"Game of Thrones" is heading to its fifth season in 2015. In the past four seasons, viewers not only witnessed the development of the characters (and the gruesome death of many), they also watched the actors grow and age during the process.
One prominent cast member who literally grew up before the eyes of "GoT" fans is Maisie Williams who plays Arya Stark in the series. She was 14 when season 1 aired in April 2011 and she will be 18 when the fifth season airs next year. She was first seen in the series' premiere episode "Winter is Coming" when the Starks of Winterfell were introduced, and she appeared in 34 of 40 episodes aired so far. The last time fans saw Williams' Arya, she was on a ship headed for Braavos to face the unknown.
From the very first, it was made clear that Arya is not one for dresses and sewing and other activities expected of a noblewoman. Rather, she is more at home with archery and swordfights. Good thing, too, because her knack for living rough and tough, not to mention her wits and fearlessness, has kept her alive these past years.
But her life will take a different turn in season 5, quite different from the dangers she faced since escaping King's Landing following her father Ned Stark's beheading. If the TV series will stay true to the plotline in "A Feast of Crows," the fourth book in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire," then fans can expect her to gain refuge in the House of Black and White under the wing of the Faceless Men, a guild of assassins. They train her into their art and, in the process, she has to learn to be anonymous — that is, to be someone else and blend in into whatever environment she is in.
This is very likely to happen because the sketch of Williams' costume posted by Entertainment Weekly is a far cry from Arya's usual garb of ragged top and trousers. Designed by costume designer Michele Clapton, it signifies a big change in the character's life.
"I had my hair braided up to these big buns and bits of jewelry and a jumper thing with a long skirt, and I came onto the set and nobody recognized me," Williams told EW.
She also said, "I love Arya's new look. It's very neutral, very plain, but clean! I have clean hair that actually moves."
The render is very similar to what Williams is wearing in the leaked photo posted in fan website Watchers on the Wall.
