Somerset-born actress Maisie Williams, best known for her role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, received an honorary doctorate from Bath Spa University, where she shared heartfelt gratitude and inspiring advice during the graduation ceremony.
At just 29, Maisie acknowledged the unconventional path that led her to this moment, having left Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton at age 15 to pursue her acting career. “I want to say a massive thank you to my mum for letting me leave school to chase my dreams. It worked out in the end!” she joked during her acceptance speech.
Though a proud Bristol City fan, Maisie playfully noted that the Bath Spa gowns matched the colors of rivals Bristol Rovers, adding a lighthearted touch to the ceremony held in Bath’s Forum, where 1,500 students celebrated their achievements.
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Her rise to international fame brought critical acclaim, including two Emmy nominations and multiple Screen Actors Guild nods. Recently, she completed filming Practical Magic 2 alongside Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, and Joey King.
Awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Vice-Chancellor Georgina Andrews, Maisie also highlighted her role as founder of Daisie, a social media platform fostering creativity across arts, fashion, TV, film, photography, music, and literature. Additionally, she supports The MAZI Project, a charity tackling food poverty in Bristol.
To the new graduates, she offered empowering advice: “Whenever I’m doing something that scares me, whether that’s learning a new skill, walking into an audition, or sitting in an important meeting, I always whisper to myself, ‘Just rock it.’ Let go. Stop worrying about getting it right. Stop wondering if you’re good enough or qualified enough. Just get in the zone and ROCK it. There is no one else like you.”
Looking ahead, Maisie is set to star in an upcoming BBC Radio 4 audio drama, Intimacy, alongside Game of Thrones co-star Lena Headey. The eight-part series, which begins airing July 27, delves into themes of consent, power, and vulnerability within the acting world. Playing the character Bunny, Maisie described the experience as refreshing: “No hair and makeup, no uncomfortable outfits, no early call time. Just pure vibes.”
Intimacy, written and directed by Headey, also features Hannah Waddingham and Alison Steadman and will be available as a boxset on BBC Sounds.