A Decade of Game of Thrones | Maisie Williams on Arya Stark (HBO)

From waterdancing to Braavos and beyond, Maisie Williams looks back at her time playing Arya on Game of Thrones in this extended edition of Season 8’s “The Cast Remembers” behind-the-scenes series.

[@danorm87]

The Night King still be like 'I wasnt even on her list!?'

[@kelembrimortyriel2320]

we miss this great series

[@Regenmacher175]

Well, when she said 'not today' to the God of Death, that was a giveaway that the Night King would be on her list.

[@dwally4198]

SuBvErT ExPeCtAtIoNs 🥴

[@Regenmacher175]

@@dwally4198 I like a show trying to subvert expectations and I would not expect it to stop doing that in its last season because that would mean wanting it to be something it wasn't. You want an uncomplicated ending that makes you feel good inside? That was never the aim of this show and I'm glad we got a messy, open-ended conclusion to the story.

[@handle7454]

@@Regenmacher175 Firstly the not today to the god of death has nothing to do with her list what are u even talking about second the final seasons did subvert expectations in the way that they went from the greatest writing on television to the laziest and worst I've seen

[@somewheresomething4235]

maisie was perfect in this role, from beginning to end. this girl is wonderfully talented!

[@fatfrankthepeteacher36]

Gonna cry?

[@brandondennis5889]

Couldn't agree more

[@brandondennis5889]

@@fatfrankthepeteacher36 yes

[@2jz-boi]

meh she was pretty cringe in season 7&8

[@fatfrankthepeteacher36]

@@2jz-boi so true. Her smile and whole persona are so childish

[@kiritoswords6479]

Tyrion and Arya are my 2 favorite characters in Game of Thrones. Glad they both survived.

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

Even tough they were not written as well in the later seasons the actors Peter and Maisie were what made me love them with how you could almost see their souls through their eyes

[@pesce-dal7899]

yea, Arya has one of the best character development

[@ayourmum8521]

Nobody survived. Every character was murdered by season 8

[@Shuyin128MK4]

Come to think of it, Arya was one of the extremely few main characters Tyrion never really interacted with. He had mutual respect with Jon. Befriended and helped Sansa. Helped take care of Bran and made him King. Worked with Daenerys until he didn't. Brother to Jamie and Cersei. But nothing really with Arya.

[@mohammadfaizlateef2818]

Same 👍

[@JayDonagh]

Maisie started out the series looking like she was 8 and then for the rest of the show she was frozen at looking like she was 13/14, even in her early 20s

[@SuperCIBoo]

Arya and Hound best duo ever

[@LukeKetchum7003]

Arya and Tywin, second best duo ever.

[@toddbrown242]

@@LukeKetchum7003 Arya and Roose Bolton! jk that was crap in the books compared to Tywin. Best change they made from the books to show imo was changing that relationship from Arya and Roose Bolton to Arya and Tywin

[@robostripez]

I would totally love to see your whole show about aria and the hound

[@taytay1030]

as well as Dany/Jorah

[@tiredkagura]

@@taytay1030 But sadly they weren't couple.

[@kingofthorns203]

I heard that the episode where Ed Sheeran guest starred was a birthday surprise from the crew just for Maisie. She wan't aware of it until it was time to film. if that is true that is just too sweet.

[@catec368]

I truly believe Arya Stark is one of the most fantastic characters ever. Like her entire story arc was so well done. And I think Maisie Williams is part of what made Arya Stark so powerful. The fact she was able to grow up in the role as Arya grew up is part of what made it so amazing and special.

[@adampeel6161]

Until she became a smug, plain faced Deus Ex Arya who could easily beat Brienne in combat, despite being trained for maybe a year and a half as an assassin, not a warrior. Arya was terrible in season 6-8.

[@ld7489]

@@adampeel6161 amen!!!

