Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams (Arya) has literally grown up right before our very eyes. And as the show heads into its eighth and final season, her character remains an unlikely survivor in a series built on bloodshed and betrayal. Speaking to Elle Magazine, that fact doesn’t appear to be lost on the actress.
"For me, [Game of Thrones] is a medieval world in which women don’t have a lot of rights, and yet they still prevail. But I do think that as the seasons have gone on it’s become more and more amazing for women. And this final season is going to be incredible."
Are you saying Sansa and Arya end up on top after deposing Jon and the rest of the guys packing? Probably not, but it’s fun to put on your tinfoil hat and speculate wildly. “It just feels great, being on set with all these girls,” Williams continued. “They’re all ruling, you know, they’re all back on top – it’s pretty impressive.” Arya wins the Iron Throne and Sansa rules Winterfell, confirmed.
Speaking of the dynamic duo running Winterfell in Jon’s absence, Williams called the experience of working beside real-life best friend Sophie Turner (Sansa) “amazing,” even if Arya wasn’t exactly the warm and supportive sister we all wanted her to be.
"I think until last season Arya was always killing the baddies. But then we saw her start to use those manipulative powers. It’s not until she had that whole dialogue with her sister Sansa in the last season that you realise what she’s become, that she’s being awful to someone who we love."
Well, at least we weren’t the only ones who thought it was awful. Still, from a professional point of view, Williams did enjoy the change of pace for Arya. “For me, it was a really great moment as an actor to be able to play the character you love as a baddie. It felt so amazing, even though it’s an awful scene.” Either way, Williams couldn’t stop praising Turner. “Who gets to be on set with their best friend? Me! We lift each other up.” Enjoy your spoonful of feels.
As for the ultimate fate of Arya, Williams’ answer would have made the Faceless Men proud,
"Season one to eight, that’s what I wanted. I was in the first episode and I want to be in the last."
That’s some expert level wordplay. Williams has grown up to become quite the professional.
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