Why Do People Love Maisie Williams?
Maisie Williams is a beloved English actress who rose to fame playing the role of Arya Stark on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Her fierce portrayal of the young, headstrong Arya won over millions of fans across the globe.
But what is it exactly about Maisie that makes her so adored? Here’s an in-depth look at the many reasons people can’t get enough of this talented actress.
Humble Beginnings
Despite her massive success now, Maisie comes from humble beginnings. She was born in Bristol in 1997 and grew up in a modest family. Her mother was a university course administrator and her father worked for a pallet distribution company. Far from being a child of privilege, Maisie attended the local Clutton Primary School.
However, she had a passion for acting from a young age. She began taking performing arts classes on the weekends, laying the foundation for her future career. Her early struggles make her success story all the more inspiring.
What was Maisie Williams’ childhood like?
- Maisie Williams was born in Bristol, England in 1997.
- She grew up in a modest, working-class family. Her mother was a university course administrator and her father worked for a pallet distribution company.
- She attended the local primary school in her town, Clutton Primary School.
- From a young age, Maisie had a passion for acting and performing. She began taking weekend drama classes during her childhood to pursue this interest.
- Her humble upbringing and early life struggles make her rise to fame all the more impressive for fans. She represents an inspiring rags-to-riches story.
Landing the Role of a Lifetime
Like many actors, Maisie struggled to find roles in the early days of her career. She had small parts in British TV shows like The Bill and Doctors. But in 2009, her big break came. The 12-year-old actress auditioned for the role of Arya Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
Up against hundreds of other girls, Maisie won over the producers with her spunky, bold audition. Her chemistry read with co-star Sophie Turner clinched the deal. Of course, no one could have predicted then how huge the medieval fantasy series would become. Maisie’s nuanced portrayal of the feisty young heroine Arya has become iconic.
Fans delighted in seeing Arya evolve from a scared girl to a hardened assassin over the show’s eight seasons. Maisie says she will forever be thankful for her time on the show that made her a star.
How did Maisie Williams get her big break on Game of Thrones?
- In 2009 at age 12, Maisie auditioned for the role of Arya Stark in Game of Thrones.
- She was up against hundreds of other girls for the coveted role.
- Maisie won over the casting directors with her bold, spunky audition and chemistry read with Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark).
- Producers saw something special in Maisie and she secured the career-making role.
- At the time, no one knew how hugely successful the medieval fantasy series would become.
- Maisie portrayed Arya for all 8 seasons, showing the character’s evolution from scared girl to hardened killer.
- The role made Maisie a global star and she says she will always be thankful to Game of Thrones for launching her career.
Table Highlighting Maisie Williams’ Acting Resume
Production | Role | Year |
---|---|---|
Game of Thrones | Arya Stark | 2011-2019 |
The Falling | Lydia Lamont | 2014 |
Cybersix | Cybersix Voice | 2016 |
Early Man | Goona Voice | 2018 |
Gen: Lock | Cameron MacCloud Voice | 2019 |
Two Weeks to Live | Kim Noakes | 2020 |
Pistol | Pamela Rooke | 2022 |
Comic Timing and Wit
While Arya required immense dramatic acting skills, Maisie has proven she’s got incredible comedic chops too. She showed off her witty, hilarious side in her guest role on the hit sitcom The Doctor Who.
She played a mischievous student at Coal Hill Academy who used sarcasm and quippy attitude giving the Doctor a run for his money. Maisie also got to flex her comedy muscles as the lively, funny presenter of the social media recap show Two Weeks to Live.
Her facial expressions, snark, and overall vibrancy left viewers wanting more. Whatever the role, Maisie approaches it with the same gusto and theatrical training that first caught casting directors’ attention years ago.
What has Maisie Williams shown about her talents as a comedic actress?
- In addition to her acclaimed dramatic work, Maisie has proven to have excellent comedic timing and wit.
- She was very funny in her guest stint on Doctor Who, playing a clever, mischievous student who used sarcasm and attitude against the Doctor.
- Maisie also showed her lively, hilarious side as the presenter on the social media recap show Two Weeks to Live.
- Her expressions, snarky jokes, and high energy vibrancy made that show a hit and left audiences wanting more.