[@fannymartin4702]

@@adampeel6161 idk i thought she became even more powerful, i liked her

[@Guzioo]

@@adampeel6161 She did not "beat" Brienne. The scene was literally done masterfully and showed how since it was only training, Brienne also did not know that she was even nearly this skilled, so after a second she tuned up to like 10x more and "fought" her. Not only that, but Aryas fight style is for fast, agile movements with an extremely light "sword" all while she is extremely small and therefore a small target, while Brienne is an extremely high Human overall too. You are just angry that season 7 and 8 made many mistakes and it wasnt that good, so that you know see the wrong in everything, even when it is the opposite at all. I pity you

[@adampeel6161]

@@Guzioo Arya trained for what, less than a year and a half? Didn't even complete the training, beat the waif in the dark despite still being injured from being stabbed in the stomach multiple times, then decides to leave. Now she's a smug Mary Sue who can defeat any opponent, even the living embodiment of death itself after literally teleporting behind him. I pity you for swallowing this fucking garbage

[@MFBloosh]

Could we get a 5 to 10 episode Black Sails style mini series about Arya's adventures to the west? I'm sure Maisie would say yes in a heartbeat!

[@frankfurtlivede]

💥

[@Alababm]

They’re definitely gonna make that because you

[@MFBloosh]

@@Alababm Yup in a few years when they create this series, come back to this comment and thank me.

[@Alababm]

@@MFBloosh I will

[@mustafafh4402]

It’s kinda stupid, because what else would she do, unless there is some bad boys in every place she goes and she would take them off one by one

[@harsh7456]

Both the stark girls, Sansa and arya said their last words to Sandor as thank you. He was the one who didn't swear like brienna to protect them for life but he was ready to give his life up for them. And that's just great, No matter how tough you're from outside but you always care for the one's you love.

[@patriot459]

Honestly her scenes with Tywin are the best in the show. Every minute he’s teaching her while watching her for mistakes and when his men come in and talk about how they need to find her and kill Robb. That’s where she uses what Tywin has been teaching her to stay under the radar.

[@andrewnlarsen]

And don't forget at the time, Maise was still a beginner and was going up against Charles Dance...to do such a thing and have those scenes insanely turn out excellent.

[@AH-ph3cb]

I love how he is completely aware and shows a fondness for her, after what she endured with Ned

[@chaosh7040]

​​@@AH-ph3cb What are you talking about...he had zero idea that she was Arya Stark...if he did he would have had her locked up as a prisoner to use as leverage in the war...& he most definitely wouldn't have been treating her like a servant & making her poor drinks & be a gopher...she would have been treated like the high born she was.

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

@@chaosh7040 He probably knew she was hiding something, but he didn't know she was Arya Stark. They were literally looking for her so there's no way he would've kept his mouth shut about this.

[@luhole]

It really struck me that she said it had changed her family's lives as well - I've never heard that from an actor before, but for a person her age being able to support your family like that would be an unbelievable gift. How lovely.

[@fortheloveofcats2462]

Maisie, a right-handed girl trained sword-fighting with her left hand, just to commit to the character. She was, I'm pretty sure 13 at the time when she made this decision, that too on her own, and stuck with it until the end. She is Arya Stark- brave and bold

[@shawnhampton8503]

Maisie made Arya an incredible character. She is an amazing actor and seems like a lovely vibrant young woman. Smart as a whip and I hope she has so much success in future. What an incredible experience to have involved in such a great show for 10 years! She grew up on the show. Love her. I can imagine her and Sophie are just hilarious when they are together. They should make a film together.

[@gregwarner3753]

It could never be made. they would spend too much time giggling together.

[@kyce5231]

i’ve been watching all these videos and let’s be real here: the whole cast couldn’t have been any better. literal perfection. world class acting from maisy williams, nikolaj coster-waldau, lena headey, peter dinklage, emilia clarke, the list goes on. All these individuals are superstars. (PSA: thank you to everyone except for the directors who ruined the final season)

[@goldendovah7613]

writers*

[@GabesEdtiz]

@@goldendovah7613 and showrunners.

[@jamescaneda9515]

I am happy that we all saw her grow into the heartless assassin we all love and adore. I still get a lump in my throat in the scene of the Night King.

[@tylerberman7527]

@@jamescaneda9515 it was almost good, ended up destroying her charcater and developement, and turning her into a character i cant like, there are certain points in time in the show where I did like her. but the way it ended, horrible.

[@vega9608]

I never got bored watching a Arya scene, really good character and talented actress

[@Equint77]

Arya hitting the bullseye to show up bran in the very first ep is still remains one of my all time favorite moments on the show.

