Indira Varma Talks Going From ‘Game Of Thrones’ To ‘Star Wars’

Actress Indira Varma has left “Game of Thrones” and the world of Westeros for a galaxy far, far away.

In episode 3 of the Star Wars limited Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Varma was introduced as an undercover Imperial Officer by the name of Tala.

The script went through many changes before it was eventually filmed, and Varma told Entertainment Weekly that Tala was originally supposed to be a love interest for the titular Kenobi.

Verma told the publication that “there had already been different incarnations of the script and the story line, and I think, originally, she was going to be a love interest.”

However, she said the writers felt that “it was maybe a bit clichéd where always the woman turns up and they fall in love or whatever.” She added, “It's more interesting that this is a woman with agency who is not just going to fall at the feet of Obi-Wan.”

However, Varma did admit to working some affection into her performance. “I do think in my heart that she's in love with him because she's prepared to give up everything to further his quest and to help him out,” she said. “So that's my little secret thing that's going on inside.”

There are six episodes in the limited series, so there are still three episodes left until Tala’s fate is revealed. That being said, EW still asked her about the possibility of having her character pop up somewhere else in the franchise.

Varma’s response? “You can’t think in that way,” she told them, saying that it was danger to “be wishing for something that’s not going to happen.”

“Obviously, if it were to be a possibility where we go into her back story or anything like that, it would be amazing. It would be incredible,” she continued. “So yeah, I'd love that. Because you do think, my God, how can this person work for both sides? It's so dangerous. How did it first happen? I was curious about that. I'd like to know too.”

Varma also had nothing but positive things to say about working with Ewan McGregor, calling the scenes they shared “just so easy.”

“Working with Ewan, it was just so easy,” she continued. “He's the loveliest guy and he's such a laugh. I mean, it was dangerously giggly, to be honest.”

“We did get told off a couple of times for giggling, but I think that's what's so lovely,” she added. “It's kept alive. You feel like this is not somebody who's phoning in some performance that he's already thought of before he got to set. He is playing with you. It feels collaborative. You always feel that there's this huge element of respect for the material and he elevates it in his attitude and his work ethic.”

Varma admitted that “I don’t come from a place of being a massive fan” when her manager approached her with the role, so she admitted to watching “The Mandalorian,” which stars her “Game of Thrones” costar Pedro Pascal.

“I thought it was fantastic, and I was really engaged with it,” she said. “I loved the humor in it. I loved the humanity in it.”

She also praised director Deborah Chow, saying that she was “so easy to talk to” and “was obviously so engaged with and interested in us as actors and what we have to bring, and in emotional journeys and in relationships. Which is, of course, why I'm interested in acting.”

Varma continued, “And I felt like, actually, there's a lot here that's going to be fun to do. Plus, who doesn't want to work with Ewan? And who doesn't want to be in the Star Wars world? So many boxes were ticked, I was really excited.”

She also described her first day on set, saying, “My first day, I walk up and there are a bunch of Stormtroopers and I kept having to stop and take a breath because it was just incredible. And I kept laughing. I kept giggling because it was just too wonderful. And then also, seeing Darth Vader, your heart is beating faster just seeing him there live in front of you. This is in 3D! It was really exciting.”

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” is currently available to stream on Disney+.