- No matter the acting role, Maisie brings the same gusto and theatrical skills that first impressed casting directors years ago during her Game of Thrones audition.
- She has true talents as both a dramatic and comedic performer.
Activism and Charity Work
Maisie uses her huge platform for good. She’s involved with numerous social causes and charities. As a proud feminist, she strives to be a role model empowering young girls. She created the messaging app Daisie to support creators and artists.
Environmentally conscious, she frequently promotes sustainability initiatives likebottleneck’s campaign to clean plastic from the oceans. For over a decade, Maisie has been a loyal ambassador for Radio 1’s Teen Hero Awards celebrating young volunteers.
One of her favorite charities is the UK Dementia Research Institute working to find a cure. Maisie’s charitable efforts and desire to make a difference have earned her tremendous respect. Her fans are inspired by her compassion.
What are some of Maisie Williams’ notable activism and charity works?
- Maisie uses her fame to promote social causes and charities she cares about.
- She’s a proud feminist and aims to empower young girls. She created the app Daisie to support emerging creators.
- She often promotes environmental initiatives, like bottleneck’s ocean plastic cleanup campaign.
- Maisie is an ambassador for Radio 1’s Teen Hero Awards, celebrating young volunteers for over 10 years.
- She works closely with the UK Dementia Research Institute to help find a cure.
- Her fans admire her charitable efforts and desire to make a positive difference in the world.
- She’s a role model for using her platform for good.
Friendship with Sophie Turner
One of the sweetest parts of Maisie’s story is her close bond with co-star and on-screen sister Sophie Turner. The two grew up together on the Game of Thrones set starting as pre-teens.
Their sisterly relationship as Arya and Sansa gradually cultivated an off-screen friendship too. Maisie calls Sophie her best friend. They get matching tattoos, serve as bridesmaids at each other’s weddings, and remain a constant support system for one another.
Despite their diverging careers and lives in different countries, their loyal friendship persists. Fans love seeing glimpses of their real-life bond on social media. Their sisterly relationship is genuine #goals.
How would you characterize Maisie Williams’ friendship with Sophie Turner?
- Maisie and Sophie Turner played sisters Arya and Sansa on Game of Thrones from a young age.
- Their on-screen sisterly bond gradually cultivated an off-screen friendship as well.
- The two consider each other best friends and remain very close.
- They get matching tattoos, are bridesmaids at each other’s weddings, and offer support.
- Despite busy lives in separate countries now, their loyal friendship endures.
- Fans love seeing their real sisterly bond on social media.
- Their genuine, long-lasting friendship is aspirational and heartwarming.
Other Passions and Interests
When she’s not acting, Maisie has plenty of other pursuits. She loves staying active through yoga, ice skating, rock climbing, and paddleboarding. She’s also a talented artist who enjoys painting watercolors.
Maisie has a great eye for photography as well, sometimes serving as her own photographer for magazine spreads. She and Sophie even launched a social media app focused on creativity called Seriously in 2019. Music is another passion. Maisie taught herself guitar during the early Game of Thrones seasons.
And having studied dance too, it’s no wonder this multi-talented star also enjoys singing and songwriting as hobbies. Her varied interests and dedication to continually developing new skills is definitely inspiring.
What are some of Maisie Williams’ passions and interests outside of acting?
- Maisie enjoys staying active through yoga, ice skating, rock climbing, paddleboarding, and other sports.
- She is a talented artist who loves painting watercolor art in her free time.
- Photography is another hobby of hers – she sometimes serves as her own photographer for magazine photoshoots.
- Along with Sophie Turner, Maisie launched a creative social app called Seriously in 2019.
- She taught herself guitar during early seasons of Game of Thrones.
- Having studied dance, she also enjoys singing and songwriting as creative outlets.
- Her wide variety of hobbies and dedication to keep learning is inspiring to fans.
Willingness to Take Risks
One admirable trait of Maisie is her boldness and willingness to take risks in her career. She leverages her fame for more creative control. In 2020, she starred in the series Two Weeks to Live which she also executive produced. This allowed her to collaborate with friends and nurture other talent.
