Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
Speculation is swirling about the possibility of an Arya Stark spinoff following reports of George R.R. Martin meeting with Maisie Williams for a “secret project.” Fans of Game of Thrones might see this as a promising continuation, especially since Arya’s character largely emerged unscathed from the show’s lambasted final seasons. However, there are reasons to approach the idea with skepticism.
The Arya Problem: From Tragic Survivor to Superhuman Assassin
In the books, Arya Stark’s story is a poignant, often gut-wrenching tale of a skinny young child forced into a hard world where moral ambiguity is about the best one could hope for. Most of the times it’s abject horror and extreme violence directed against the weak. Her experiences in Braavos—training with the Faceless Men—are deeply rooted in themes of identity, loss, and the psychological cost of her transformation. These moments highlight the tragedy of a child being shaped into a weapon, a narrative typical to George R.R. Martin’s signature realism and bittersweet storytelling.
I admit, rooted for her when she was forced into violence as opposed to becoming a victim (basically something the Starks have been doing for thousands of years) and yet felt the tragedy of it all because she was so young, quickly getting used to the vile truths of the world high born “ladies” don’t often get to witness.
The last time we saw Arya in the books she had already grown numb to the violence and the cold blooded murder, honestly though, how could she not have been? Whether she went over the line killing Daeron is debatable as well. The Faceless Men obviously try to use her to their end but by that time she already proves hardened and difficult to leash, likely taking their lessons, adding in some skinchanger sauce and striking out back across the pond.
In contrast, the TV show speedran their way to presenting Arya as an unstoppable force, almost a superhero by the later seasons. From effortlessly dispatching the Waif (who was supposedly better trained and more experienced) and going from some refreshing E. coli baths in the refuse-laden canals of Braavos with several open dagger wounds to singlehandedly slaying the Night King in a scene that felt unearned because it wasn’t built up. All ’cause of some doofus waking up one day and thinking “Jon killing the Night King” just does not feel “quite right to us.” The character’s complexity was flattened in favor of crowd-pleasing moments.
This transformation, while maybe entertaining for some, alienated others who felt the show glorified her actions rather than exploring their consequences. I confess, I enjoy the Punisher for its mindnumbing over-the-top brutality. I love watching Castle as he creatively and gorily plows a bloody path through the hordes of nameless (and afterward mostly faceless) goons as much as the next man. But when I want to turn my brain off and let the club-waving caveman inside take over I’ll tune into that, not this.
Arya was more than that. There was a deep tragedy to a lost innocence and innate courage/empowerment weighing against each other in the scales of her morality. And in the books there still is. She develops her own code of justice to empower herself and avoid victimhood. Her premeditated murder of Daeron for deserting the Watch mirrors Ned’s execution of Gareth. But ultimately, Daeron was a kid as well, making his own choices, however stupid or immoral they were… it’s all debatable come fight me in the comments over it.
Would a spinoff focus on Arya’s internal struggles, or would it double down on her “unstoppable assassin” persona? If it’s the latter, the depth and nuance that made her compelling in the early seasons and books could be lost entirely. And I’m not exactly a glass half full guy on this one. Though I always stand ready to be pleasantly surprised.
Can Maisie Williams Carry a Show on Her Own?
Maisie Williams undoubtedly delivered a memorable performance as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, but it’s worth questioning whether she’s equipped to shoulder an entire series on her own. Arya worked best as part of an ensemble, with her story intertwining with other characters and playing off the broader narrative of Westeros and Essos as a whole.
While Williams is most definitely a talented actor, her career post-Thrones has leaned toward supporting roles and indie projects rather than leading major productions. This isn’t necessarily a critique of her ability, but leading a show of this magnitude requires a magnetic screen presence that can sustain audience interest week after week. Whether she has that star power remains untested, and skepticism is fair—though, of course, it would be wonderful to be proven wrong. Untried doesn’t mean incapable.
A Thin Foundation for a Spinoff, Though Not Without Opportunity
Arya’s ending in Game of Thrones—setting sail to discover what lies west of Westeros—was intriguing, but it wasn’t much more than a blank slate. Turning that premise into a compelling series is no small feat. What’s west of Westeros? How does Arya evolve as a character? Arya’s supposed journey would surely echo that of Elissa Farman’s hundreds of years earlier. Plenty of interesting stuff given the right showrunner. What challenges would she face that don’t reduce her to a caricature of a one-dimensional swashbuckler?
The only way I see it is that it has to shed light on a few MAJOR key mysteries plaguing the minds of us loreheads. This series could go a ways toward explaining the oily black stone found all over the place. Asshai, the largest known city by far is built entirely out of the strange substance, yet barely anyone lives in it, they lack a clean water source and children and animals don’t even seem to survive. Who could construct such an enormous city and why would they do it out of poisonous black stone entirely? A point Youtube personality David Lightbringer and others have brought forth many times.
Unless they didn’t, and these places got corrupted somehow after a major event that brought down the Great Empire of the Dawn. The speculation here being that the Great Empire already circumnavigated the globe in its heyday maybe even traveling from Asshai (the ultimate East) and arriving in Westeros from the West (founding House Dayne perhaps?)
There are many arcane secrets about magic and dragons to be revealed inside Asshai and beyond. And beyond would be west of Westeros if we’re talking a globe. Though on the other side, I think George would like to keep a lot of that shrouded in mystery… (OT But the first time I saw Alien as a kid I was so intrigued by the ancient spaceship and its occupants, my head ran wild with speculation of what it could have meant. Then Prometheus rolls around and it turns out its a couple of roided up Michelangelo statues with anger issues and all that intrigue deflates)
Though, if this show is brought as a flat swashbuckling pirate story, Arya’s isolated storyline takes a huge risk in feeling disconnected from the intricate political weave that defined Game of Thrones. Without the intrigue of court politics, rival factions, and the interplay of multiple perspectives, any continuation risks feeling hollow.
Lessons from the Jon Snow Spinoff
The Jon Snow spinoff was shelved because the creative team couldn’t crack the story, which should be a cautionary tale for any potential Arya series. A strong premise isn’t enough—it requires a clear vision, compelling narrative arcs, and the ability to do justice to one of the most beloved (and scrutinized) franchises in TV history.
Proceed With Caution
While the prospect of returning to Arya’s story might excite some fans, HBO and George R.R. Martin must tread carefully. Arya Stark is a character with immense potential, but mishandling her narrative could alienate fans who are already wary after the show’s rocky conclusion. And without the intricate storytelling that defined the early seasons of Game of Thrones, any spinoff risks feeling like a pale shadow of its predecessor. We all saw this when House of the Dragon was received with a warm welcome in its first season. Though now arrived in its second season that spell seems fragile (if not already broken) and they are skating on mighty thin ice…
It’s fine to hope for the best—but let’s not forget the lessons of the past. Fans deserve a continuation that lives up to the rich world Martin created, not just another empty spectacle.
