Maisie Williams is an English actress and dancer. She is best known for her role as Arya Stark in the HBO television series Game of Thrones, which earned her the 2012 Portal Awards for Best Supporting Actress – Television and Best Young Actor, and the BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Actor in 2013. She has also received nominations for the Scream Award for Best Ensemble, and the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress for her performance.
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» All Actor InterviewsMy short bio: I'll answer as many questions as I can, I'm gonna go for 1 hour. I can't talk about the new season so please NO SPOILERS!
Victoria from Reddit will be helping me out. Let's get started
My Proof: https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/561165858522038272
Edit Well, I'd love to do this again. Let's do this again after the end of the season? Thank you everyone for all your questions. I'm out of time, but I'd love to do this all again, so look for me at the end of season 5.
Hey Maisie, I'll ask what everyone on /r/thelastofus has been talking about.
Will you play Ellie in The Last of Us Movie?
Did you do a table read of the script?
Do you want to play Ellie?
Thanks!
THE LAST OF US movie is in very early days. I have spoken to powerful people who are getting THE LAST OF US on its feet. And I'm hopeful that I can play Ellie in the future, but we'll all have to wait and see.
At what point did you realize that Game of Thrones was becoming a huge deal?
Season 3. At the season 3 premiere, we went to the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, and stepping out of the car, with hundreds of people screaming my name, is when I realized that this show completely changed my life. It was very, very daunting - I found it quite scary - but it happened gradually, so I had time to get used to it.
Hello Maisie, has there been a scene so far in Game of Thrones that was particularly difficult?
There's actually a scene in the coming season... which was my most difficult scene to film. And I think fans are going to be really excited about it. More emotional than we've seen Arya in previous seasons.
Hi Maisie, thanks for doing this AMA. What's been the biggest change in your life since starting Game of Thrones? Also, which cast member is most like their character on the show?
Being recognized in the street. I used to enjoy being quite anonymous, and now I have to kind of be aware that people know who I am sometimes.
Rory is quite similar to The Hound before breakfast, in that, if he hasn't eaten, he's kind of grumpy! haha! But I love 'im regardless.
What are your biggest struggles while on the set of the show Game of Thrones?
Very long hours. Because I love to sleep. I like sleeping more than most of my siblings. So staying awake and working long, long hours is very difficult.
Hi Maisie!
Do you have any favourite video games? A while back I saw you were a fan of Hat Films!
Absolutely loved Cyberbully and really looking forward to seeing The Falling.
Me and my brothers enjoy playing a computer game called "Amnesia" which is really scary!
We haven't completed it yet, but we're close.
What would your personal house sigil and house words be?
^Edit: ^Prob'ly ^shoulda ^realized ^that ^there ^is ^no ^way ^this ^is ^the ^first ^time ^anyone's ^asked ^this, ^and ^I ^probably ^could ^have ^just ^Googled ^the ^answer. ^Oh ^well.
^^^Maisie ^^^Williams ^^^answered ^^^me!!!
I've answered this question before! My sigil would be a tortoise, and my saying would be "Go hard or go home" because your shell is hard, and it's also your home, so...
Being a Belfast native, I'd just like to ask what it's like filming here?
FREEZING cold. But the people are lovely, so that makes up for it.
What one thing really pisses you off?
Patronizing adults, saying "back in my day, blahblahblah" because I'm sure they found it annoying in their day when adults said back in MY day - I don't know what it was like in your day, I was only born 17 years ago, so stop being patronizing about it!
How do you managae to work school/college around your acting? Also, what is your favourite subject?
My favourite subject when I was at school (apart from the usual drama and english) was mathematics, and it was really hard to juggle school & work. And... I sort've... this is a tricky question - school took a bit of a back-seat, and I took my opportunities in live, and hopefully in the future, if I go down a different back, I can go back, get my grades, my certifications, and go and do something else if I want to.
Favourite cartoon / show when younger?
Dexter's Lab was ace.
I used to watch Pingu religiously and it's about a little penguin, and that's basically it. But then this one episode came along where Pingu lost his mother, and it basically scarred me for life, because Pingu was crying, and I was crying, and then, yeah, Pingu was never the same after that.
If you don't know the words to a song, do you improvise?
All the time. I thought Taylor Swift's new song said "Something-something-Starbucks-lovers" when it actually said "I've got a long list of ex-lovers" and that was news to me. And I realized I'd been embarrassing myself for like 2 months!
Hi Maisie! If you were somehow elected as supreme queen of Westeros, what would be the first law you would pass as ruler?
Ehm... oooh, if I was the queen of Westeros, the first rule... I would make everyone a Wildling, because I think their costumes are really cool!
It's probably the most shallow answer ever, but it's true.
Have you had one of those "I can't stop laughing" moments on the GOT set? If so, what was so funny???
