Maisie Williams

Margaret Constance "Maisie" Williams, born on 15 April 1997, is a talented English actress renowned for her captivating performances across various mediums. Bursting onto the scene in 2011, Williams made a striking debut as Arya Stark, a pivotal character in the HBO epic Game of Thrones. Her portrayal garnered widespread acclaim, earning her two Emmy Award nominations and establishing her as a rising star in the industry.


Beyond the realms of Westeros, Williams has showcased her versatility in an array of television roles. From portraying Ashildr in the beloved BBC series Doctor Who to tackling the challenging role of a cyberbullying victim in the British docudrama Cyberbully, she has continuously impressed audiences and critics alike. Additionally, her foray into film has seen her take on diverse characters, including the central role in the coming-of-age mystery drama The Falling, which garnered her critical acclaim and numerous awards.


Williams' talent extends beyond acting; in 2019, she co-developed the innovative social media platform Daisie. Designed as a multimedia networking app, Daisie aims to empower artists and creators, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and connect with like-minded individuals, especially those embarking on their creative journeys.


In addition to her screen endeavors, Williams has graced the stage, earning positive reviews for her performance in Lauren Gunderson's play I and You at the Hampstead Theatre in London. Her commitment to storytelling across various platforms exemplifies her passion for the arts and her dedication to supporting emerging talent in the industry.
With her impressive body of work and entrepreneurial spirit, Maisie Williams continues to captivate audiences and make significant contributions to both the entertainment world and the creative community at large.


Margaret Constance Williams, widely known as Maisie, entered the world on April 15, 1997, in Bristol, to Gary Williams and Hilary Frances (née Pitt). Hilary, a university course administrator, made the pivotal decision to step away from her career to wholeheartedly support her daughter's burgeoning acting aspirations. Despite her parents' separation when she was just four months old, Maisie found solace and support within her family, growing up alongside her three siblings—James, Beth, and Ted—in a modest three-bedroom council house in Clutton, Somerset.


From a young age, Maisie acquired her affectionate nickname due to her resemblance to a beloved cartoon character from The Perishers comic strip. She embarked on her educational journey at Clutton Primary School and later attended Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton. However, her passion for the performing arts led her to Bath Dance College, where she delved into a comprehensive curriculum encompassing musical theatre, ballet, tap, street, and gymnastics, nurturing dreams of pursuing a career as a professional dancer.


At the tender age of 14, Maisie made the bold decision to leave traditional schooling behind, propelled by the early successes of her acting career. Opting for homeschooling, she immersed herself in her craft without pursuing formal education examinations, prioritizing her artistic pursuits and the opportunities that lay ahead. This pivotal choice marked the beginning of Maisie Williams' remarkable journey toward becoming one of the most acclaimed young actresses of her generation.


Williams garnered widespread acclaim and accolades for her portrayal of Arya Stark in Game of Thrones. Despite her tender age, her performance resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, earning her numerous awards and nominations throughout her career.
In 2012, just her second year in the industry, Williams was recognized with the Portal Award for Best Young Actor and the Portal Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television, making her the youngest actress to achieve such a feat at the age of 15. Her remarkable talent did not go unnoticed, as she received the BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Actor in November 2013.


August 2014 saw Williams clinch the "Best Supporting Actress, Drama" title at the EWwy Awards, further solidifying her place as a standout performer. Subsequent years brought more accolades, including the Empire Hero Award and the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Television Series in 2015.


In 2016, Williams earned a spot on the nomination shortlist for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, marking another significant milestone in her career. The following year, she received a nomination for Best Performance in a Show at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.


In 2019, Williams' portrayal of Arya Stark in the final season of Game of Thrones earned her yet another Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series, along with multiple nominations at the MTV Movie & TV Awards and People's Choice Awards for various categories including Best Hero and Best Fight. Her exceptional growth as an actress was acknowledged with her second nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.


Daniel D'Addario from Variety aptly noted Williams' evolution from a novice to a seasoned performer, stating that she "swiftly proved herself a very gifted performer" throughout her journey on the show. With each accolade and nomination, Williams' talent and dedication to her craft shone brightly, solidifying her status as one of the most promising young talents in the industry.


In 2012, Maisie Williams showcased her versatility by portraying Loren Caleigh in the BBC supernatural thriller series The Secret of Crickley Hall. Additionally, she displayed her comedic chops in The Olympic Ticket Scalper, a Funny or Die skit that demonstrated her ability to tackle diverse roles. Williams further expanded her repertoire with appearances in the independent film Heatstroke (2012) and the short film Up on the Roof (2013), illustrating her commitment to exploring different genres and storytelling formats.


2014 marked a significant milestone in Williams' career with her portrayal of Lydia in the British melodramatic coming-of-age mystery film drama The Falling. Set in an all-girls school, Williams' performance earned her widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including the London Film Critics' Circle Award for Young Performer of the Year, Evening Standard British Film Award Rising Star, and the European Shooting Stars Award at the 65th Berlin


International Film Festival. The film garnered praise for Williams' "prodigiously gifted" and "brilliantly articulated" performance, solidifying her reputation as a formidable talent in the industry. Additionally, she appeared as Abbie in the Irish comedy-drama film Gold in the same year.


In January 2015, Williams tackled the challenging role of Casey Jacobs in the BAFTA-nominated Cyberbully, a Channel 4 docudrama television film that shed light on the issue of cyberbullying. Her central, almost solo performance was hailed as a "tour-de-force" by critics, showcasing her depth and versatility as an actress. That same year, Williams made a memorable guest appearance in four episodes of series 9 of the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, portraying the recurring role of Ashildr, a Viking girl made immortal by the Doctor. Her performance was lauded as "superb," further cementing her status as a rising star in the industry.

References

1.  "Everything we know about Game of Thrones' Bristolian Maisie Williams". Bristol Post. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
2. a b c London, Lela (12 May 2019). "Arya Stark: everything you need to know about the Game of Thrones hero". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
3. ^ "Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams: 'It's not all fun and games'". The Guardian. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
4. a b c "Maisie Williams on finding her style, growing up in the spotlight... and the final series of Game of Thrones". The Daily Telegraph. 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
5. a b "Newsletters Lead Innovate Grow Public SpeakingHow a 'Game of Thrones'- Actress Turned Entrepreneur Gave a TED Talk That Sticks". Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
6. ^ Kirkpatrick, Betty (1 September 2010). Scottish Baby Names. Crombie Jardine Publishing Limited. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-0-85765-652-0. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
7. "Maisie Williams: 'I was covered in blood and gnawing on pizza'". The Guardian. 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
8. ^ "Maisie Williams talks resisting stereotypical roles as she prepares to take Hollywood by storm". London Evening Standard. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
9. ^ "Maisie Williams". Empire. 2016. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
10. ^ "Watch Game Of Thrones' Maisie Williams and Her Brother Defy Gravity". Time. 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
11. ^ "Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams: 'I'm still petrified of my peers'". The Guardian. 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
12. ^ "Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was bullied after becoming famous". New Beat. BBC. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
13. ^ "Maisie Williams On 'Game Of Thrones' And The Future: "It Needs To Happen Organically"". Deadline Hollywood. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
14. ^ "Growing Up Game of Thrones". Rolling Stone. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.