Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner Says Sansa Stark Got a Perfect Ending 

Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner confessed about returning in a GOT Sequel as she is the only performer who is happy with season 8 ending

Published: January 7, 2026, 12:13 pm

Sophie Turner, who grew up on screen as Sansa Stark, recently confessed she felt like she was “one of the only” performers happy with her ending. Her point of view gives a fascinating look into why the finale worked for the Queen in the North, but froze pretty much everyone else. 

HBO has also released its Game of Thrones production calendar for years to come, with content scheduled yearly until 2028, including additional seasons of House of the Dragon and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. 

How Sansa Stark Become The Queen in the North

The Queen in the North

To know why Turner was happy, you have to see where Sansa started. She was just a pawn — a naive girl hoping for a fairytale wedding in the viper pit of King’s Landing. She was battered, bartered and brainwashed over eight seasons.

For Turner, Sansa’s ending wasn’t about power; it was about safety. The actress has stated that 

Sansa ceased wanting that throne once she saw the poison that came with it. Her journey was about taking back her home, not taking over the world. 

One moment in the finale that stuck out for Turner was when Sansa interrupts her uncle Edmure with a biting “Uncle, please sit down,” that moment was a standout for Turner. It was a woman who was finished with the posturing of men who played war games as her people starved and froze. Sansa winning Northern independence made sense. It was, as Turner said, “earned.”  

The Most Heartbreaking Game of Thrones Character Reactions

However, Turner’s happiness makes the desperation of the other characters quite serious. If Sansa’s outcome was a straight line, everyone else’s was a scribble.

Emilia Clarke Get Shock When Daenerys’ Ending Felt Like a Betrayal

Game of Thrones Character Heartbreaking Reactions

The most heartbreaking response belongs to Emilia Clarke. When she was handed the scripts at Heathrow airport, she didn’t just read them but she went into a crisis. Clarke remembers walking around London for five hours – 

“I had blisters on my feet”

— Clarke said 

She also acknowledged that her character, a feminist icon and liberator, could become a genocidal tyrant within just a couple of episodes is a shock. Clarke’s fear extended beyond the character herself to the fans (and icons like Beyoncé) who find inspiration and strength in Daenerys. 

Conleth Hill and the Fall of Varys

Then there was Conleth Hill (Varys). Through the documentary The Last Watch you can track the moment his soul seems to vacate his body. Varys, the Master of Whispers, was executed for a botched, brazen betrayal that ran counter to his character’s intelligence. Hill confessed to being “inconsolable”, as he thought his character had been made “peripheral” and dumb. 

GOT Season 8

Isaac Hempstead Wright Thought That Script Was a Prank

Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark) didn’t feel pride when he read that Bran would become King, he thought it was a prank. He genuinely believed that showrunners had sent fake scripts to everyone in which the characters each took the throne to see who would leak it. That response is indicative of the confusion among the audience – if the actor believes it’s a joke, the story build-up clearly wasn’t there.  

Kit Harington on Burnout in GOT Season 8 Making

Kit Harington (Jon Snow) has admitted that the cast was “f—ing exhausted.” The final season was 11 months in the making. The “Long Night” battle required 55 nights of shooting in a row in freezing mud. When all was said and done, the actors were physically and emotionally drained. They did not have the strength to question character logic, they just wanted to make it out of production. 

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Sophie Turner’s Satisfaction Says Everything

The Direct had the chance to talk to Sophie Turner while on a press tour for Amazon Prime Video’s Steal, and of course, the subject of Game of Thrones came up. When asked if she would be interested in reprising her role as Sansa Stark in an HBO sequel, Turner was torn, commenting on how it “would be really hard but also incredible:” 

Sophie Turner’s satisfaction is valid because Sansa’s storyline’s one of the few that endures scrutiny of her choices. But her confession that “nobody else was really happy” just confirms what we have all suspected. The Game of Thrones cast didn’t blow us away in the finale – they left us utterly split, the audience confused, and a Queen in the North who is definitely feeling herself. 

Turner didn’t rule out a return in an HBO follow-up at all, by telling she’d have to read the script before making any decisions.

