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Sophie Turner defends rape scenes in “Game of Thrones”

game of Thrones The success of “The 4000” is based on the unsparing depiction of brutal violence and explicit sex scenes.

But a sex scene in season 5, in which Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) is raped by her new husband Ramsay Snow (Iwan Rheon) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) has to watch, sparked outrage among viewers.

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.  Source: HBOSophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.  Source: HBO

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. Source: HBO

At the time, fans of the show claimed that the series went too far in its depiction of sexual assault, and some even threatened to boycott and cancel the series.

Her character had to endure a lot of violence during the series' run. Source: HBOHer character had to endure a lot of violence during the series' run. Source: HBO

Her character had to endure a lot of violence during the series’ run. Source: HBO

Now game of Thrones Star Sophie has spoken out in defense of the scenes in a recent interview with The times.

21-year-old Sophie has spoken out about the brutal rape scenes in the series. Source: Getty21-year-old Sophie has spoken out about the brutal rape scenes in the series. Source: Getty

21-year-old Sophie has spoken out about the brutal rape scenes in the series. Source: Getty

“I shot the scene and afterwards there was a huge uproar that we would show something like that on television. My first reaction was that maybe we shouldn’t have shown it at all,” she admits.

Sansa was raped by Ramsay and Theon (in the background) had to watch. Source: HBOSansa was raped by Ramsay and Theon (in the background) had to watch. Source: HBO

Sansa was raped by Ramsay and Theon (in the background) had to watch. Source: HBO

The star, who auditioned for the series at the age of 12 and filmed the first season at the age of 15, admits that she was “naive” about sexual harassment at the time of filming because she didn’t know anyone who had been affected by it off camera.

But the 21-year-old said The times that she is now convinced that this was an important topic that needed to be addressed in the show.

Ramsay rips Sansa's fur jacket off her body. Source: HBORamsay rips Sansa's fur jacket off her body. Source: HBO

Ramsay rips Sansa’s fur jacket off her body. Source: HBO

“The more we talk about sexual assault, the better. And fuck the people who say we shouldn’t show it on TV, and fuck the people who say they’re going to boycott the show because of it,” she says.

Ramsay was a particularly brutal villain. Source: HBORamsay was a particularly brutal villain. Source: HBO

Ramsay was a particularly brutal villain. Source: HBO

“Things like this have happened in the past and still happen today. And if we treat it as such a taboo and expensive subject, how are people supposed to have the strength to come forward and say without hesitation that this has happened to them?”

Sophie now believes it was important to portray these scenes. Source: HBOSophie now believes it was important to portray these scenes. Source: HBO

Sophie now believes it was important to portray these scenes. Source: HBO

The star also talked about how working on the raunchy show was an educational experience for her.

“The first time I learned about oral sex was when I read the script. I just thought, ‘Wow! People do that? That’s fascinating!'” she told the publication.

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“I guess that was my sex education. game of Thrones.”

Season 7 of game of Thrones Premiers July 16 on Foxtel’s Showcase.

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