As much as we, the fans, are dreading the end of Game of Thrones, it’s understandable that some some of the cast members are rather looking forward to it.
Maisie Williams, who’s been playing Arya Stark since she was fourteen years old, admits that she’s “excited” for her tenure in Westeros to end. In other news, while campaigning for men’s mental and physical health, Ben Crompton hinted at the enormous scale and spectacle of the final season.
In an interview with New Beat, Maisie Williams, who’s recently started her own production company, discussed her interest in independent filmmaking.
“Coming back here and listening to all the films nominated and getting back into watching independent films just makes me realise how much I miss it. It’s the only place I’ve ever really wanted to be to be honest.”
Williams said she’s looking forward to Game of Thrones finishing so that she can pursue other projects.
“On one hand it’s really nerve wracking to know that I won’t have that support blanket and safety net, but on the other hand I’m free,” she said. “I’d love to do a British independent film, I’d love to make it and I’d love to be in it. There are a couple of directors that I’d love to work with – Dexter Fletcher being one. I’d like to just do some work here, for Britain.”
Ben Crompton was recently in Ashington to promote Movember, a campaign to encourage men to attend to their mental and physical health. In an interview with Chronicle Live, Crompton discussed season 8 of Game of Thrones … vaguely.
“I can just tell you it’s brilliant,” he said. “Honestly there’s a couple of things there that are like nothing else that’s been seen on telly. It’s been on seven years now, so we’ve got a good dynamic amongst the actors. It can be slow sometimes because of the detail that goes into it – you’re making films basically. It takes time but the end result is quality television.”
Of course, he also talked about men’s health and the need for men struggling with physical or mental illnesses to seek help.
“We’re encouraging people with any mental issues, any concerns, to go and talk to people,” he said. “Talk to friends – if you don’t have friends you feel you can talk to, go and see the doctor and they’ll point you in the right direction. You’re not alone at all.”
Dolorous Edd shall be the last man standing !
Really, that would be so neat !
Just him complaining as he’s digging graves, patiently waiting for spring.
They need strong [health/mental] supporting actors ..bcoz there will be the Last Battle between the living and the dead and it will be brutal..Also i will love to see Maisie after GOT in movies and shows..She is really talented actress..
Jon Snow dies at the end I’ve already seen it! He makes this epic last stand and then gets shot in the chest by a musket – then they hang his head on a wall. ………… or was that something else?
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Ben more…
Go Maisie! She’s got a ton of drive and I have no doubt she’ll be successful. 😊
Ah, so glad Dolorous Edd will be back… and will perhaps last at least some way through S8…
Maybe Ben Crompton is just saying things but I got the impression he knows at least some things about the new season, which he wouldn’t if he wasn’t in it – and I hope he gets more to do than last season, lol!
Dolorous Edd is one of my absolute favourite minor characters, also in the books, and Ben Crompton embodies him so perfectly.
The show probably spoiled a future book thing in S5, as in the books,
Ever since reading ASOS (in which Jon’s election takes place) I’ve giggled to myself about Edd becoming (acting) Lord Commander, and the show has confirmed this.
Edd will be a good Lord Commander. He might not be the best fighter but he’s loyal and brave and his brothers like and respect him. I just fear for Edd and the whole NW (what’s left of it!)
I’d really, really want Edd to survive! Who knows if there will even be a NW, if one is even needed after all is said and done, but if the NW as an institution continues, who better to lead them than the seasoned veteran Dolorous Edd?
If there’s no need for the NW, grant him some lands and a keep in the Vale! (Tollets are a minor Vale house, Edd’s probably a younger son from a minor branch.)
Oh, and props to Ben Crompton for highlighting an important issue. Too often blokes delay talking about mental/physical issues because of misconceived ideas about masculinity. His GoT character at least talks about his fears and disappointments. Repeatedly and often. 🙂
talvikorppi,
Yeah,Edd along with Hot Pie are the most likely to survive until the end . Also i hope Maisie doesn’t forget that GOT is the main reason she even got these chances in the first place, didn’t like the bit about her being “free” now,feels a little ungrateful to me in comparison to the interview that Kit gave which he was more humble .
Captain Sparrow,
agree
The wait intensifies…
So glad to hear Maisie Williams is looking to the future, full of ideas, rearing to go.
