Entertainment
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. TV & Radio
  4. Drama

Game of Thrones fans incredulous after Sansa Stark snubbed in Emmy nominations

Ebony Bowden

Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers below

Up Next

Replay

Replay Video Icon
Player help icon

More Entertainment Videos

More videos

Sansa Stark left out in the cold

Sophie Turner failed to receive an Emmy nomination for her role in Game of Thrones.

Sophie Turner's performance as Sansa Stark was praised as Emmy-worthy all year but the actress has failed to rate a mention at Friday's Emmy Award nominations.

Turner's character Sansa Stark held a central role in season six, becoming the head of her decimated family with half-brother Jon Snow. Kit Harrington, who plays Jon Snow, and Maisie Williams, who plays Sansa's younger sister Arya, were both nominated for best supporting actor and actress in a drama series, but Turner missed out.

Sansa Stark, seen here reuniting with brother Jon Snow, was one of the most important characters of <i>Game of ...
Sansa Stark, seen here reuniting with brother Jon Snow, was one of the most important characters of Game of Thrones season 6. Photo: HBO

Game of Thrones led the nominations, receiving 23 Emmy nods - including two for best supporting actor and three for best supporting actress. Outraged Game of Thrones fans went on Twitter to vent about what perceived was a major slight to 20-year-old Turner.

"Sophie Turner is the Leonardo DiCaprio of the Emmys except the only difference is she's never actually nominated," tweeted one fan. Others agreed Turner had been "screwed" and "robbed" while one fan said the fact Arya's smaller role had been recognised instead of Sansa's was "a joke".

Advertisement

Sansa's comeback in season six was monumental given her brutal rape at the hands of her husband Ramsay Bolton last season, which sparked international headlines and a fan backlash against the show.

The recent season saw Sansa kill Ramsay and take back her murdered family's kingdom of Winterfell along with Snow.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark with her sadistic husband Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon.
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark with her sadistic husband Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon. 

Vanity Fair also described Turner's snub as a "glaring omission" among the nominees list and questioned Maisie William's nomination.

..whereas the Starks are well disposed toward their tenants.
..whereas the Starks are well disposed toward their tenants. Photo: Macall B. Polay

"Arya's story line, in particular, was unpopular. Their nominations here, especially in light of Turner's incredibly mature and subtle work, are puzzling," critic Joanna Robinson wrote.

"I'd also argue that Jaime Lannister actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who, in the final three episodes of the season, did his best work in years, is a glaring omission."

On social media, fans said Turner's performance had been the best of season six and were incredulous that most of Turner's female co-stars had been nominated.

Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister, and Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen, were also recognised.

"I'm sorry but how was Sophie Turner the only #GOT lead lady not to get an Emmy nom [sic]? Sansa was probably the best character this year," asked one incredulous fan.

Turner was gracious about the snub, tweeting her congratulations to Williams and Harrington.

"My big brother and my little sister did me proud today" she wrote.

Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister, also received a best supporting actor nomination, a category he won both in 2015 and 2011.

The other most nominated programs were The People vs OJ Simpson with 22 nominations, Fargo (18), Veep (17), Saturday Night Live (16), House of Cards (13), The Night Manager (12), Silicon Valley (11) and Downton Abbey (10).

The 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards will air on September 18.

Advertisement