“Coming back could be either a really joyful thing or you’re trying to recapture something special that maybe isn’t there to be recaptured — and for me, that all comes down to the strength of the script,”

she said

Some Game of Thrones Endings Still Hurt

Game of Thrones Endings Still Hurt

The contrast is stark. The Starks “won”—Sansa got the North, Arya got freedom, Bran got the world but morally ambiguous characters like Jaime Lannister and Daenerys were reduced to tropes. Seasoned actors like Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister) waited on the sidelines, bewildered as the show’s intricate political chess became checkers.

Conclusion 

Sophie Turner’s satisfaction was never about being first but it was about what makes the best storytelling. Sansa Stark was all about survival, evolving and steely resilience. She wasn’t after glory, she reclaimed her home. Then she was Queen in the North, the ending felt earned.

That much clarity simply highlighted how inconsistent the rest of the finale was. Daenerys’ precipitous descent, Varys’ errors in judgment, Bran’s meteoric ascent, and Jon Snow’s impasse as a romantic lead left not just fans, but actors, discombobulated.

Game of Thrones didn’t collapse — it broke. And in that broken ending, Sansa Stark was still one of the few characters whose story actually made sense. 

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Surviving Black Hawk Down: Where Are Survivors Now and How Somali Citizens Remember the Battle?

Discover the true stories of Black Hawk Down survivors and how Somali citizens remember the 1993 battle that changed history. Watch Netflix’s documentary.

Written by: Emma
Published: February 25, 2025, 6:07 am

In 1993, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mogadishu. An intense 18-hour battle followed. Eighteen American soldiers died. Over 300 Somalis lost their lives. The battle changed history. The movie Black Hawk Down is based on this real event. Survivors have shared their true stories.

Netflix’s Surviving Black Hawk Down was released on Feb. 10. The documentary gives survivors a voice. Chief Warrant Officer Michael Durant was captured. “They chained me up,” he recalled. He thought death was near.

On Oct. 3, 1993, a U.S. task force entered Mogadishu. Their mission was to capture two Somali National Alliance leaders. The United Nations blamed these leaders for an ambush. That attack had killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers.

What seemed like a quick mission turned into chaos. Eighteen U.S. soldiers died. Eighty-four were wounded. Somali leaders said 312 militiamen and citizens died. Around 814 others suffered injuries.

Netflix’s Surviving Black Hawk Down features real testimonials. Soldiers, civilians, and former enemies share their experiences. Now, where are the survivors today? Here’s everything we know about them.

What Happened During the Battle of Mogadishu?

The 1993 Battle of Mogadishu was a deadly fight. People also call it the Black Hawk Down incident. The U.S. military went to Somalia. Their mission was to capture top leaders of Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s group.

They expected a quick mission. But everything went wrong. Somali fighters shot down two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters. The soldiers inside were trapped. U.S. forces rushed to save them. A fierce 18-hour battle began.

What Happened During the Battle of Mogadishu?
Image Credit: The Independent

The American soldiers were surrounded. They faced heavy gunfire. Somali fighters outnumbered them. Civilians were caught in the crossfire. The battle ended with heavy losses. Eighteen American soldiers died. Hundreds of Somalis were killed. Many more were injured.

Author Mark Bowden wrote about this battle. His 1999 book, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, became famous. Director Ridley Scott turned it into a 2001 film. Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor starred. The movie won two Academy Awards.

Who Was Mohamed Farrah Aidid?

Mohamed Farrah Aidid was a Somali military officer. In the early 1990s, he helped remove dictator Mohamed Siad Barre from power. After that, Somalia fell into a civil war. Rival groups fought to control the country.

Aidid led one of these groups, the Somali National Alliance (SNA). The United Nations blamed Aidid for violent attacks. One major attack happened in June 1993. His forces ambushed Pakistani peacekeepers. Many soldiers died.

The U.N. and the U.S. decided to target Aidid. They said they wanted to bring democracy to Somalia. One mission led to the Black Hawk Down incident. U.S. troops planned to capture two of Aidid’s top men. They received intelligence about a meeting in Mogadishu.

They sent soldiers and helicopters. But Somali fighters shot down two Black Hawk helicopters. A brutal 18-hour battle followed. Many soldiers died. Aidid survived this battle. He remained in power. In 1996, he suffered a heart attack and died.

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Who is Michael Durant?

