Here’s why one actor’s wish for a “cool death scene” didn’t make the cut in Game of Thrones

In a series as merciless as Game of Thrones, where heads rolled at random and characters disappeared in fire, requesting a "cool death scene" didn't appear to be too much to hope for. Indeed, that was the early aspiration for Sophie Turner, the actress who plays Sansa Stark. She envisioned going out with a bang, joining the ranks of iconic departures such as Oberyn Martell's or the Red Wedding victims.

Turner explained to The Wall Street Journal in March 2016, before season 6 began, that she hoped Sansa died, stating,

"If you're on Game of Thrones and you don't have a cool death scene, then what’s the point?"

But not all wishes come true in Westeros. As the years went by and the plot turned deeper into emotional complexity, Turner's interpretation of her character's fate evolved dramatically. What started as a wish for a flashy death turned into a thankfulness that Sansa, against all odds, survived until the last credits.

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Sophie Turner's early wish for a "cool death" in Game of Thrones

During Game of Thrones' peak popularity, Turner candidly expressed her wish to have a memorable on-screen death. With the show renowned for brutal endings, death was viewed by many of its cast members as a sort of rite of passage.

As frequently as central characters were brutally removed from the board, Turner's desire wasn't out of place. It practically went without saying that nobody, particularly not a Stark, was going to come out unscathed. Survival at that time didn't hold much allure.

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A shift in perspective

As the series progressed and Sansa's experience grew more dire, Turner's vision changed. The emotional toll of Sansa's experiences — from loss and betrayal to manipulation and abuse — rewrote what survival meant. Turner subsequently said she was relieved that Sansa did not die. Rather than dramatically meeting her demise, Sansa survived, adapted, and ultimately took her place as Queen in the North.

Looking back, Turner felt Sansa's fate was a significant departure from the trend of the show. Instead of being remembered for a blood-drenched final scene, her fate would be remembered for becoming stronger with each challenge she encountered.

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Sansa Stark's survival had narrative significance in Game of Thrones

Sansa's arc was never constructed for a tragic conclusion. Unlike so many characters who were employed to shock audiences or advance plot points, Sansa's arc was one of development. She started as a sheltered noblewoman and ended as a self-reliant, politically astute leader. That sort of development was uncommon in the universe of Game of Thrones, where character arcs were frequently truncated before complete development.

And in a show that's all about darkness, Sansa's serene conclusion felt intentional. Her survival wasn't about avoiding danger — it was about enduring it over and over again, and still deciding to lead with honor.

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Death isn't always the best exit

Though sensational Game of Thrones deaths become career highlights, they're not always the most satisfying. There have been a few actors who voiced the emotional toll and, in some cases, discontent that came with their last episodes. Turner's musings, however, implied that Sansa's ongoing survival at the series' conclusion had a greater impact than any dramatic departure could have.

It was also a unique type of storytelling in the series. Surviving — and thriving — was the true twist. Sansa's survival created a respite from the mayhem and reminded fans that survival could be as compelling as a sword battle or wildfire detonation.

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A rare ending in a brutal world of Game of Thrones

When the dust had settled on the contentious final season, Sansa's resolution was one of the better-received character conclusions. It was coherent, thematically appropriate, and emotionally resonant. Turner even imagined Sansa enjoying a long, quiet life as Queen in the North, which, in Game of Thrones terms, essentially amounts to a fairy tale.

In a world where death, exile, or destruction tended to be the usual endings, Sansa's future seemed exceptionally secure. And maybe that's why it's so memorable. Sophie Turner's shift in opinion — from hungering for a dramatic exit to valuing a rich, triumphant survival — was a testament to the very heart of Sansa's character transformation itself.

Also read: I totally admire the way Game of Thrones directed Sansa Stark's character arc (& honestly it came out of the blue)

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