She’s a talented actor but growing up on GoT has also provided her with unique experience and insight on plenty of other aspects of a production besides acting. I’m so pleased she’s looking to put it all to good use in indie films in her native country, not just using her GoT fame just to score parts in Hollywood blockbusters – nothing wrong in doing a couple of blockbusters, especially if the financial rewards enable her to work on less commercial indy projects. Very much looking forward to Maisie William’s future career.
Maybe one day people won’t remember her as “Arya Stark”, but for some other iconic role, or as a producer/director/writer of other things. But we “oldies” will always mutter “Arya Star, Arya Stark” in our rocking chairs in our care homes when the middle-aged Maisie Williams, a universally acclaimed actor/writer/director/producer for her diverese work collects a BAFTA/Oscar for one thing or another.
Captain Sparrow,
I think the interview put a “spin” on what Maisie said. My impression was that she had mixed feelings about GoT coming to an end – that she would miss the series which has been a part of her young life for a number of years but that she would enjoy trying new projects. I don’t think she was “dissing” GoT.
I didn’t get the sense that Maisie is ungrateful at all. I interpreted it the same way Dame of Mercia did. They seem like pretty normal, natural feelings to me.
Dame of Mercia,
That’s how read it, too. She’s grateful for all the skills and opportunities GoT has given her but she’s very excited about what comes next. Like any young person (and Maisie is only 20 or 21) would be.
Think of university graduates. They’ve loved uni but now they’re FREE and can do whatever they like. That’s how it feels on the runup to graduation and especially on graduation day. Real life asserts itself soon enough, but for a precious few months of your life you’re young and full of life and embracing the future and all its possibilities. You don’t look back even though you’re conscious of all the good things and hard work that have lead you to this point. To begin your own future.
Now think that GoT has, in effect, been Maisie’s high school and university. Of course she’s happy to “graduate” and begin her adult career.
I’d like to point out that Kit Harington was a 21 yr. old graduate of drama school when he got the role of Jon Snow, so he already perhaps had had a small taste of the real world, so his perspective is different from Maisie’s.
I don’t think Maisie is dissing GoT at all, she’s just so excited about potential future projects and so youthfully exhuberant about them that she forgets to add the usual caveats and polite talk for old crusties like us.
Mr Derp,
Agreed. And Maisie Williams was 12, not 14, when she started acting on Game of Thrones (2009). That commitment has been constant from pre-teen to young adulthood.
“We’re encouraging people with any mental issues, any concerns, to go and talk to people,” he said. “Talk to friends – if you don’t have friends you feel you can talk to, go and see the doctor and they’ll point you in the right direction. You’re not alone at all.”
Yeah, Edd, if you’re at Castle Black when my boy the Night King shows up with 100,000 zombies, I think you’lk have “mental health issues” that won’f be resolved by talking to someone.
Just kidding, of course. Ben Crompton is conveying an important message. Too many boys are taught to “suck it up”, and that it’s unmanly to admit they’re sad or depressed – let alone reach out for help.
Oh, I agree on Hot Pie and Dolorous Edd surviving. Somebody has to. If many/most main and secondary characters perish, we need familiar faces when spring comes.
I also realised why I like Dolorous Edd so much. He’s exactly like one of my best friends. His motto is “A pessimist will never be dissapointed.” But he never gives over to despair, he tries his best to avert disaster, and is happy when disaster is averted and he has been proved wrong. I’ve been trekking in the wilderness with this guy since the late 1990s, and sometimes his complaining does my head in, but when things actually get tough and rough, he’s the most dependable person I know. Complains about things but actions speak louder than words: he does what is needed and provides leadership. He doesn’t watch GoT – yet. I might try to entice him by saying there’s a character exactly like you, haha.
talvikorppi,
I hate it when articles take statements out of context and make it seem like Maisie’s an ingrate. She always stresses how thankful she is for the opportunity to appear in GoT, and the financial security it’s provided for her that now gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants to do in life.
If only all young actresses and actors could be so humble…
Ten Bears,
Well, Kit Harington is. Even more humble than Maisie Williams, as noted by commenters on this tread. Not to say Maisie isn’t, she is, but Kit, somewhat older, is perhaps more aware of things, now a thirty-something, who sees things differently than a barely twenty-something.