The one time was in series 3, episode 8, when I was supposed to laugh anyway - when Arya cracked up laughing at the news of her dead aunt - and I was watching funny videos on my phone, so I giggled endlessly, and they liked it, and so did the audience.
Hi Maisie!
On your quest to become a Pokemon master, which starter Pokemon do you pick? Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander?
Charmander.
what is your favorite guilty pleasure movie?
Oh! JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE. It's like, about 3 girls that fancy this one guy, and it's so cheesy, but I can't stop watching it, ever.
Hi Maisie, Do you still have contact with/see/visit the wolf from book 1 of game of thrones (nymeria i think) ?
I don't get to see the dogs anymore. But after my dog (who played Nymeria) finished playing Nymeria, she actually went on to play Shaggy Dog, and they dyed her. She was the best behaved dog out of all of them, so she ended up playing all the other wolves, even though she was mine originally. Yeah. It's cool!
Hi Maisie! Is there anything you specifically find odd about American culture?
Ehm... I don't want to offend anyone... is there anything I find odd? You drive on the wrong side of the roads, in my opinion.
Hi Maisie! Just curious, do you get to keep Needle, or at least a replica of it for yourself?
Not yet! But I'm hoping to steal one in the future, so I can keep it for myself!
Masie, when you came to Indianapolis, a guy in the con asked if you could read his name in the death prayer. After a bit of a laugh and doing it you said that was the strangest request? Has anything topped that yet?
And could you put my screen name in one? A little bit of irony, i know.
NO, that is still definitely the weirdest fan encounter that I've had.
I tell people about it all the time, it was so funny.
Do you like crunchy peanut butter or smooth?
Crunchy! People who like smooth peanut butter are just aliens.
What TV shows do you secretly enjoy?
Secretly enjoy?
Oh! Well it's not much of a secret, but I really enjoy The Great British Bake-Off. It's like a competition show, but they all bake it, and it's very funny, because they all cry over techniques. Like if they get their cake wrong, they're just sobbing over a spongecake, and I find it hilarious.
Who rips the biggest farts on set?
Well, I spent a lot of time with Rory, and he definitely farted a few times when I was in his presence, and it was really, really funny to be honest.
You have any souvenirs from the show at home?
I have sneakily removed some of the Faceless Man coins from set. And they have gone missing. And I have NO idea where they went!
Hey Maisie. Love your performance as Arya, GoT is hands down my favourite show on the air, and the amazing cast is to thank for that!
My question is, how has the experience of portraying the character development of Arya been like, do you feel any similarities or differences between you and her? ...and also, do you ever look at chickens the same way anymore?
Heheheehee!
I think as I've grown up, as Arya's growing up, there's definitely similarities between us. And it's been really helpful for her personality to change as I've gotten older. And it's been great for me to make the transition into being an adult actor with the same character. And I still look at chickens and think they're delicious, haha!
Hi Maisie! I hear you're a dancer. What is your favorite type of dance and why?
I like jazz, because it doesn't matter what shape or size or length your legs are, you can use this dance to benefit you. Yeah. It's good for all shapes and sizes, I guess.
You can modify it to benefit your body type.
Where in the world would you most like to visit?
Ehm... I wanna go back to Iceland, but in the winter. It looks so beautiful.
Tea or coffee?
Tea! No milk one sugar.
I'm curious how people handle children/minors on the set of a TV series with so much adult content. Is there a lot of separation between the parts you film and other parts? Are you allowed to watch GoT?
I'm allowed to watch the show. I'm not around when they shoot the more adult scenes. But yeah, I watch the show, I enjoy it, and I feel like I'm a bit of a fan of the show.
I follow you on Twitter, you're super cool. What's the funniest thing your turtle has done?
I came in, like 2 weeks ago, and one of my baby tortoises - one of the youngsters, if people follow my account, they'll know I had 3 little ones being born - and one of 'em was upside down in his dish, and I thought he'd drowned, cuz he was so little, and I went over and picked him up, and he was just in his waterfowl! I don't know how he did that, they're pretty study, but he was just floating around upside-down in his dish. And his head was out of the water, so he was fine.
I nearly cried, and then I realized he was fine! I was like "Goddamnit Stevie, don't do that to me!"
Hot pie or hot cake?
PIE!
I like savory pies, like meat pies.
I don't really like sweet food.
Hi Maisie, big fan.
In the event of a "cheeky Nandos" what spice do you have on your chicken?
Cheers and have a nice day!
I go with Lemon & Herb, but I get the medium sauce.
And occasionally, if I'm feeling daring, I go with the Wing Roulette, and burn the mouth!
If you were a pizza, what kind of toppings would you have?
Um... pepperoni with some extra pepperoni, and then sprinkle it with some pepperoni. Yeah! My absolute favourite.
