Williams says she saw reports that HBO is developing an Arya-centered project, but she’s unsure whether she would return and says the character would need new development after her own personal changes since the series.
Maisie Williams confirmed she saw reports of an HBO project focused on Arya Stark but has not committed to returning.
Williams says Arya would need development to fit how both the actress and the character have changed since the series ended.
Williams describes the early 20s after Game of Thrones as difficult, citing the show’s end, personal transition, COVID, and an industry strike.
In a September interview with the U.K. Guardian, Maisie Williams addressed recent reports that HBO is developing a project centered on Arya Stark. Williams, now 29, said she had seen the reports and reacted with surprise: "I saw that, too! I was like, 'Huh?'"
Williams was 12 when she was cast as Arya and spent formative years on the show. She described the first half of her 20s as "just hell," connecting that period to several factors: the end of Game of Thrones, uncertainty about her next steps, a need for a break, delayed teenage awkwardness, the COVID pandemic, and an industry strike. Those experiences are part of why she's cautious about revisiting a character who anchored much of her youth.
Franchise activity around Game of Thrones
Since the original series ended in 2019, HBO has launched two spinoff shows: House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Separately, Warner Bros. is developing a movie tentatively titled Game of Thrones: Aegon's Conquest. The article also references that the original showrunners once planned a three-movie arc before the series concluded with additional televised episodes.
Related attempts with other characters
The piece notes past efforts to continue other characters' stories. Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, was once in talks about a sequel centered on his character. Harington said he didn't want to do anything that would do an injustice to Jon and that although he felt there was more to say, the right story wasn't found, so the project was set aside.
What this means for fans and the franchise
Reports of an Arya project are circulating, but Williams' response signals that a public report and an actor's participation are separate matters. Any successful revisit would require a creative rationale that reflects both the character's development and Williams' current perspective. The franchise continues to expand through other HBO shows and studio film development, so an Arya-focused project would join several parallel efforts rather than stand alone.
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