LIFE AFTER GAME OF THRONES Maisie Williams Brings the Drama

SHE FOUND FAME AS A TEEN HEROINE. NOW THE STAR TAKES ON A GROWN-UP (AND VERY FASHIONABLE) CHALLENGE IN THE NEW LOOK

-  JASON SHEELER

Maisie Williams was just 12 when she was cast as sword-wielding spitfire Arya Stark on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Over the course of eight seasons her gutsy character grew into a hero, as off-camera Williams, now 26, simply grew up. She learned a few lessons, but she was able to keep the foibles of her teenage years mostly under especially since she joined Instagram after the show became a hit. "I never have to look back and say, 'I can't believe I posted that!" she says with a laugh.

These days the British actress is a fashion darling, appearing at the Met Gala, sitting front row at runway shows and lately showing off her love for '40s-inspired ensembles. That's because she's starring in The New Look, a new series on Apple TV+ that chronicles the world of Parisian couture as it collided with and recovered from the horrors of World War II. The show was an inspirational experience for Williams, who plays Catherine Dior, the sister of legendary designer Christian Dior. "It's ultimately a show about creation and survival," says Williams. "What we see is these people making something beautiful from the darkest times in their lives." Many of the themes hit home for the actress. "For a lot of people, right now is a scary time in the world."