Kit is well aware that his “name” and financial clout, thanks to GoT, enabled him to produce (and play lead in) Gunpowder, a project close to his heart. I’ve heard great things about it, but it’s not available in my country yet. I’m sure it will be, and I’m sure I’ll watch it when I can.
Maisie now potentially has the “name” and financial clout to do her own project. Good on her! Very much looking forward to what it might be.
Totally O/T. My first day of wearing bifocals (yeah, age, you know) and my head is spinning. I was warned about headaches but I just feel nausous and my old motor memory of seeing well has been turned on its head. It’s all a good neck workout, though haha!
Arkash,
This would make me so, so happy.
Captain Sparrow,
I hate how people read things into these quotes. She’s been with the show for 8 years, shes eager to spread her wings afterwards. I read nothing in that quote that spoke of her glee to be rid of GOT or in anyway was ungrateful.
ash,
Ok,calm down now,there were like 5 other people that already explained that before you,it’s overkill,i get it !
Captain Sparrow,
Oh Captain, my Captain!
I hope you know that I – and other commenters – were calling out the clickbaiting pseudojournalists who twist Maisie’s words – not you.
Ten Bears,
Well,i wasn’t reffering to you but that ash guy/gal clearly reffered to me when he/she mentioned people .
Oh to be 20 again! Maisie and Sophie have been saying this sort of thing for a year. Being girls and young, they’re probably both chomping at the bit. Their interactions with D&D and statements in other interviews show they’re both exceedingly grateful for GoT. Maisie particularly must claim her place ASAP since she’s short and youthful; short stature usually becomes a casting demerit for older actresses (and actors), especially in the States, where looks absolutely trump talent. (I doubt Judi Dench and Imelda Staunton would have achieved half of their success had they been Yanks.) In recent years, Maisie had to turn down at least two juicy adolescent film roles, so she must be feeling the chill from “Time’s wingéd chariot”. But that’s now universal among the cast. These days Nikolaj, Kit, Liam and others are saying it too: they’re worried about losing the safety net, but wanting new challenges.
Stark Raven’ Rad,
I don’t know how tall she is but Kathy Bates is a non-glamour puss American actress who has managed to maintain her career into her 60s. With the UK being much smaller than the USA it’s perhaps easier for actors/actresses to mix theatre work with TV and film work in the UK. (Not saying it’s impossible in the US before anyone jumps on me from a great height). It’s a pity there are not so many repertory theatres in the UK as there were 50-100 years ago as they provided an opportunity for young actors to master their craft (is acting deemed to be a craft?). A deceased friend of mine used to work for the BBC (as a secretary) when she was younger and I seem to remember her saying the BBC had its own repertory theatre at one time. That may have been for their radio dramas. Of course, Stark Ravin’ you may know a whole lot more about this than I do. How the dramatic profession functions is not my knowledge base. One of my cousins has a son who is married to an actress (not a household name but she seems to work pretty constantly) but I seldom see them.
Captain Sparrow,
Captain, it was indeed the dodgy writing that sometimes masquerades as journalism that people (well this person at least) was “calling out” – not you as an individual. The British press (at one time I would have said it was the tabloids but nowadays I’m not sure how much faith I have in the broadsheets to be honest) has been known to ask leading questions and then misquote the words of the interviewee.
Of course was ‘calling out’ above should have been were ‘calling out’ to agree with ‘people’
talvikorppi,
I went down the bifocal route a while ago. At the moment I’m using an old pair of glasses dating from before I needed the bifocals because the bifocals are unwearable at the moment. I know one is not meant to sit on one’s specs! Actually my close vision is okay and I don’t need specs for things like working at the computer – it’s my distance vision, watching TV or anything involving long sight, that I need spectacles for.
Captain Sparrow,
Aaaand – I did not read the other five messages because I replied to you without seeing them. It makes me feel good knowing I am not alone in my reaction. And like TB said many of us are frustrated by what pseudo journalits twist and spin quote. Which is why we jump when we see it. No offense meant.
Captain Sparrow,
When I referred to people, I indeed meant people who spin and twist words – you just happened to be the one who got my attention!
Guy Fawkes Fieri,
OT: LMAO at your screen name, because Guy Fieri is from the little town of Ferndale… just 19 miles from where I live. 🙂
talvikorppi,
Given that the current Lord of the Vale is utterly useless, not to mention
let Edd become the new one. 😉