Maisie Williams has opened up about her journey portraying Arya Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones, which began when she was quite young. Speaking to The Sunday Times in a recent interview, Williams revealed that her role in the fantasy drama caused her significant discomfort, leading to a prolonged sense of feeling lost.
Reflecting on her experience, Maisie shared, “I felt incredibly lost for a prolonged period, and I was fully aware of it. Not being able to define my identity within that context caused me a great deal of discomfort. But now, I feel much more at ease with who I am. It’s challenging to revisit that time and articulate how tough it was, simply because I believe it’s behind me now.”
Expanding on her journey, Maisie expressed her desire to offer guidance to young actors navigating the pressures of the industry. “I delve deep into my own experiences to offer advice that I hope proves valuable. I can’t say for certain if I’ve made a difference, but I want them to know they can always reach out to me for support,” she shared.
Maisie earned global acclaim and received Emmy nominations for her portrayal in the series. Auditioning for the role at just 14 years old, she embodied Arya Stark across all eight seasons. In 2022, a prequel to Game of Thrones titled House of the Dragon premiered. Set 200 years before the events of the original series and 172 years prior to the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, the show delves into the rich lore of the fictional world.