Game of Thrones amassed one of the highest viewership numbers any show has seen in the past decade. The final season of the series was one of the most awaited programs of 2019. The episode ‘The Long Night’ in which Arya Stark slays the Night King had a viewership of 17.8 million!
It was a shocking turn of events when Arya stabs the Night King, ending his reign of terror forever. However, many of the fans desired for a different way of killing the Night King. A death by the hands of the show’s other protagonist Jon Snow.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Maisie Williams, who played the role of Arya Stark, revealed the original plans for the death of Night King. Everyone, including Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, believed he would be the one killing the villain. It turns out, the showrunners always had Arya Stark in their mind.
“[Kit Harington] expected it to go [Jon Snow’s] way, too, and he even said, ‘It was going to go that way. Someone told me in season three that I was going to kill The Night King,’” Williams shares. “And then, he read the script, and it was Arya the whole time. Yeah, I think it would’ve been too obvious. I’m glad that it was Arya, honestly. I think I had the best storyline of the final season.”
The death of the Night King in the third episode of season 8 was indeed satisfying. Most of the fans hoped it would be Jon Snow because he had the best experience fighting against the White Walkers (someone else was killed by Jon Snow). Arya landing the killing blow was surprising for all the fans worldwide.
What do you think about Maisie’s reveal? Tell us in the comments below.
