STACK NZ Jan-Feb #59

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SUMMER EDITION 2015 JB Hi-Fi
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WHAT MAISIE
KNOWS
MAISIE WILLIAMS, who plays the wildest and youngest Stark child Arya in GAME
OF THRONES, talks swordplay, being a bad ass and growing up on the set of one
of the world’s most popular TV shows.
What does your family think of the show and
your character Arya?
MAISIEWILLIAMS: I guess we’ve got a weird
perspective of the show because we were there
from day one and a majority of the world hadn’t
heard about it. It’s hard to say if they would like
Arya if I didn’t play her.They have a very biased
perspective because I live and breathe her, and
talk about her constantly. I think they think she’s
pretty cool.The cool thing is that I get to pretend
to be that badass! She has all these amazing
lines to say and I can pretend to be that cool. It’s
amazing and I’d never ask for anything else.
Which do you think was the most epic Arya
moment so far?
Killing Polliver was pretty cool and I liked
that. I think Episode three of this [current
season], when she’s talking to the farmer and
The Hound [played by Rory McGann] and
she’s lying aboutThe Hound being her father
and all that. It’s a big deal because Arya
can pretend and for her that was a pretty
cool moment where she can actually lie to
everyone and still come out on top.
How well do you guys get along off-screen?
It’s great to work with Rory, he’s a really nice
person and it’s great to work with someone I
get along so well with.
What qualities do you think you and Arya have
in common?
We both see more to life than living up to
other people’s expectations. I don’t have to
be making a lot of money or living in a fancy
house. If I’m happy then I’ll do whatever, so
that’s similar to Arya.We both have family
as our main goal in life. My family are the
epicentre of all my decisions.
Do you take fencing lessons for handling
your Needle?
If I have up-and-coming fight scenes, I work
with the stunt guys who mainly teach me a
routine. In the past, I’ve done fencing of my own
accord, because I want to get used to looking
natural with a sword. It seems like Arya did a
lot more training than you see on screen, and
obviously Maisie hasn’t! I’m always trying to
get better, but who’s complaining about getting
a free gym membership.The perks of being on
Game ofThrones!
What is the most significant experience you’ve
taken away from working on the set of Game of
Thrones so far?
I think I just matured.That’s the biggest thing
I could have taken away from the whole thing.
I’ve had a fast track to who I want to be. I know
all of my friends are struggling to what to pick