Maisie Williams explains why 'Two Weeks To Live' fight scenes were more 'emotional' than her 'GoT' ones (exclusive)
Maisie Williams has compared the differences between her fight scenes in her latest TV role and her famous stint as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, calling her newer stunts “more emotional”.
The star is the lead in new black comedy Two Weeks To Live, which also stars Fleabag’s Sian Clifford, and marks Williams’ first major TV roles since the fantasy series ended last year.
Two Weeks To Live follows a young woman, Kim Stokes, who is described as a strange misfit because she has been living with her mother in a rural getaway away from society ever since the mysterious death of her father when she was still a young girl.
Now embarking on adulthood, Kim escapes and ends up in numerous fights as she uncovers the truth behind her dad’s death, all while falling victim to a prank gone wrong, leaving her to believe she only has a fortnight to live.
Read more: Maisie Williams was happy with Arya’s Game of Thrones ending
Speaking about the similarities between GoT’s Arya and Kim, Williams explained to Yahoo why this role is also different.
“I worked with Jo McLaren who was our stunt coordinator and the first female stunt coordinator that I'd ever worked with. And she was incredible,” she said.
Referring to Arya’s multiple medieval-style fight scenes, the actress said: “And I've never really done hand to hand combat, I usually use weapons and swords and things like that.”
She added: “Actually I find it so much more enjoyable, because there's a certain etiquette that comes with using different weapons and like do's and don'ts and angles that look good and don’t look good.
“And it's really nice but it's like a discipline which is not very real or, emotional, you know, and so there's something really emotional about hitting someone in the face with your bare fists. It’s just more realistic.”
Williams elaborated: “Not that I’d hit anyone in the face, but if I was going to, I probably wouldn’t pick up a sword!
“So it felt more honest. And, yeah, I really, really enjoyed that!”
During her adventures Kim meets brothers Nicky (Mawaan Rizwan) and Jay (Taheen Modak) who convince her that the world is going to end following a nuclear attack.
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The actors revealed that the original storyline involved a virus outbreak, but following the real life coronavirus global pandemic, the show makers decided to adapt the script to something less close to home.
Two Weeks To Live will air on Sky One on Wednesday 2 September at 10pm.
All six episodes will also be available to stream from the same date on both Sky on demand and Now TV.