Michael Durant was a U.S. Army pilot. He flew one of the Black Hawk helicopters shot down by Somali fighters. He survived the crash. He fought on the ground with Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart and Master Sergeant Gary Gordon.

The battle became more intense. Both soldiers died while defending Durant. Somali fighters captured him. He remained a prisoner for 11 days. Aidid later agreed to release him.

Who is Michael Durant
Image Credit: People.com

Durant suffered serious injuries. He had a gunshot wound. His leg, back, and eye socket were broken. His captors gave him medical care. When released, he was handed over to American soldiers. Doctors said he would fully recover.

The 2001 film Black Hawk Down told his story. Actor Ron Eldard played Durant in the movie.

How Many Soldiers Died During the Battle of Mogadishu?

Eighteen U.S. soldiers died in the Battle of Mogadishu. Many more were injured. Delta Force veteran Tom Satterly shared his experience in Surviving Black Hawk Down.

He described the chaos. “The heat hits you. You’re sweating. Sand sticks to everything. Everybody’s against us,” he said. He believed in his mission. “We’re the good guys. We’re America. We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t right.”

The battle was brutal. Eighty-four U.S. soldiers suffered injuries. The experience changed their lives forever.

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How Many Somalis Died During the Battle of Mogadishu?

The Black Hawk Down incident caused heavy Somali casualties. Leaders first estimated that 312 people died. Later, Mark Bowden reported a higher number. He wrote that over 500 Somalis had been killed. More than 800 others suffered injuries.

Binti Ali Wardhere shared her painful experience. In Surviving Black Hawk Down, she told BBC about the attack. A shell hit her house and partially severed her hand. Her husband, Mohamed Aden, died in the battle. Two of her sons, Abdulkadir and Abdurahman, were also killed. Four of her other children suffered injuries. One of them lost his sight forever.

Binti blamed American forces. “They destroyed my house. They killed my husband, my two sons, and my brother. They left my family in misery,” she said. She demanded justice. “At the very least, they must admit what they have done and compensate us.”

Cameraman Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, also called Ahmed Five, documented the battle. He recorded the destruction in Mogadishu. His footage helped people outside Somalia see the impact of the mission. The images sparked criticism of U.S. involvement.

Ahmed later spoke about Surviving Black Hawk Down. He told BBC, “This time, Somalis had the chance to share their story. It is crucial to tell both sides.” His work gave Somali voices a platform. Many believed their side had been ignored for too long.

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Where Are the Black Hawk Down Survivors?

Newly elected President Bill Clinton ordered U.S. troops to leave Somalia by 1994. But the civil war in Somalia continued for decades. Smithsonian Magazine reported this.

Maj. Gen. William Garrison accepted full responsibility for the incident. He wrote a letter to President Clinton. The New York Times reported this. His military career ended after that. He retired in 1996. He moved to a farm in Hico, Texas. The Daily Beast said he never gave an interview about the battle.

Many surviving U.S. soldiers continued serving in the Army. Michael Durant flew more missions. He retired in 2001. Later, he became the CEO of an aviation training company. In 2022, he ran for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. He sought the Republican nomination but lost. ABC News reported this.

Other veterans chose different careers. Tom Satterly started a nonprofit to help Special Operations soldiers and their families. Brad Thomas became a musician. He plays guitar and writes songs for a grunge band called Silence & Light.

Where Are the Black Hawk Down Survivors?
Image Credit: People.com

Larry Perino now works as an associate vice president at Navy Federal Credit Union. Despite moving forward, they still struggle. The soldiers in Surviving Black Hawk Down shared their battles with trauma. The violence they saw still affects them.

David Diemer, a former Army Ranger, spoke about this. He now owns a security company. “You gotta separate it in your mind,” he said. “I don’t know. Maybe someday I’ll go crazy. I have no idea. But you know, it was my job.”

Former Somali militia members felt the same way. But for them, the loss felt even worse. “For Americans, October 3rd is tragic,” said Yasin Dheere. He was a member of the Aidid militia. “For us, it was a dark moment.”

He still struggles with the memories. “When I think about it, my head starts hurting,” he said. “It left me with a grudge and pain.” Mogadishu residents also still suffer from the battle’s effects.

