“Was It Worth It? Maisie Williams on Game of Thrones and the Price of Fame”
British actress Maisie Williams, renowned for her portrayal of Arya Stark in the global phenomenon “Game of Thrones,” recently shared candid insights into her childhood star experience. While the fantasy drama series catapulted her to worldwide fame and fortune, it also exacted a personal toll on the young actress.
The Overwhelming Pressure
Williams, who was cast as Arya at the tender age of 12, revealed to The Times of London that the pressure of fame left her feeling “lost for so long.”
She grappled with discomfort while wrestling with her identity amidst the whirlwind of success. “Was It Worth It? Maisie Williams on Game of Thrones and the Price of Fame”. Williams explained, “I couldn’t pin down what I felt my identity was within that.”
However, time has brought healing. She now feels more comfortable in her own skin, having navigated the challenges of early stardom.
British actress Maisie Williams has revealed that, while playing Arya Stark in the Netflix fantasy drama Game of Thrones brought her worldwide fame and riches, it brought its personal darker side for her as a young person.
Williams, who was first cast as Arya in the epic series aged 12, told The Times of London she found the pressure overwhelming:
“I was so lost for so long and I knew that I was, and when I couldn’t pin down what I felt my identity was within that, it brought me a lot of discomfort. Now I feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin. It’s hard to even put myself back there and talk about how tough it was just because I think it’s done.”
Williams got the role of Arya, beating 300 other girls to the part, and says she learned her trade on set by watching older, more experienced colleagues:
“Charles Dance was a standout for Game of Thrones. I admired watching him rehearse, and the things that he and the director talked about.”
Williams is now playing Catherine Dior, the sister of the fashion designer and a member of the French resistance, in The New Look now streaming on AppleTV+. Additionally, she runs her own production company, and is intent on bringing original content to the screen, rather than adapting intellectual property from video games and products. “Was It Worth It? Maisie Williams on Game of Thrones and the Price of Fame”
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Learning from the Greats
On the set of “Game of Thrones,” Williams observed and learned from seasoned colleagues. She singled out Charles Dance, who portrayed Tywin Lannister, as a standout example.
Watching Dance rehearse and witnessing the director’s discussions left a lasting impression on the young actress. It was a masterclass in the craft of acting.
Life Beyond Westeros
Williams has since moved on to new projects. In the 10-part series “The New Look,” streaming on AppleTV+, she portrays Catherine Dior, sister to the famed fashion designer and a member of the French resistance.
Beyond acting, Williams runs her own production company. Her focus lies in creating original content rather than relying on adaptations from existing intellectual properties.
Ever empathetic, she supports other child actors navigating the pressures of fame. “They could text me or call me,” she says.
A Journey of Resilience
Although Arya Stark was one of the more beloved characters on Game of Thrones, audiences quickly turned on the show when its final season came around. A lackluster and questionable finale caused fans to consider the series as a failure, despite consistently bringing in high viewership and winning industry awards. (The series won 59 Emmy Awards over its lifetime.)
But starring on an eight-season show for under a decade would be incredible work for anyone, let alone a 12-year-old Williams. Following her time on Game of Thrones, she uses her experience to help other child actors going through similar experiences.
Maisie Williams’ journey from the Seven Kingdoms to her current endeavors exemplifies resilience and growth. Her openness about young actors’ challenges sheds light on the complexities of fame and identity.
