Having spoken to both Sophie Turner and Kit Harington about the forthcoming season of Game of Thrones, the actors both explained that the fifth series is the darkest yet – and that is a sentiment backed up by Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark.

Speaking to HeyUGuys at the Shooting Stars event at the Berlin Film Festival, Williams agreed with her co-stars, and gave us a vague insight into her character’s development.

“Yeah, it is (darker),” she said. “For Arya’s story-line it definitely is. We see her working in a new way. She’s being taught and learning in a new way that is not familiar at all and makes no sense to her – it’s aggressive.”

Though with the show returning to our screens in April, Williams admits that she gets a lot of pleasure about keeping all of the secrets to herself. “I’m not allowed to speak to anyone about. But it’s easy, and nice in fact – I know everything and you know nothing! I don’t want to blurt it out, I’m excited for other people to see it, but I want them to see it for the first time and enjoy it, rather than have it spoiled for them.”

Given the nature of the show, and how many character’s own respective storylines correspond with one another, it makes it easy for Williams to be a fan herself.

“Being a part of such a massive piece with so many other storylines means I can sit down and watch the show and enjoy it too, because there’s so many other things, it’s not just watching yourself for an hour every week, there is so much else going on. I’m a fan of the show too.”

That being said, she does like watching other TV shows too, to take her mind off work. “Although I love being in the industry, sometimes it’s overwhelming,” she explained. “You film a TV series, then you promote it, then you watch it, and you’re constantly surrounded by work. Sometimes it’s nice to have a release, so I love watching The Great British Bake Off. It’s just a nice release, because it’s intense doing interviews, but I can just go back and watch a grown man cry over a Victoria sponge.”

Williams first joined the show when just 13 years of age, and admits watching herself grow up in the public eye has been uncomfortable at times.

“Being 17 in life anyway is confusing and growing up and going through adolescence is tough for anyone. For that to be documented and out in the world forever is what comes with doing this career, but not something I took to amazingly. It was hard and it is embarrassing watching the awkward teen years when your face is changing and your body is changing. It’s odd.

“Looking at Emma Watson after the Harry Potter series when she cut all her hair off – I can totally understand it. I think it was just a chance for people to see you in a new light. When I have a break I want to do something drastic. Not like green hair, something that’s still cast-able, but something new, so people can actually see me in a new light. Maybe at that point I’ll know what roles I’ll want to play so I can do something to benefit that.”

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However her film work is taking off too – and with the starring role in Carol Morley’s The Falling coming soon – she also begins work on another shortly.

“I go to New Orleans in a week for a film called Devil in the Deep Blue Sea, which is an independent movie that I’m looking forward to, with Jessica Biel and Jason Sudeikis. I hope I’m going to have a good time – everyone says that New Orleans has great food and great music, and that’s my two main things in life.”

One film that she’s heavily linked to, is the cinematic adaptation of the immensely popular video game The Last of Us – though she admits it’s far off being official.

“Basically, the film came about and I expressed an interest in wanting to be a part of it. Lots of things that go on before they cast a movie, a lot of money they need to get and people to get involved. It was just a tweet I sent about it, but we’re not at that point yet. I hope when that point does come they’ll remember me, but there’s no film yet.”

The talented young actress is bound to go far in this industry – as she approaches her work in a mature way, simply wanting to work with those who inspire her, and help her progress as an actress.

“I’d love to work with Tim Burton at some point, just for the experience – because that would be crazy,” she claimed. “I still feel very confused by everything in this industry, there are so many different people, directors, actors, from small indie projects to massive blockbusters and I just want to work with good, genuine people who want to make good projects. Whether it’s a massive budget or not, that honesty is what I want to have in every single project and people who are passionate about something, rather than just wanting to get loads of money from it. This industry is very crazy for that, and I don’t want to be sucked into it.”

With that attitude, there’s nothing that will stop Williams from enjoying a prosperous career. Her latest achievement is to be included in this prestigious Shooting Stars event which took place last night, where ten young performers from across Europe are awarded an individual award each for their career achievements so far – as Williams joins the likes of Daniel Craig, Andrew Scott, Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander and Domhnall Gleeson in being presented with this prestigious accolade.

Speaking to the actress hours before the ceremony – where she was eventually presented with her award by Hollywood star Natalie Portman, Williams said, “It’s just nice to have been picked out of so many amazing actors in the UK, and be asked to join this already fantastic group of people. So I’m really grateful for that.”