“Dying is one thing,” said Binti Adan in Surviving Black Hawk Down. “But my daughter being blind hurts my stomach. She lost her home in the battle. It was just a battlefield to them,” she said. “It was a home to me.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. What happened during the Battle of Mogadishu?

The 1993 battle, also called Black Hawk Down, was an 18-hour fight after Somali fighters shot down two U.S. helicopters. Eighteen U.S. soldiers and hundreds of Somalis died.

Q.2. was Mohamed Farrah Aidid?

Aidid was a Somali warlord leading the Somali National Alliance. He was targeted by the U.S. for attacks on peacekeepers and died in 1996 after a heart attack.

Q.3. What happened to Michael Durant?

Durant, a U.S. pilot, was captured after his Black Hawk was shot down. He was held for 11 days before being released and later retired in 2001.

Q.4. How many people died in the Black Hawk Down incident?

Eighteen U.S. soldiers and over 500 Somalis died, with more than 800 others injured in the intense urban battle.

 

Emma

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Emma Miller is an entertainment enthusiast who is focusing on crafting storytelling blogs across all genres. Her special focus is build up around superheroes, thrillers, & historical dramas and movies. Her experience of delivering sharp review analysis and interview podcasts is helping fans to get transparency about their favorite cinema.

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Everything We Know About A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Till Now

All you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the HBO miniseries- including the release date, cast, episodes, plot, timeline and where to stream.

Written by: Babita
Published: February 6, 2026, 12:47 pm
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The anticipation for the Dance of the Dragons to ember up again is quite real. HBO is bringing us back to Westeros for something quieter, cozier and delightfully, disarmingly different. Suspend the bloodthirsty politics of King’s Landing and the impending doomsday. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms turns down the spectacle level and turns up the soul, swapping thrones and prophecies for dusty roads, tavern fare and the relationship between a travelling knight and his sharp-tongued squire.

It’s smaller in scope but bigger in heart—it’s an intimate, endearing, and perfectly timed reminder that you don’t always need dragons to spin a great tale in Westeros. 

Release Schedule & Availability

If you can’t wait to get your grimy Westeros fix without dragons hogging all the attention, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is your next binge. This HBO gem began airing on January 18, 2026, and believe me, it’s already got everyone talking—especially now that we’re half-way through the season on February 5. 

Episode Release Date on HBO/Max
1 18/Jan/2026
2 25/Jan
3 1/Feb 
4 8/Feb 
5 15/Feb 
6 22/Feb

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Genre and Theme 

Though Game of Thrones was a high fantasy political epic and House of the Dragon is a Shakespearean family tragedy, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms plays in the Adventure/Buddy Comedy genre wrapped in the grimdark medieval world.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Genre and Theme

  • Background: The storyline is set about 70–80 years after the events of House of the Dragon and 90 years prior to the events of the original series. The last dragons are becoming myth, and the Targaryens remain proudly perched on the Iron Throne. 
  • Themes: At its core, that’s a story about chivalry. what it really takes to be a “true knight” in a culture that is often mean, unfair and decidedly un-knightly. It’s a look at the master/student relationship, and the secret & apparent nobility of ordinary existence. 

Director, Writer & Creative Team

As writer and executive producer, George R.R. Martin keeps the “Dunk and Egg” novella spirit alive.

  • Showrunner/Lead Writer: Ira Parker (House of the Dragon) is at the helm.
  • Talent Behind Camera: Owen Harris (the classic Black Mirror episode “San Junipero”) is among the identified directors for a number of episodes as well as the pilot. Given his involvement, they are likely a more character-driven, moody visual style, as opposed to the epic, giant army episodes of the previous series.
  • Executive Producer: Ryan Condal (House Of The Dragon showrunner), Vince Gerardis also confer to bring consistency to the “Westeros Cinematic Universe.” 

Plot Overview: The Hedge Knight’s Tale

“The Hedge Knight,” the first novella, was the basis for Season 1. He is Ser Duncan the Tall, a huge, lumbering “hedge knight“—a knight who has no lord and has no fixed abode.

Dunk elects to enter a tournament at Ashford Meadow to win a little money and maybe some honor following the death of his lord. There, too, he meets Egg, a baleful, fiery, childish monk who persists in trying to be his squire. 

