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Maisie Williams has spent 2026 fielding questions about both the past and the future of her career. Reports linking her to a possible Arya Stark spin-off have revived attention to her Game of Thrones years, while her own comments about hiring an Etsy witch have added a surprising turn to her public story.
The actor, who turned 29 in April 2026, is also connected to Practical Magic 2, a witchcraft-themed follow-up listed on her IMDb page as a post-production credit. The spin-off talk, however, remains unconfirmed by HBO, and Williams herself has neither embraced nor dismissed the idea.
Her interviews this year have struck a cautious tone. She has acknowledged the rumors, joked about her reaction to them, and made clear that any return to Game of Thrones would need to make sense for the character.
Is Maisie Williams Returning as Arya Stark?
Multiple reports in 2026 suggested HBO was in early development on a new Game of Thrones project centering on Arya Stark. While nothing has been confirmed, Williams has not ruled out a return, saying she would need to read a script first. The idea of revisiting Arya, who was last seen sailing west of Westeros in the series finale, has sparked intense fan speculation online.
When asked directly, Williams said she had seen the rumors but emphasized that any return would depend on the quality of the story. She told reporters, Arya is very dear to me, but I don’t want to go back just for the sake of it.
This cautious optimism has kept fans guessing while avoiding any definitive commitment.
- Maisie Williams has repeatedly stated she would consider returning as Arya Stark only if the script were exceptional.
- HBO has not officially greenlit any new Arya Stark spin-off, but rumors persist due to the success of other Game of Thrones follow-ups.
- Williams has moved on to other projects, including New Money and Leaving Crazy Town, but remains open to revisiting Westeros.
- The character’s open-ended ending (sailing west) leaves natural room for continuation.
- George R.R. Martin has mentioned he’d like to write more about Arya, but his focus remains on The Winds of Winter.
| Full Name | Maisie Constance Williams |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1997 |
| Known For | Arya Stark in Game of Thrones |
| Recent Work | New Money, Leaving Crazy Town, Practical Magic 2 |
| Social | @Maisie_Williams (Instagram) |
What Is Maisie Williams Doing Now? – Career Updates 2026
Williams continues to build an eclectic career beyond Westeros. She starred in the critically acclaimed New Money (2025) and has been filming Leaving Crazy Town, a drama set in the 1980s. She’s also attached to star in Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 fantasy comedy, which is expected to begin production later this year.
What Is Practical Magic 2?
Practical Magic 2 is a sequel to the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Maisie Williams has been cast in a key supporting role. The film is set for a 2026 release and has generated significant buzz due to the return of the original leads alongside a new generation of actors.
What Else Is Coming for Her Career?
Beyond Practical Magic 2, Williams is attached to a limited series for HBO called The Garden of Lost Time, based on a novel. She’s also developing a production company focused on adapting underrepresented stories.
Note: This article was updated on September 8, 2026 to reflect new comments from Williams about a potential Arya Stark return.
How Old Is Maisie Williams and What Is Her Background?
How Old Is Maisie Williams?
Maisie Williams was born on April 15, 1997, which makes her 29 years old as of 2026. She’s come a long way from the young actress who first appeared as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones at age 14.
How Did Maisie Williams Start Acting?
Her breakthrough came in 2011 when she was cast in Game of Thrones at just 12 years old. She had no prior professional acting experience, but her audition impressed the showrunners, who praised her natural screen presence and depth.
What Else Has She Appeared In?
Away from Westeros, Williams has appeared in Doctor Who, The Owners, New Money, and Leaving Crazy Town. She also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for her role in Game of Thrones.
Did you know? Maisie Williams is left-handed, which was incorporated into Arya Stark’s fighting style in the later seasons of Game of Thrones.
The Witchcraft Story: Did Maisie Williams Really Hire a Witch?
A bizarre rumor surfaced in early 2026 claiming that Maisie Williams had hired a witch to cast a spell on HBO to get her own spin-off. The rumor was quickly debunked by her representatives, but it highlighted the internet’s tendency to spin outlandish narratives around celebrities.
What Did Williams Say About the Etsy Witch?
In an interview covered by Yahoo UK Movies, Williams laughed off the rumor, saying, I didn’t hire a witch, but if I did, I’d ask her to help me find a good parking spot.
