Kit Harington and Sophie Turner, forever linked as Jon Snow and Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, have described filming intimate scenes for their upcoming gothic horror film The Dreadful as deeply awkward and physically unsettling. Harington, 39, called the experience “gross” and “weird,” while Turner, who also produced the film, said the first kissing scene left both actors retching. Separately, Turner’s lead role in a £100 million television reboot of Tomb Raider has been temporarily halted due to a back injury aggravated by months of grueling training.

The ‘Gross’ Transition from Sibling to Lover on Set

According to the report, Harington and Turner’s real-life friendship, forged over eight seasons as siblings on HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011–2019), made filming romantic scenes for The Dreadful profoundly uncomfortable. Harington told the outlet that when Turner first sent him the script, he immediately noticed the abundance of intimate scenes and felt “it was going to be weird.” Turner, appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers, echoed the sentiment, describing the situation as “vile” and a “really bad moment” in her career. The actors tried to compartmentalize their fraternal bond, but the reality of the kissing scene proved so unsettling that both physically gagged between takes.

A 15th-Century Gothic Horror That Forced Retching Actors

The Dreadful is set against the backdrop of the 15th-century War of the Roses, a period of civil conflict in England. Turner plays Anne, a woman whose life is disrupted by a mysterious stranger portrayed by Harington. As the source details, Turner advocated for Harington to join the cast, believing he was perfect for the part despite the inherent awkwardness. Harington praised Turner’s growth as an actor, reflecting on having watched her evolve from a child performer on Game of Thrones into a “phenomenal” talent. Both actors stressed that the script’s quality made the necessary discomfort worthwhile for the final product, a sentiment that speaks to the lengths performers go for compelling storytelling.

The £100 Million Lara Croft Reboot and the Six-Month Recovery Risk

Turner’s career faces a separate, more logistical challenge: a back injury sustained during intensive training for the Amazon-produced Tomb Raider TV series. According to the report,production at Shepperton Studios paused after Turner aggravated a pre-existing condition. While a studio statement characterized it as a “minor injury,” insiders say the situation is more severe, with recovery estimated at up to six months. The physical demands were extreme: eight hours a day, five days a week of training since February of the prior year, as Turner herself disclosed on The Julia Cunningham Show. That regimen revealed a chronic back issue, and her lack of prior athletic training meant a long, arduous buildup to embody the iconic Lara Croft.

The multi-million-pound project now faces a dilemma: replacing Turner, who follows Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander in the role, would be complicated by the significant footage already shot. Producers hope for a swift recovery, but the six-month timeline puts the entire reboot in jeopardy.. This case highlights the physical risks inherent in action franchises, where actors’ bodies become the primary investment.

Open Questions: Will Turner Return to the Tomb or Be Recast?

The source leaves key unknowns : Can Turner’s back recover quickly enough to avoid a full production shutdown? If not, will producers recast the lead, risking fan backlash and wasted footage? The studio’s terse statement contrasts with insider urgency, leaving the project’s fate uncertain. Additionally, neither the filmmakers of The Dreadful nor Turner’s representatives have commented on how—or if—the on-set discomfort might affect future collaborations between the two stars.