The Hedge Knight’s Tale

What is a simple quest to win a tournament for glory soon becomes one of the biggest political scandals of the time. Dunk, through a series of interactions, also accidentally ends up at odds with several Targaryen prince’s, precipitating a trial by combat that will alter the course of Westerosi history. Unlike the existential stakes of all these other series, the ”conflict” is intensely personal, and operating within the laws of the land. 

Cast & Characters

Character Actor Description
Ser Duncan the Tall Peter Claffey A former rugby player standing at 6’5″, Claffey embodies Dunk’s physical prowess and “thick as a castle wall” sincerity.
Egg Dexter Sol Ansell The enigmatic, bald squire, who has a quick wit and a concealed lineage, is played by the 9-year-old breakout star. 
Aerion Targaryen Finn Bennett The ruthless and prideful prince who acts as the main antagonist of season 1. 
Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen Bertie Carvel The finest of the Targaryen line is the noble Hand of the King and heir to the throne. 

Collab and Key Points of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The small-scale is one of the most exhilarating parts of this production. There are no giant dragon battles (yet), so the money bags are going toward costume design, practical sets, and good writing.

The producers and George R.R. Martin is said to have been very hands-on. Fans are especially enthusiastic for the “Trial of Seven,” a peculiar aspect of Westerosi justice in which fourteen knights battle at once. This scene’s choreography has been a significant technical achievement for the production and should give us a form of battle we haven’t seen in the franchise before.  

Production Details

Production was based mostly in Northern Ireland, returning to the “home” of the original Game of Thrones series. This series, however, has the advantage of a more centralized production, giving it a cohesive, rustic look as opposed to the multi-country shoots of House of the Dragon (Spain, Portugal, UK).

Production Details

The series is anticipated to be six episodes in length for season one. This recipe for fewer episodes likely means a lean, focused narrative without the “filler” that’s so common in today’s streaming series. 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Rating & Certification

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has a TV-MA rating for its depiction of violence, language, sexual content and subject matter—standard HBO grittiness, nothing you’d want your kids to see. It’s rated 18+ in such countries as Argentina, Ireland and Canada (18+), with the likes of MA15+ (Australia, New Zealand) and 16 (Germany/Finland) equivalents. 

Critical Acclaim

Critics adore its fresh, character-driven version of Westeros, garnering a 90%+ on Rotten Tomatoes – the highest first-season score in the Thrones franchise, outranking Game of Thrones (89%) and House of the Dragon (87%). 

Critical Acclaim

User reviews from Metacritic have similar scores with an average of about 8/10, citing strong leads, chemistry, and wholesome heroism even with the slower pace. 

Audience Buzz

Viewers are divided: 72-77% on Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter, with Episode 1 at 8.5/10 on IMDb, many enjoy the lighter tone and heart of the show, but some complain about the lack of big battles, slow pacing, or toilet humor. It’s dominated the HBO Max rankings, showing Martin’s world continues to reign. 

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Distribution & Platform Details

If you’re wondering where to see A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it’s HBO’s gem — streaming only on HBO and Max globally, with convenient add-ons for your favorite e-tailers. To date, all four episodes are out and you can watch them on February 5, 2026. 

Region-Wise Streaming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Country Main Platforms Details 
US HBO, Max (standalone or via Prime/YouTube TV) 10 PM ET Sundays; free trials via YouTube TV
UK Sky Atlantic, NOW Early AM GMT; bundles from £15/month
India JioHotstar Next day at 8:30 AM IST; recharge with ₹149/month plan to get access
Canada Crave HBO add-on available
Australia Max/Foxtel AU$11.99+/month, next-day drops

Conclusion

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a welcome change of air for the World of Ice and Fire. It is the tale of the smallfolk, the honorable defeated, and the flashes of sudden valor that take place leagues beneath the Red Keep. Whether you’re a devoted reader who’s been longing for two decades to see “Dunk and Egg” brought to the screen or a casual fan looking for another adventure, this series looks like it will be a journey well worth taking. 

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Babita

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Babita is Fandomfans Editor, experience in managing content. Her focus in general movies and web series. She is having a deep interest in TV shows and 90s movies - particularly Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, & Rom-Com. Babita also covers psychological thrillers and major releases in current time and concern with deep interest in them.

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