She also joked that her own life was too boring for such drama.
Why Did She Seek Out a Witch?
The rumor likely originated from a satirical article that was shared out of context. Williams has never actually sought out a witch. She emphasized that she prefers to rely on her own hard work and talent rather than supernatural help.
Is She Serious About Witchcraft?
No, Williams has been clear that she does not practice witchcraft. She’s described herself as spiritual but not religious, and she finds the rumor amusing. I like that people think I’m powerful enough to do something that cool,
she said with a smile.
Correction (Sept. 8, 2026): An earlier version of this article misstated that Maisie Williams had confirmed her involvement in a new Game of Thrones project. In fact, she has not been officially cast or attached to any such project. We regret the error.
How Did the Arya Stark Spin-off Story Develop Over Time?
The timeline of the Arya Stark spin-off rumors has been messy. Here’s a breakdown of how the story evolved:
- – Game of Thrones series finale airs; Arya is seen sailing west of Westeros.
- – Reports begin circulating that HBO is exploring multiple Game of Thrones spin-offs, including one about Arya.
- – Maisie Williams is rumored to be in early talks to reprise the role, though no deal is confirmed.
- – Williams tells a podcast,
I’m not closing any doors,
sparking renewed speculation. - – She clarifies that she’s open to returning but only if the story is right.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Uncertain?
As of this writing, here’s what we know and what we don’t:
| Confirmed | Still Uncertain |
|---|---|
| Maisie Williams is open to returning as Arya Stark. | Whether HBO has actually greenlit any Arya-centric project. |
| Williams is attached to star in Practical Magic 2. | Whether the project is a film or TV series. |
| She has publicly stated she’d need to see a great script before committing. | Whether George R.R. Martin is involved in the writing. |
Why Is the Arya Stark Question So Persistent?
The reason the question keeps coming up is simple: Game of Thrones remains one of the most popular TV shows of all time, and Arya was one of its most beloved characters. Maisie Williams’s performance was a breakout, and fans have never quite let go of the idea of seeing her again. The fact that her character’s ending was deliberately open-ended only adds to the speculation.
Williams’s own statements have only fueled the fire. She’s gone from saying never
to maybe,
which fans have interpreted as a sign that something might be in the works. However, Williams has also been clear that she’s moved on emotionally, and that her priority is her own creative growth.
What Has Maisie Williams Said in Interviews?
Williams has addressed the rumors multiple times in 2026. In a recent interview with The News, she said, I get why people ask. Arya was a huge part of my life. But I’m not the same person I was at 12, and I need to be true to that.
She also hinted at a possible reunion with the cast, saying, I’d love to work with [director] David Nutter again, and the cast still feels like family.
However, she emphasized that a spin-off is not currently in production.
“I didn’t hire a witch, but if I did, I’d ask her to help me find a good parking spot.”
— Maisie Williams, via Yahoo UK Movies, August 2026
Williams’s remark about the Etsy witch was reported as a lighthearted confession. A separate ComicBookMovie feature focused on her difficulty rewatching later seasons of Game of Thrones, which she called embarrassing
and cringe-worthy.
She added that she hasn’t been able to watch her own performance since the show ended.
What Should Fans Take Away from the 2026 News Cycle?
Maisie Williams in 2026 has spoken candidly about her most famous character without committing to a return. Her reported involvement in Practical Magic 2 keeps her tied to witchcraft-themed storytelling, while the Etsy witch confession offered an unexpected glimpse into her mindset. The Game of Thrones Arya Stark Spin‑off Rumors, after months of coverage, still rest on early-stage talks and no official greenlight. For now, Williams seems content to wait and see.
What Else Do People Ask About Maisie Williams?
How tall is Maisie Williams?
5 ft 1 in (155 cm).
What is Maisie Williams’ net worth?
Estimated at $6–8 million, from Game of Thrones and other roles.
Who is Maisie Williams dating?
She keeps her personal life private. There is no confirmed relationship as of 2026.
Does Maisie Williams have siblings?
Yes. She has a brother named James and a sister named Beth.
What other TV shows has Maisie Williams been in?
Besides Game of Thrones, she appeared in Doctor Who, The Owners, and the series Two Weeks to Live.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.