[@NassersReviews]

The greatest character on Game of Thrones. Regardless of how you feel about Season 8, I think we can all agree that Arya had an amazing story arc. She deserves a special place in all of our hearts. I love her so much.

[@luciferparker5063]

Her arc was shitty. Just like almost all of theirs. One of the biggest points about the story is that despite whatever the world throws at them, the Starks remain honorable. One of Sansa's redeeming characteristic was that she could find it in her heart to forgive and that she was compassionate and not Cersei 2.0. Arya's arc was despite going through all the shit (watching people killed, watching the red wedding and all that) she was still compassionate. In the end she couldn't bring herself to kill the Hound who took care of her. In the end she refused to go through with the assassination of Lady Crane only because someone had paid money. She refused to give up her identity. She refused to become a stone cold assassin with no feelings. From there on the sisters became cold bitches who straight up used Dany and her army and refused to give anything in return. This was done in an effort to show "women power". All it did was turn them into cardboard characters. And this was the difference. In S6 Sansa Jon reunion brought people to tears. In S8 we felt nothing for anyone's reunion. So no, her arc was as horrible as the rest

[@megomaf]

100% agree

[@cerseilannister7382]

Her and Jon Snow had the strongest plot Armor of the show. And I agree with Lucifer, from season 5 her arc becomes really bad, the all faceless man thing was very poorly executed.

[@ahsoka5216]

@@luciferparker5063 I 100% agree, I hated Sansa and Arya's behavior towards Daenerys in s8, but if you think about it from their pov it does make sense. Daenerys was a foreign invader who knows nothing about Westeros except through books and what others have told her so obviously they're going to choose Jon as their Ruler over Daenerys because they don't know her story like us fans do. To them Daenerys is a stranger who is trying to control everyone which is why Sansa acted so cold to her during their meeting and why they paralleled that scene to the pilot when we met Cersei. It's supposed to show and remind us fans what happened last time the Starks bowed down to someone and why Sansa doesn't trust her. Daenerys is my favorite character of the entire series and I literally cried for how she was treated in s8. Although I feel that way, I can't be completely mad at why Sansa and Arya would treat Daenerys the way that they did. They were just trying to protect their family and their home.

[@luciferparker5063]

@@ahsoka5216 What made me mad isn't how they treated her. What made me mad is how they used her. In S8E4 Arya just says we needed her and her army. And we don't trust her. Sansa says we're helpful for her help. But we won't kneel. So what will u do Sansa? What will you do in return for her basically saving your asses because without her you had no chance. That's exactly what Lannisters would do. Use someone for their causes and throw them away. I hated what they did to the Starks, when if you think about it, they're the central family. D&D are the sort of people who think that the moral of GoT is that being good leads to destruction. No it isn't. Tywin and Gregor die. Same as Ned or Catelyn or Robb. The moral is that actions have consequences. Also you say they didn't know her. In the same scene as above, Arya says I don't want to know her. That's my problem. And this is coming from Arya who loved dragons and Visenya Targaryen. Also all there are scenes where Arya smirks after brutally killing people. That's just a bid to show badassery. And it's horrible. You can have Arya kill the all the Freys if you want. But it absolutely can not be a fist pump/"yeah way to go Arya, that was so badass!" moment, never to be mentioned again or giving a second of thought to just how broken a person you'd have to be to do that and smile after. I mean it can be, but it's stupid and misses the whole point of the source material. If anyone's going to do that in the books it will be Stoneheart, a literal revenge monster twisted beyond all recognition. Same thing with Meryn Trant. "Just make him a pedo rapist so she can brutally torture and kill him with 0 nuance or remorse". The idea of a teenage girl being made into a brutal, remorseless murderer by her circumstances shouldn't be presented as cool. It should be disturbing and sad.

[@niranjan59200]

Arya is my all time favourite ♥️

[@ahsokatano84]

Same

[@Hirnlego999]

They ruined her too. "she's the smartest person I know" The pack survives.. a few moments later.. "that's alright I don't need anyone" "I know a killer when I see one". And the idiots who remained in S8 didn't even figure out to use her talents to kill Cersei and the horny pirate which would have made the last war into something which didn't need to happen Bring on the books!

