Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams Wraps Filming On Final Season

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Game of Thrones veteran Maisie Williams has filmed her last scenes as fan favorite Arya Stark in the final season of the hit HBO show. The actress marked the moment with an appropriately blood-spattered image on social media, and showing her appreciation for the experience. She also throws in a knowingly mischievous hashtag sure to cause a few discussions online.

The upcoming eighth season of Game of Thrones is the final one for this timeline, and will supply the rightful heir for the Iron Throne of Westeros. It's proven especially difficult for fans to wait for, as it will provide definitive conclusions for the epic journeys that the characters have taken. Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) has gone from a demure princess to a strategist and possible warrior. Jon Snow (Kit Harington) has gone from "knowing nothing" to becoming a potential ruler of the kingdom. Arya's journey was perhaps the most compelling though, with viewers watching her transform from a feisty young girl into an efficient killer and shape-shifting assassin, while overcoming terrible obstacles and watching loved ones die. Williams' portrayal of the character, along with the authentic fighting skills that she's gained along the way, has made her one of the most popular members of the Stark family and certainly one that people want to see survive the inevitable cull.

Williams announced the official wrap on her filming schedule with a post on her Instagram. Accompanied by an image of blood-covered sneakers - presumably not Arya's choice of footwear in her final scenes - she gives an emotional thanks to the show, her character, and the filming location of Belfast.

Williams also includes the hashtags, #lastwomanstanding and #barely, as some mischievous asides which are sure to cause some discussion online. The reference to being the last woman standing could be read as being a potential spoiler pointing to the fact that Arya will outlive some of the other major female characters, like her sister Sansa and would-be Queen Daenerys. Then again, it could just simply point to the fact that she is one of the last female cast members to complete her scenes on the set. It wouldn't be the first time that a GOT actor has sparked fan theories about the series finale, as Turner's recent tattoo caused many to assume the Stark family will survive. But Williams is savvy enough to realize the effect her words might have. The presence of blood however does suggest that those surviving from her kill-list (Cersei especially) might have a grisly fate in store.

As the shooting gradually concludes on the show, other cast members such as Emilia Clarke have announced their final days as the characters. While we're still approximately a year from seeing the climax to all the storylines, it hasn't stopped fans from continually discussing who will die and who will ascend to the throne. Turner herself recently announced in an interview that the final outcome would be "unpredictable but satisfying" and wouldn't disappoint fans. Hopefully this will turn out to be true, and much-loved characters like Arya will be given the sign-off that they truly deserve.

Game of Thrones season 8 is expected to premiere in 2019 on HBO.