Maisie Williams: From Arya Stark to Hollywood and Beyond
Maisie Williams: From Arya Stark to Hollywood and Beyond
Maisie Williams, or Margaret Constance Williams as she was born on April 15, 1997, in Bristol, England, became a household name thanks to Game of Thrones. While she’s forever linked to Arya Stark, her journey is about so much more than that one character. Let’s dig into her story, from growing up in a small village to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment.
Growing Up in Somerset
Maisie had a pretty normal childhood in Somerset, raised by her mom, Hilary Pitt. She wasn’t always focused on acting. In fact, her first love was dancing. She went to Bath Dance College, where she studied everything from ballet to street dance. That’s where her dreams were before she even thought about acting. Little did she know, her life was about to take a massive turn.
Landing Arya Stark in Game of Thrones
At just 12 years old, Maisie auditioned for the role of Arya Stark in Game of Thrones. She had zero acting experience, but something about her clicked with the casting team. Next thing you know, she’s playing one of the most iconic characters in TV history. Arya Stark wasn’t just any character; she was fierce, independent, and fearless. Maisie nailed it, season after season, as we watched Arya go from a tomboy in Winterfell to a master assassin crossing names off her kill list.
The role brought Maisie worldwide fame, tons of award nominations, and a whole lot of fan love. Arya’s “Not today” scene with the Night King in the final season? Yeah, that was legendary. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Arya the way Maisie did.
Stepping Into Other Roles
While Game of Thrones took up most of her teenage years, Maisie didn’t stick to one type of role. She branched out to prove she wasn’t just Arya. In 2014, she took on her first major film role in The Falling, playing a troubled student named Lydia. It was a far cry from Westeros, and her performance was praised, showing the world that she was more than just a one-character wonder.
She then went on to star in iBoy (2017), a Netflix sci-fi flick where she played Lucy, a girl caught in some crazy high-tech drama. Then came The New Mutants in 2020, where Maisie jumped into the Marvel universe as Rahne Sinclair, aka Wolfsbane, a mutant who can transform into a wolf. The movie wasn’t a huge hit, but Maisie’s role stood out as one of the better parts.
Getting Into Tech with Daisie
Maisie isn’t just an actress. She’s also been getting into tech. In 2019, she co-founded the app Daisie, a platform designed to help creatives collaborate on projects. The idea was to break down the barriers in the creative industries, making it easier for people to find each other and work together on films, art, music, and more. It’s not your typical Hollywood move, but Maisie’s always been about doing things differently.
Maisie’s Personal Life and Activism
Growing up in the public eye wasn’t easy, and Maisie’s been super open about her struggles with mental health. She’s talked about dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and the pressures of being in the spotlight from such a young age. Instead of hiding it, she’s shared her experiences, encouraging others to seek help and not be ashamed of their mental health issues.
Maisie’s also a big supporter of causes she cares about, like LGBTQ+ rights and environmental activism. She uses her platform to talk about these issues and has worked with several organizations to raise awareness. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, which has only made her fans love her more.
What’s Maisie Up To Now?
Maisie’s career is still going strong. After Game of Thrones, she’s been taking on a bunch of different roles. In the TV series Two Weeks to Live, she played a quirky survivalist out for revenge, showing off her comedic side. She’s been picking her projects carefully, making sure to challenge herself and try new things.
Beyond acting, Maisie seems set on continuing her journey in tech, and who knows what she’ll do next? One thing’s for sure—whether it’s on-screen or behind the scenes, she’s here to stay.
From her breakout as Arya Stark to exploring other roles and even diving into the tech world, Maisie Williams has already done a lot in a short amount of time. And with her drive and talent, it feels like this is just the beginning of what she’ll accomplish.