Have you read the books? Had you heard of them before you got the role?
I haven't read the books. And I didn't read them before I got the role.
I do want to read them but I'm going to wait until the season is finished. But I can't wait to see what really happens to Arya! Yes!
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs. We used to have 13 dogs. That's quite a lot of dogs. And I'm never had a cat. Dogs are awesome.
Are you and Rory McCann really good friends still? I hope we have not seen the last of the Hound!
We are very close friends. I saw him when I was at the SAG awards at the week-end, and it was really nice to see him again, and I hope that's not the last I see of him.
Is there any actors who you would love to work with?
Um... I would like to work with... I really admire Charlize Theron, but I don't know if I'd want to work with her, because I'd be hugely intimidated, but I think she's a fantastic actress.
Hey Maisie, what would you name the first city on Mars?
Pffffffbbbbbbt.
Ehm. What would I name the first city on Mars?
Mar-zipan!
I find marzipan quite disgusting, but that was the first thing that came into my head.
How's your left-handed swordplay coming along?
MUCH better. I feel like I've improved a lot. I don't hit anyone, or myself, as much anymore. Still don't know if I could actually kill anyone though.
I could try?
Why are you so obsessed with the Lion King intro song?
Because... it's kind of the only song that anyone can sing, no matter how good or bad their musical talent is. And it's just really catchy.
And I just like doing it to animals. And they quite hate me for it, but it's funny.
Like, I did it with a ladybird in a Vine. And immediately afterwards, it flew away. Which was very sad.
How is your day going?
Really well! I've actually been up since 4 AM, so I'm a little bit wired, I drank loads of coffee. But it feels like I should be going to sleep, and it's 3 in the afternoon, so a bit long.
Great work in Cyberbully, I saw it and you really keep the attention of the viewer all through, quite a feat for such a focused one-room movie! I'm curious what is your favorite music and your favorite movies or tv shows at the moment? Cheers
My favourite music... ehm... is probably like drum & bass, and bass lines? And the TV I watch at the moment, I don't have a lot of time to watch TV. So probably as I said earlier, the Great British Bake-Off. I religiously watch that.
Hi Maisie
Regarding the Last of Us, have you ever played the game? Do you it'd make an impact on your decision playing Ellie? (Personally I think you'd be spot on!)
I've watched a walk-through with my brother, and our next mission is to play the game, and I'm really looking forward to it, because the walk-through was insane.
What book is on your nightstand?
I am! It's called "How to build a girl" by Caitlin Moran.
What would be in your perfect sandwich?
Perfect sandwich... cold chicken, salt & vinegar crisps, and tomato ketchup.
I actually had it last night, that was my dinner.
Hey Maisie, can you say thanks to Aidan for us?
HEY AIDAN!
He's just gone outside.
AIDAN - EVERYONE SAYS THANK YOU!
He's gone, but we'll come back to it in a minute so we can write his answer.
Aidan's back now.
Everyone wants to say thank you very much.
D'you have anything to say?
FOR REDDIT! I did it for reddit! - Aidan
Hey Maisie! If you could only eat one type of cheese for the rest of your life what type would it be and why?
It would be... Halloumi Cheese, because I think it's probably the best thing that has to be invented. But it has to be grilled. It's like rubbery, and squeaky, like cheesy bacon. You should try it. It's really salty. Amazing.
Are you a fan of any sports?
I used to enjoy high-jump, although I'm really short, I did beat a lot of kids that were a lot taller than me. I have a very springy jump, I think. I enjoyed high-jump.
What's your go-to cure for a rotten, stinking cold?
Manuca honey, lemon, and hot water! Or just like, loads of green tea. But that's just me every day.
Do you want the Hound to live?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Yeah, I would love The Hound to live, because I'd love to work with Rory again. So in an ideal world, yeah, the Hound is still alive, in Maisie's opinion.
I wanted to be... well, when I was like really little, i went through my old books I did at school, and on the first page, one of them says "When I grow up I want to be" and there's a little picture of me being skateboarder. Yeah! And then I grew up and wanted to be a dancer. And then I started acting!
If you could meet any famous person or historical figure dead or alive who would it be and what would you do with them?
Audrey Hepburn. And I don't know if I'd even want to do anything? I'd probably just want to sit and stare at her for a bit, because I think she's really cool.
I'd be starstruck. Embarrassing stuff, really. But it'd be worth it.
Do you have any interest in doing theater work in the future?
I'd love to work in the theater! I was recently talking to Emilia Clarke, who's another actress on the show, about what it was like being onstage, so yeah, in the future, I hope that crosses my path.
How did you get your start in acting?
Game of Thrones! It was my second audition. I was completely in the right place at the right time. And now it's completely changed my life, and now I find myself doing a reddit AMA, which is kind of crazy.