[@AndrewHsieh96]

Maisie Williams was indeed the perfect choice for Arya. Proud to call her a fighter and a Queen. 👑

[@martynstembridge7714]

She was amazing ... Born to play the part and her acting ability could be seen improving in every single scene. The stuff with Arya and Tywin was pure gold.

[@Divine_Chareka]

Maisie did a wonderful job as Arya Stark. She nailed her role up to the final season. Happy GoT anniversary, Happy MaraThrone 🍷

[@onlinefool9931]

up to s8? she did great throughout that shit it was the shit writing

[@Divine_Chareka]

@@onlinefool9931 I think we're saying the same thing.

[@onlinefool9931]

@@Divine_Chareka oh i thought u meant except s8

[@starrmathias9507]

Maise was born to play Arya character on GOT. She was just perfect. From an innocent tomboy mischievous little girl to a tough badass young woman

[@Ash-ld7gc]

Touching moment-The Hound and Brienne bonding over Arya like proud parents.

[@mtthew123]

I adore her laugh so much

[@gautamsaini8788]

3:44that smile , that damm smile!😍

[@bhonandrei3183]

"I'm lucky to play Arya and no scene is ever boring" 👏👏👏

[@conniedavis423]

Maisie IS Arya Stark, no one else would have fit so well in this roll🥰. I can’t even imagine anyone else as Arya! She was wonderful, and I feel she should be very proud of herself & this accomplishment ❤️

[@kovir2555]

Having arya serving tywin as a cupbearer in the series was a great enrichment to tywins charakter and created an interesting dynamic. I really liked that.

[@akimbz9622]

Maisie was the most perfect Arya. When reading the ASOIAF series she is so close almost exactly what I pictured Arya to look like and she got Aryas personality perfect. She will forever be the image that comes to my head when I read those books again 😁

[@nodnarb3540]

“Sandor. Thank you” still makes me 🥲

[@quratulain9785]

I remember i liked jon from the very first episode but i loved arya characters along the way ...i mean it developed along the show...she was so brave...i felt her pain...she was all alone..she survived and survived so well..she took the real revenge....

[@watcherolic9930]

The moment she returns back to winterfell after so long... Was so satisfying.

[@KenJohnsonMusic]

I hate that I just can't seem to be that impressed with Maisie Willams when I see her in any other context than playing Arya. At 63, I've watched a million hours of television and fell in love with a hundred characters, but none has ever touched me like Arya Stark from Winterfeld. It is a great testament to the acting of this incredible young girl. We will all go to our graves with the death of the Night King, still close to the tops of our memories.

[@missymoonwillow6545]

Maisie, you are an incredibly talented young woman, and I'm so grateful we had you be Arya for Game of Thrones, it's been an honor to watch you grow.

[@adampeel6161]

Ah yes, Arya "Be careful, I know a killer when I see one" Stark, in the episode following The Bells. Quality writing as always

[@netdoctor1]

We've adored you endlessly, Maisie. Thank you for being a part of this great adventure that we've all taken together.

[@theengineer704]

And I am still watching it over and over. Thank you Maisie for bringing that world to life for us all :D

[@Fad3nHD]

Arya, Daenerys and Tyrion - best GOT characters.

[@l3oncull753]

Jaime and so much more...

[@samwalker4128]

Jon, Arya, tyrion

[@polymorphicprocrastination5345]

Nah... Baristen Selmy and Maester Amon

[@ttts3400]

Baelish, Tywin and Jon

[@ahsoka5216]

Arya and Daenerys story arcs were literally my favorites! I thought theirs was just the most interesting and had a lot going on since we got to see more of the world through their pov

[@alexbecker4367]

Thank you for 8 wonderful seasons❤️

[@stephenarmstrong7959]

6 wonderful seasons

[@abhilashy.m7741]

Every scene you’ve ever been.. was my favourite.. absolute favourite ❤❤❤❤❤❤ Maisie - The show steeler ❤️🔥🔥

[@Steventrafford]

Can’t wait to see her in more HBO or movies. Incredible talent, I ain’t in a hurry, that woman gave 10 years to us. Let her have some life to herself👍. As long as she returns!

[@troysafcrin]

Maisie Williams is such an incredible actress, her performance was just superb

[@mustafafh4402]

The most fun character on the show!

[@mrbabyhugh]

2:48 for me, this was the best dynamic in the series.

