To the delight of fans across the globe, HBO's "Game of Thrones" will return for a sixth season in a few months. Unfortunately, Arya Stark will not be around as much to enjoy it. Actress Maisie Williams confirmed in a recent interview that season six features less screen time for her fan-favorite character.
Williams told Express that Arya will be appearing in fewer episodes this season than in previous years. She revealed that many of scenes were "split up," but that she feels that her story still "totally flows." When last we saw her character, she had been struck blind by the Faceless men for disobeying their orders. As images from the upcoming season reveal, Arya remains blind, at least for a time.
Although Arya may not be as present as in years past, Williams still had nothing but positive things to say about season six. As fans knows, the show is finally about to surpass the narrative timeline of author George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novel series. Wading out into this unknown territory should be exciting for fans, Williams says.
"And that's the exciting thing about this series. Although we're off-book, it means that they [the creators] can write the series as a well-rounded series without having to stick to certain plot points that are already laid out. So that everyone can have a nice arc and we can all have a pinnacle moment at the same sort of time, like you get one epic episode, and it works a lot more in their favor because they can shape the series as they want."
Martin has confirmed that there are roughly 15 characters that the show has killed off that are still alive in his novels, further cementing the idea that the show and books are two distinct entities. Still, it will be interesting to see how the series proceeds now that they have caught up to the books.
"Game of Thrones" will return to HBO for a sixth season on April 24.
