Maisie Williams‘s first professional role was Arya Stark on Game of Thrones, a job that’s earned her plenty of awards, a new best friend, and her fair share of fame. But even after starring as one of Winterfell’s finest for seven (soon to be eight!) seasons, Maisie feels that, thanks to Hollywood’s shallow views on beauty, there’s no guarantee she’ll be able to land another role as good as Arya.
In an interview with The Irish Times this week, the 20-year-old spoke about how she feels her looks might impact her future in acting. “It’s only now I’m starting to realize the characters that are available to me because of the way I look and the characters that aren’t available to me,” she said. “It’s a very shallow industry. And I don’t look like someone who is cast in roles that are, well, sexualized. Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely in awe of Hollywood’s leading ladies. I love looking at those totally jaw-droppingly beautiful women. But I think it’s sad that you only get to see one type of beautiful on screen.”
She’s right: Even after all the strides we’ve made in recent decades, the majority of women in movies and TV shows are still thin with classically beautiful features. Though Maisie may feel that she’s somewhat excluded from this stereotype, as a thin, white woman, she’ll likely have an easier time landing roles than will other non-white, non-sample-size actresses her age. Of course, it’s nonetheless important that Hollywood embrace diversity in all senses of the word.
Maisie also spoke about learning to embrace feminism as she spent her formative years in the spotlight. “I didn’t even know what the word ‘feminist’ meant until I became an actress. Within my family, I never felt that I had to conform to any kind of types. I had no idea about what was typically male or typically female. I didn’t even know about skin color,” she said. “I think it’s quite lovely that I was so clueless.” That said, she did admire powerful feminist icons—you know, like a certain claymation chicken. (Yes, really!) “Growing up, I loved Chicken Run, because it’s driven by Ginger, who is such a fantastic character,” said Maisie, whose next film role is in Early Man, from the people behind Chicken Run. “So to be a part of that same world, and to be playing another woman who is popular for her talents and not for her looks, and whose main story arc has nothing to do with the interest of boys, is very cool.”
Related: Sophie Turner Just Revealed Her Best Friend Maisie Williams’ Most Embarrassing Moment
