Game of Thrones was undoubtedly a huge career boost for most of the cast. But for Star Wars: Andor actor Faye Marsay, it meant having to leave social media due to the tremendous fan backlash to her character The Waif.
In Game of Thrones Season 5, Arya Stark arrives in Braavos and is accepted into the House of Black and White. However, she is subjected to cruelty and torture by Jaqen H'ghar's assistant The Waif.
The animosity between Arya and The Waif led to an action-packed fight by the end of the season and although the character is killed, that didn't stop Game of Thrones fans from hating on her.
The Waif turned out to be a truly effective villain, so much so that fans began harassing Faye Marsay simply for playing the character. Marsay recently spoke to The Independent where she opened up about how she was bullied online for the mistreatment of Maisie Williams' character.
"After Thrones came out, there was quite intense backlash at one point. Just because of the character I played," she said.
"[The fans] hated her. Because Maisie's character was, like, the one - and there I am, hitting her with a stick."
Sadly, Marsay decided to leave social media for a while but soon returned once all the online hate died away. Still, she admits that she is more careful whenever she checks social media.
"[It] can be a brutal tool, and we all know it," Marsay said. "Look at the mental health crisis that young people are going through right now - that's not just because of the pandemic or teenage angst!"
Luckily for Faye Marsay, she would move from one major franchise to another. She recently appeared in Andor as the Rebel leader Vel Sartha who is expected to return in the second season.
Andor Season 2 has not yet been given an official release date but is expected to premiere on Disney+ in August 2024.
Related: Ahsoka Star Natasha Liu Bordizzo Says Finding [SPOILERS] Lightsaber Is Just Part of Sabine's Journey
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