Maisie Williams reveals playing Catherine Dior was tougher than Arya, lost 12 kgs while filming

A few of the industry’s most gifted actors have risen from Game of Thrones to prominent roles in blockbuster franchises such as the Marvel and DC Universe. Unquestionably, one of them is Maisie Williams. Playing a variety of characters, the actress is experimenting with her comfort zone. Her most recent excursion in The New Look saw her transform into Christian Dior’s sister.

Maisie Williams says playing Catherine Dior was more difficult than Arya

Playing Arya Stark on Game of Thrones was no joke. But The New Look pushed the boundaries of her physical, mental and acting capabilities. Williams admitted to Harper’s Bazaar that the role of Arya Stark involved “building different muscles”; but this part “took over what I’m eating and how I’m moving and sleeping and thinking…”

“There was a lot of feeling restricted, almost like sleep paralysis, dreams of being trapped and attacked, and horrible visions of men in uniform. Every day of filming was a reminder that we were portraying a story of the horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on one another, but also the magic and the hope and the love… Ultimately, we wanted to make a show that was uplifting.”

Maisie Williams lost 12 kilos for her role in The New Look

Williams is known for going to extremes with her roles, including Game of Thrones’ Arya Stark. She did the same for The New Look, losing 12 kilograms to look emaciated. Maisie Williams told Harper’s Bazaar, “I was eating very little, meditating all the time, burning candles and incense in my apartment.”

“I had to be up at 4am to start sweating. The night before, at about 7 or 8pm I was allowed to have something salty and dehydrating– some smoked salmon and a tiny glass of wine. Then I had a boiling-hot bath with lots of salts in it. And I sort of levitated to bed and slept for maybe three hours, and woke up and had a handful of nuts. I wouldn’t be able to sleep through the night at this point. I kept waking up and feeling like a marble inside a bottle, rattling around…”

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