[@user-lo5xw9gu5d]

i miss show so freaking mcuh it literally was saving me and now when everything ended I have a feekng that everyone just forgot that this show even existed though it was the most anticipated show in the whole world and I feel so sad like it has never existed like a piece of past it hurts(

[@happening2023]

Her last speech was full of emotion.. U made me cry a bit 👏

[@anyasogames]

a once in a lifetime childhood, how amazing. Maisie is just the greatest.

[@ashleighh472]

She’s the only reason I watched game of thrones. Such an amazing character and incredible story line, I love how opposite she was to sansa and was proud of it. Never changed who she was and did everything she could to defend her family. Such a badass.

[@haunted_doll88]

Arya will always and forever be my favorite character 🥰

[@scorpionking2509]

Two great character transformation in game of thrones,tyron lanister and arya stark.I enjoyed your character a lot...

[@kingofthorns203]

I am just so proud of her, like a big brother or an older cousin. Maybe from watching her since she was a little girl and seeing her grow up.

Dear Maisie played the most favourite character, as this one has been the most viewed video of the decade series. The last frame in this video should be the first frame of "Arya Stark" sequel

[@dabeage]

It was a joy to behold your performance.

[@TheOzarkWizard]

If HBO is going to bring us the Snyder cut then they can bring us 10 seasons of GOT

[@sahilburi399]

I wish.

[@sandrinjoy]

10?

[@akaSashK]

GRR said he envisioned 13 so probably a few more

[@TheDivinepromise]

I expect 16 the very least.

[@dwally4198]

and clearly redo 7&8. At least 8 for the love of god

[@danielhornik2175]

I cried so much i am in love with this show and with Maisie and Arya too😩😚😚😆

[@groovytraveller4459]

Love Maisie!!!❤️ wish she had more movies after GoT

[@PrinceOfLillies]

I was way older than the character when the show first came out but completely loved and related to you maisie!! 💓🇦🇺💓

[@The6thRonin]

She truly is one of the best, on and off the set, I would think.

[@gobindmandal6701]

The last moment really made me emotional again

[@anamariavblog]

I couldn’t hold my tears anymore in the end 🤚🏻😭

[@asagoodfriend]

I was waiting for this one! Now I'll move on to Peter's video!🌟💯

[@LucasStarkofWinterfell]

I loved so many characters on the show, but I think Arya is the character that I suffered the most. I was worried every time about Arya, and cried in lot of scenes. I'll never forger Arya Stark. Love you, Maisie.

