Maisie Williams' character in HBO's Game of Thrones, Arya Stark, was notably missing from the Game of Thrones Season 5 premiere episode, "The Wars to Come." But on Sunday's episode, titled "The House of Black and White," the adventure-driven young Stark came back in full force and was seen landing in Braavos, where she met with a new companion who will aid her in her new mission.
In a recent interview, Williams opened up about her role and what fans can expect from Arya Stark in this new season of the globally hit saga. In GoT's fifth season, the youngest Stark girl will explore a new storyline and, for the first time since Season 1, will get to have a significant outfit upgrade, according to the New York Times.
"The new season was wonderful because my story line was so different," the 18-year-old actress said. "But it was still like, 'Aw, I don't get to be with Rory.'" She also discussed her character's plans in Braavos, where she will start training with Jaqen H'ghar and the Faceless Men.
Referring to Arya's arrival at the House of Black and White, Williams said, "She's just looking for someone new and someone who will take her under their wing and show her happiness...She can become someone new for a little while." The actress explained Arya went to that place "because nothing else was really working."
The British actress also discussed Arya's relationship with the Hound (played by Rory McCann), admitting she was sad to leave it behind. She acknowledged that "Arya leaving the Hound for dead at the end of Season 4 was something that lots of people disagreed with," but that in Season 5 the viewers "might find out a little bit why."
In a separate interview with EW, Maisie Williams shared her thoughts on Arya's change of outfit, which has been long overdue since she debuted in the series. "We did a scene where Arya throws away her old clothes. That was such a release... was totally like a next chapter. It was emotional, and so far it's been absolutely my favorite scene to do," the actress recounted.
Williams also told Digital Spy that her character's future in Game of Thrones Season 5 is uncertain, stating Arya might not even make it to the current season's ending. "It's petrifying because no one knows what's going to happen," she said.
"It's nice because it means you get to surprise the audience and the people who've read the books - they still don't really know what's going on, but it's also very nerve wracking," Williams added.
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