Sophie Turner Says She Feels 'Absolute Agony' When She's Away from Daughters She Shares with Ex Joe Jonas

The actress is mom to Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2

is glad to be back in the United Kingdom, but misses her daughters with ex while she’s away.

Speaking to in an interview published on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the actress, 28, admitted that although she lives in west London, she stays with a friend when her girls are with their dad because she hates being without them.

“It’s absolute agony,” she said.

Turner shares Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2, with the member, 35.

She added that having children gave her a sense of purpose in life.

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“Before I had kids, I was very depressed and anxious,” Turner told the outlet. “I would isolate [myself] a lot. Now, I think I live my life for them. I want them to see me having a social life and enjoying work, and thriving in my career and relationships. I want them to see a hard-working mum.”

Jonas from the Joan actress in September 2023 after . That same month, she .

Their custody agreement has since been resolved, with Willa and Delphine splitting their time between the United States and the U.K.

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“I’ll come back and say, ‘This is why mummy was away,’ ” Turner added of her work-life balance. “‘It’s because she’s doing this for you, so Father Christmas can come with a big bundle of presents.’ ”

Between dating and later marrying the pop star, Turner spent years away from her family and friends back home.

“I was away for so long — six years — and it was when my friends were getting engaged, and when I got pregnant,” the Dark Phoenix actress said. “I went for dinner with someone the other day, and she said, ‘I never got to touch your belly.’ We didn’t have those key experiences with each other.”

“I’m so happy to be back,” she added. “I just never really feel like myself when I’m not in London, with my friends and family.”

Last month, Turner shared her take on being a single parent after being “widely misquoted … in publications.”

“ personally to have a lot of help around me,” she said via her Instagram Stories on Sept. 30. “​​I applaud all single mothers doing it alone.”

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Earlier that month, a source gave PEOPLE an update on the former couple as co-parents.

“They turned things around from the initial messy custody battle,” the source said. “They are now.”

The insider added the two have “decided to focus on what’s best for their girls. The divorce was difficult for all of them.”

Turner is now dating boyfriend , and celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 27.