Indira Varma is reteaming with Torchwood collaborator in Doctor Who.
Varma joins showrunner Russell T. Davies for the upcoming 14th season, which Ncuti Gatwa leads. Gawta joins as the Fifteenth Doctor and has a host of new actors joining him in the series.
Varma joins new companion Millie Gibson, as well as Aneurin Barnard, Jemma Redgrave, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Jinkx Monsoon, and Jonathan Groff. Little is known about Varma’s role, but the official statement notes she’ll star as the Duchess.
Indira Varma is best known for playing Dornish leader Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones and Imperial defector Tala Durith in Obi-Wan Kenobi. She’ll next be seen in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Varma seems overjoyed in the statement: “I’m thrilled to be in Doctor Who and particularly excited to be crossing cosmic paths with Ncuti as the Doctor, and look forward to creating interplanetary mischief with him. I loved playing Suzie Costello for Russell T. Davies in Torchwood, so am thrilled to be entering this world again.”
The showrunner adds, “I’m overjoyed to be reunited with Indira after our Torchwood days, and this part is truly spectacular! A whole new audience will be hiding behind the settee when the Duchess unleashes her terror.”
Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary. Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will air over the festive period.
Doctor Who will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for the new seasons outside the UK and Ireland.
