GAME of Thrones star Maisie Williams had undergone a massive transformation for her role in the upcoming AppleTV+ series The New Look.
But fans have been left divided after learning about the “restrictive” process that led to Maisie, 26, losing 25 pounds.
Maisie will play Catherine Dior, the younger sister of famed fashion designer Christian Dior, in the upcoming AppleTV+ series “The New Look,” which details his rise to fame and his rivalry with Coco Channel, set to the backdrop of World War II.
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During this time, Christian’s sister Catherine is a resistance fighter who took on the Nazis and survived capture, torture, and the Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Maisie underwent a huge transformation to play Catherine
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Maisie, who is most famous for playing Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, detailed the lengths she went to in order to play Catherine, explaining that she shaved her head and lost 25 pounds. She said the process was “gruelling” but that she kept “pushing” forward.
Maise, who previously said that she had a great shooting the series as she’d completely fallen in love with the fashion of the era, admitted that the process also took a huge toll on her.
She said: “It was very relentless. The process of doing take after take it really breaks down your character in a way. It’s not for everyone, but for me. I like to get lost in a role, and keep on pushing until we complete a scene.”
Maisie continued: “I was eating very little, meditating all the time, burning candles and incense in my apartment.
The actress explained that she also had to follow a very strict workout routine. “I had to be up at 4am to start sweating. The night before, at about 7 or 8 p.m. I was allowed to have something salty and dehydrating - some smoked salmon and a tiny glass of wine. Then I had a boiling-hot bath with lots of salts in it.
“And I sort of levitated to bed and slept for maybe three hours, and woke up and had a handful of nuts. I wouldn’t be able to sleep through the night at this point. I kept waking up and feeling like a marble inside a bottle, rattling around...”
Training for The New Look was unlike anything she’d done before, as “building muscle” was the focus when she was working out for Game of Thrones, rather than losing weight.
The transformation took a huge toll on the star.
“[The role] took over what I’m eating and how I’m moving and sleeping and thinking,” Maisie admitted.
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She explained that it affected all aspects of her life and subconscious, adding: “There was a lot of feeling restricted, almost like sleep paralysis, dreams of being trapped and attacked, and horrible visions of men in uniform.”
Maisie consented to put herself through this regime and previously said how important it was to lose weight for the role in order to do it justice.
The actress, who has been open about her own history of disordered eating, explained that she worked with nutritionists and trainers to do it “in the most safe, healthy way possible.”
And she said that telling Catherine’s story was worth the work, and that she was fuelled by her character's eventual happy ending. Catherine escaped imprisonment and moved to Paris and then Provence to become a rose grower.
“Every day of filming was a reminder that we were portraying a story of the horrors that humans are capable of inflicting on one another, but also the magic and the hope and the love,” Maise concluded. “Ultimately, we wanted to make a show that was uplifting.”
How have fans reacted to Maisie’s weight loss?
There’s no doubt Maisie deserves praise for her dedication to her work. However, some fans don’t think such extreme measures are necessary.
One X user commented: “Hollywood continues to glorify these unhealthy transformations, sending a damaging message about body image and the lengths actors will go for a role.”
While others said they found her weight loss regime “triggering.”
"[The role] took over what I’m eating and how I’m moving and sleeping and thinking."
Maisie Williams
“Why are actors publicising such dangerous methods of weight loss?” a third person asked.
Fans are worried that such extreme weight loss are being encouraged and could lead to unhealthy behaviours. People trying this at home wouldn't have access to the nutritionists and trainers who made sure Maisie was safe at all times.
What is The New Look about?
The New Look is set in the 1940s during the World War II Nazi occupation of Paris. It focuses on the pivotal moment in the 20th century when the French city led the world back to life through its fashion icon Christian Dior (played by Marvel's Ben Mendelsohn).
“As Dior rises to prominence with his ground-breaking, iconic imprint of beauty and influence, Coco Chanel’s (Juliette Binoche) reign as the world’s most famous fashion designer is put into jeopardy,” the official synopsis teases.
The series, which continues to depict the aftermath of the war, also shines a spotlight on Coco’s links to the Nazis.
“The interwoven saga follows the surprising stories of Dior’s contemporaries and rivals from Coco Chanel to Pierre Balmain, Cristóbal Balenciaga and more; and provides a stunning view into the atelier, designs and clothing created by Christian Dior through collaboration with the House of Dior.”
The New Look will premiere on AppleTV+ on February 14.