Maisie also started her own production company called Daisy Chain Productions to take more ownership over her projects. She’s enjoys challenging herself with unconventional roles too, like when she portrayed a punk rocker in the 2021 Sex Pistols biopic Pistol.
Even her distinctive sense of fashion – mixing luxury designer pieces with vintage finds – shows her fearless spirit. Maisie is carving her own path in the industry rather than following a prescribed formula. Her risk-taking and entrepreneurial approach sets a powerful example.
How has Maisie Williams demonstrated a willingness to take risks in her career?
- Maisie leverages her fame for more creative control and ownership over projects.
- She executive produced and starred in the series Two Weeks to Live in 2020. This allowed her to collaborate with friends.
- She started her own production company, Daisy Chain Productions, to develop her own content.
- Maisie enjoys taking on unconventional roles, like playing a punk rocker in Pistol.
- Her bold fashion sense mixing high fashion and vintage thrift store finds highlights her fearless spirit.
- Rather than follow a safe formula, Maisie forges her own path in the industry.
- Her entrepreneurial risk-taking sets a powerful example for fans.
Staying True to Herself
Given the intense pressures that come with fame, Maisie handles it all with grace. She stays remarkably grounded by surrounding herself with family and friends who treat her the same as they always did.
Focused on her craft, she avoids the party scene. Maisie also makes sure to keep perspective by remembering her life before Game of Thrones. She’s still that same ambitious Bristol schoolgirl at heart chasing her acting dreams.
While she splurges on certain luxuries now like first-class plane tickets, Maisie remains frugal and invested in her work not fame. By staying true to herself, she never seems changed by stardom. Her authenticity allows fans to connect with the real human behind Arya Stark.
How has Maisie Williams managed to stay true to herself despite the pressures of fame?
- Maisie stays grounded by keeping her childhood friends and family close who treat her normally.
- She avoids the party scene lifestyle, remaining focused simply on her craft.
- Remembering life before Game of Thrones helps her maintain perspective.
- At heart, she’s still the same ambitious girl from school chasing acting dreams.
- While she splurges on some luxuries now like first-class flights, Maisie largely remains frugal and invested in her work.
- By staying true to who she is, fame hasn’t drastically changed her.
- Her authenticity allows fans to connect with the real human behind Arya.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Maisie Williams has so many wonderful qualities that explain the outpouring of fan love for her over the years. From her humble beginnings and early struggles to her iconic Game of Thrones role, her comedic talents and activism work, she comes across as a genuine, compassionate soul.
Her lasting bond with Sophie Turner and willingness to take career risks also set a powerful example. Above all, Maisie stays remarkably down-to-earth despite her massive success.
For all these reasons and more, she remains one of the most admired and inspiring actresses today. No doubt her devoted fans will continue loving and supporting everything she does in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maisie Williams’ Appeal
What is Maisie Williams best known for?
Maisie Williams is undoubtedly best known for her portrayal of Arya Stark on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Her breakout role as the feisty, bold Arya over the show’s 8 seasons made her a global star.
How did Maisie get her start as an actress?
Maisie’s passion for acting began in childhood. She started taking weekend drama classes growing up near Bristol. After some minor TV roles, she had her huge break in 2009 when she was cast as Arya Stark on Game of Thrones at age 12.
What shows and films has Maisie been in beyond Game of Thrones?
Some other notable projects of Maisie’s include The Falling, Doctor Who, Two Weeks to Live, Gen:Lock, Early Man, The New Mutants, and Pistol. She executive produced and starred in Two Weeks to Live.
How did Maisie become friends with her GoT co-star Sophie Turner?
Maisie and Sophie played sisters Arya and Sansa on Game of Thrones from a young age. Their on-screen sister bond developed into an off-screen friendship over the years filming together. The two remain very close friends.
What charities and social causes is Maisie involved with?
Maisie dedicates her fame to support various charities like Radio 1’s Teen Hero Awards and the UK Dementia Research Institute. She promotes feminism, environmentalism, and young creators through platforms like her app Daisie.
What are some of Maisie’s hobbies and interests?
Outside of acting, Maisie enjoys sports, painting, photography, singing, and playing guitar. She launched a social media app called Seriously focused on creative content.