Game of Thrones star shocked by fan backlash Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark on HBO's Game of Thrones, says fans are not backward in coming forward about their hatred for her character. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Turner says the backlash was unexpected. At first it kind of came as a shock because people didn't like Sansa; she isn't a fan favourite. A lot of fans that recognise me go, 'I kind of hate you,' ... I thought I was being personally attacked ... it was all new to me. Sophie Turner believes Sansa is actually a "kick arse" character. Turner believes the dislike for her character stems from the books the series is based on, the Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R R Martin. In the novels her character has a more pivotal role in the murder of her father, the much-loved Ned Stark. Turner has since learned to take a different spin on the negative reactions. "[Sansa's] the least favourite in the books so I guess I'm doing my job if I'm the least favourite in the show," she said. The highly anticipated series three airs in Australia on Monday, 1 April on Showcase.