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FEATURE
FEBRUARY 2015 JB Hi-Fi
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MAISIE WILLIAMS, who plays the wildest and youngest Stark child, Arya,
in GAME OF THRONES, talks swordplay, being a badass, 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 about
The 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 with what to pick in college and
I’ve been given a fast pass to kickstart my
DVD&BD
MAISIE WHAT
KNOWS