Maisie Williams Explains Why the Final Seasons of 'Game of Thrones' Needed to Be Shorter
We have to admit, she has a point.

Game of Thrones fans were not happy to hear that Season 7 of the hit HBO show would be shorter than usual, with just seven episodes.
Maisie Williams, who plays forever badass Arya Stark on the show, is 100 percent behind the decision, though—and with good reason. Williams told Variety exactly why she supports the showrunners' decision to truncate Season 7, and we have to admit, she has a point.
"It sucks for the audience because they love the episodes, but what we'll never do on this show is drag it out, and I'm so thrilled about that," Williams explained. "Too many shows start out about making a great show, and by Season 6 it's about making money and all they want to do is write more episodes and make more money. This show makes a lot of money, and it would be easy for HBO to be like 'we're gonna do four more seasons and we're gonna extend them to 12 episodes.' I really respect David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] for holding their ground and for HBO to be like 'no... we're gonna tell this story and we're gonna end it and that'll be final.'"
At least she acknowledges that it sucks for the audience. Still, we do get it. Like Williams, we would rather the show end on top than drag on too long.
"Good things must come to an end or they're not good anymore," Williams told Variety. "It doesn't last forever and we've done what we came to do, it's time to wrap this up, and it will have the ending it was always supposed to have, and that's very special."
We're anxious to see that ending, but we'll have to wait until next summer for any new Game of Thrones. In the meantime, we'll adopt Williams' words as a mantra and just try to be thankful that the showrunners value quality over quantity.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Meghan Shares Photos of Archie and Lilibet's Vibrant Red Hair
The little royals most definitely take after dad Prince Harry.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Former Royal Nanny Opens Up About George, Charlotte, and Louis
"You see how grounded they really are."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Travis Kelce Emerges in Las Vegas Without Taylor Swift
The "Blank Space" singer was nowhere to be seen.
By Amy Mackelden
-
The Stars of 'Love Island USA' Season 6 Will Return to Our Screens This Summer
We're already clearing our summer schedules for 'Love Island: Beyond the Villa.'
By Quinci LeGardye
-
What to Know About the 'North of North' Cast
The new comedy follows a modern Inuk woman determined to transform her life.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'Yellowjackets' Season 4: Everything We Know
The showrunners still have plans to show how the girls get out of the wilderness.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Meet Isabela Merced, the Rising Star Who Plays Dina in 'The Last of Us'
We're already obsessed with this up-and-comer.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Meet Nicholas Duvernay, the Actor Who Plays Zion in 'The White Lotus' Season 3
We can't stop thinking about his scene-stealing performance in the finale.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'The White Lotus' Season 4: Everything We Know
Creator Mike White has already started teasing where the next installment will be set—and who might be back.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'Pulse' Season 2: Everything We Know
We need to know about the future of the central will-they-won't-they STAT.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
The Wild Ride of Carrie Coon
Laurie's deep-set insecurities come to a head in episode 7 of 'The White Lotus,' allowing the actress to turn a "dark night of the soul" into an illuminating time.
By Jessica Goodman