... we have Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, respectively.
These were the toughest ones to find clues for, since neither one can be found on IMDB, YouTube, Google, or any of the other places I searched. When you google Maisie's name, however, you get a bunch of hits for Maizie Williams, a singer for an old pop group called Boney M. But of course THAT Maizie Williams was not our Arya, hence the clue that one player was NOT a boney pop singer.
Here's our Arya:

Sophie Turner was just as hard to find. No, she's not the middle-aged actress who played in the DR. WHO episode. She's not any of the other Sophie Turners that google will turn up, either. I thought about trying to cobble together some kind of "not Sophie Tucker" clue, but finally gave it up as a bad idea, and in the end I never did drop a hint for Sophie.
Here's Sansa:

(That's not the best picture, I know. Sorry, didn't have a lot to choose from. I am sure better pictures of both Maisie and Sophie will be forthcoming).
You guys cannot possibly know how hard these roles were to cast. I've viewed dozens of readings for both girls. Sweet kids, some with great looks, all of them bright and eager and enthusiastic... but good child actors are rare. Maisie brought Arya alive in a way that none of the other kids could match, right from the first. Sophie read two scenes; the scene with Arya on the kingsroad, and a much later one when Joff is forcing her to look at the heads on the walls. Two very different sides of the character. She knocked 'em both out of the park.
I think you're going to love these girls. I know I do.
These were the toughest ones to find clues for, since neither one can be found on IMDB, YouTube, Google, or any of the other places I searched. When you google Maisie's name, however, you get a bunch of hits for Maizie Williams, a singer for an old pop group called Boney M. But of course THAT Maizie Williams was not our Arya, hence the clue that one player was NOT a boney pop singer.
Here's our Arya:
Sophie Turner was just as hard to find. No, she's not the middle-aged actress who played in the DR. WHO episode. She's not any of the other Sophie Turners that google will turn up, either. I thought about trying to cobble together some kind of "not Sophie Tucker" clue, but finally gave it up as a bad idea, and in the end I never did drop a hint for Sophie.
Here's Sansa:
(That's not the best picture, I know. Sorry, didn't have a lot to choose from. I am sure better pictures of both Maisie and Sophie will be forthcoming).
You guys cannot possibly know how hard these roles were to cast. I've viewed dozens of readings for both girls. Sweet kids, some with great looks, all of them bright and eager and enthusiastic... but good child actors are rare. Maisie brought Arya alive in a way that none of the other kids could match, right from the first. Sophie read two scenes; the scene with Arya on the kingsroad, and a much later one when Joff is forcing her to look at the heads on the walls. Two very different sides of the character. She knocked 'em both out of the park.
I think you're going to love these girls. I know I do.
- Mood:
happy


Comments
I'm dying to know/see how Sophie portrayed her second scene (with the heads), only reading it almost made me cry.
Even though the pics aren't the best, I'm like both girls already.
Thanks for giving the info on the unknown kid actors. It's a little difficult to tell, but they don't look too far off from how I imagined Sansa and Arya.
I also agree with the comment below by Metalgoddess, she looks perfect when compared to several artist depictions, especially the one she mentions.
I think she looks perfect for the part. Sansa too, although I wonder if they're going to change her hair, since Sansa isn't blond. In the end, it's the story and acting I care about more though :) and it sounds like everything is working out well so far. I'm stoked!
I can't tell much from the photo of Sophie Turner, but I hope she's good. Sansa is my favorite character.
So far the overall casting is amazing. I can't wait to pick up my HBO subscription.
As for the actresses, I look forward to some better pics. I always suspected that a TV Arya would be more attractive than the book Arya, who I picture as somewhat horse-faced. I'm not surprised that I was right. I think there's a law about putting unattractive people on TV. I can only imagine what Brianne will look like.
Who and what she is should be enough to endear her to the people who would love that character. Making her pretty could only be a cheap attempt to get people who wouldn't otherwise like her to at least warm to the idea of her.
My fingers are crossed for a realistic depiction, but my hopes aren't terribly high.
That said, it's true that Maisie doesn't really look horse faced. I don't think following the exact descriptions is as important as getting the basic feel of the character, though. Arya needs to be kind of plain-looking, able to pass for a boy, but also not look awful to the point that growing up to look a bit like her Aunt did is out the question. I hope we get a better picture soon, but I'd say Maisie fits those criteria pretty well.
We are realy envious but seriously we wish you the very very best!!!
Have a great time on set!!! Its an awesome role...
My daughter Margot Berner tried to get an audition for Arya but we just didnt have the right connections! Sucks living in Canada sometimes...
George - If you ever need a kid actor again please contact us - Our whole family loves your work and think you are brilliant - !
Next time we dont want to miss the boat!
Margot would love to audition for you another day!
She was probably too old for the role (at 12 she plays 9 - 10 cause shes small) I know you were looking for a younger actress.
( Covering the bases in case anything will come of this...)
Margot is an actress best known role -she was the creepy kid that ate her mother in Supernatural episode "The Kids Are Alright"
She has a sword fighting link on you tube... just type in Margot Berner.
Seriously to Misie to get this role you must be an amazing actor - great job - have a wonderful time on set - and stay away from crafty until the end of the day... (Margot's warning - she made herself sick one day on set eating too much garbage at crafty)
I can't wait. This is going to be spectacular!