to the throne.

Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 1

Former Skins actor Joe plays Gendry the blacksmith in Game of Thrones, the secret son of King Robert Baratheon, who was unfortunately killed in the first season.

Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 8

Gendry has been avoiding capture since then, especially with the help of Ser Davos Seaworth, and has now joined Team Targaryen.

Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 2

Joe's fellow Skins co-star Hannah Murray is also part of the cast, playing Gilly, daughter and wife of the horrible Craster, who thankfully gets killed. She escapes with her son/brother, and befriends Samwell Tarly.

Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 8

Romantic feelings have, of course, developed between Samwell and Gilly, and now they're quite in love and are co-parenting her baby/brother together.

Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 2

Gwendoline Christie's character Brienne of Tarth is an absolute icon. Not only does she refuse to be held to anyone else's standards, but she also kicks some serious butt.

Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 8

Since her first appearance in Season 2, Brienne has now sworn fealty to Sansa Stark, fallen in love with Jaime Lannister and is also fighting off the advances of wildling Tormund Giantsbane.

Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 3

Former Hollyoaks actress Nathalie Emmanuel has been playing the character of Missandei since 2013. Missandei was originally a slave who acted as a translator for her previous owner, Kraznys, before Daenerys freed her and she chose to serve her instead.

Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 8

Missandei is now Daenerys' most trusted advisor, friend and also a lover of Grey Worm.

Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 3

Jacob Anderson plays Grey Worm, captain of the Unsullied army in Game of Thrones, but he also makes music under the name Raleigh Ritchie.

Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 8

Grey Worm initially couldn't speak any other language, both has slowly been learning with the help of his now-lover, Missandei and is completely devoted to working for Daenerys.

Now read:

All of the TV shows getting a reboot in 2023

Trailer for new The Full Monty series drops starring original cast

First look at Vera series 13 as filming begins

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.