[@StudioGREGORIO]

~~~ From the moment she yelled "LIAR!" in Season One, you knew they found a firecracker. What a character. BRAVO

[@anttikettunen8601]

"All these lessons had to lead to something" Jamie: what?

[@NotYourVampiree]

Best character In the whole fucking show. Missing my girl 🖤

[@winteriscoming7493]

Arya was my favourite character..all those scenes with faceless men training were the best..made so much sense! That one line of Masie...if I don't do anything I will be happy...was so touching!

[@kurtcraig3421]

maisie smashed this role good an proper. i wish she was on tv doing more shows. a weekly full time slot would be something to look forward to.

[@GabrielCsaba]

There's a set of human limitations to how adorable one can be, and Maisie effortlessly shatters every single one of them on a daily basis.

[@Bayan1905]

No matter what you think of how the show ended, Maisie Williams was one of the best things about GofT and it's been amazing to see her as an actress and it will be interesting to see where she takes her career from here.

[@sharonkiran7666]

fav character in the show❤

[@chrisdelisle3954]

No, Maisie, you were not a wuss in regards to Ned's last moments in life...unless we're all wusses. So many classic moments with this character, so many interesting relationships she had with different characters: Syrio, Tywin, Jaqen, the Hound. One of the most interesting arcs on the entire show. And she played it beautifully.

[@ahsoka5216]

I would've loved more Arya and Tywin scenes because their dynamic always seemed interesting to me

[@tasialynngood8540]

And her last day on set statement made me cry!

[@nannr9220]

bro this gurl is the best, because of her i kept watching. But what really took the cake was when she appeared in (Doctor Who). She is one of the greatest. cant wait to see more...

[@HashebAnzar]

You are gonna make me cry 😭

[@Roslowich89c9040]

There was nothing like it then There’s nothing like it now IMHO the BEST PRODUCTION EVER

[@alexbecker4367]

Thank you for the best show in history❤️

[@imgonnaputsomebroccoliinyo3006]

I think out of all the characters, Arya's storyline has been the very interesting one to follow, she's been to a lot of places with lots of people (even Tywin!), and Maisie's definitely right, no scene of her was ever boring. Despite a crappy series ending, I have to thank the writers for not killing Arya.

[@kristate2180]

I cried in the end of this masterpiece

[@jrsands]

The Hound: “You left me to die!”... Arya: “First I robbed you!” One of the storylines that was disappointingly unfulfilled was Arya’s & the skills of the “faceless men”. Maybe a spin-off will fulfill the promise.

[@Hirnlego999]

I don' want it, I don't expect anyone to be competent enough to write it right

[@jrsands]

@@Hirnlego999 really... imagine if they could get that storyline right. It was one of the most intriguing storylines of the whole GOT!

[@sughidharan1408]

She was one reason I was watching GOT all the way to the very end ❤️

[@danieladelcastillolocatell5839]

When s8 began I really imagined the ending of Arya's story is she survives the long Night and the final war for the throne, Arya marrying Gendry who doesnt become a lord but gets legitimized as a Baratheon pluz surviving the war and she not becoming a lady,but out of love and choice.cuz she never had a choice for that since she and Gendry have fallen in love, Arya and Gendry sailing to whats West of Westeros before settling in Storm's End as master and mistress of the castle pluz generals of their own army and starting a family or as hand of the queen or kingof the north and master of war of the king or queen of the north and living in winterfell or without titles and the old traditions standing in their way

[@ADavid42]

I was so certain Arya would kill Cercei either as Jamie... or Tyrion (but I hoped not Tyrion)

[@iulpo]

My favorite scene is not in the books (I don't believe Arya would say "seven hells!" as she's a northener), but her reply to Sansa's complaints and her expression makes me enjoy that scene everytime.

[@aydam3735]

Still to this day my fav scene of her was when she killed the night king. I still repeat it several times to rewatch it again and again whenever I see it.

[@Matheus15430]

Maisie did a perfect job. She is amazing so as Arya ❤️

[@BCreate2Dea]

She is totally cute on first season.

[@danherrick5785]

Maisie Williams was the only reason I ended up continuing to watch this show!!!

[@waiburana1327]

Omg i love her so much.

[@syedazhar7773]

We still love you Arya

[@queenratv115]

Another amazing actress

[@Birmingham_racing]

I was crying by the end of this video

[@taotaostrong]

She would actually make a stellar acting instructor!

[@mohammadfaizlateef2818]

I thought this interview would be latest, but no I remember seeing it after completing the series..

[@p.n.r8511]

I think it’s time to start a marathon

[@_queenofpromises_j.3439]

We did one, we're now on season 6 and I'm already crying so hard! I don't want it to end.. Again 😭😂

[@arielmoreno5583]

*one the characters with the best development*

[@rosaliaablaza]

One of the most character I love... Maybe because of Maisie Williams

[@sanvilingle303]

There is nothing like game of thrones❣️❣️

[@bhenderson2725]

an Arya spinoff is definitely needed, after GOTs she is sailing west, let's see her kick some ass there with some nicely timed cameos.

[@stanzinoldan1159]

maisie played the best character🖤🖤

[@Karraralshukri]

I'm very love this actor ❤️❤️❤️

[@shimo3543]

احب تمثيلها 🥺💜💜

[@Mahfireballs]

8:13 yes very happy we are reminded of this white horse in the middle of burned down kingslanding, as such a sign must most definitely be a very important omen with a deep meaning. And as it is so clear and epically framed it most likely will have a huge impact on Arya's character arc and or motivation. Spurring her on to action, and such. Kinda like all the Red priest portents and Azor Ahai and Bran being able to Warg seemingly into anything or have all this vast knowledge. Confirming Jon is actually Aegon Targaryen which would have a huge impact on the story oh wait... Maisie Williams was an epic actress though and now I think about it she probably worked with some of the coolest actors, The Starks at first then Tywin Lannister, Jaqen H’ghar, The hound even Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr.