Game of Thrones star reveals her Avatar: Fire and Ash villain is a “magnificent beast of a lady”

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Tell us about Varang, the leader of the antagonistic Ash people, who you play in Fire and Ash.

She’s a powerful and striking woman, the leader of the Ash clan. They’re unlike any other Na’vi tribe. After a devastating natural disaster cut them off from Eywa – the spiritual force connecting them to Pandora – they suffered immense trauma. Varang, a clever and resourceful leader, has found a way to utilize that pain and turn it into strength.

You know, Sam Worthington actually said I really went for it when I was preparing to play Varang! Honestly, I completely immersed myself in the role. I didn’t just learn lines; I really tried to become him. I spent a lot of time thinking about his backstory, his motivations, everything. I wanted to understand what made him tick, and I really tried to live and breathe like he would. It was a pretty intense process, but I felt like it was the only way to truly do the character justice.

What was your audition for Varang like?

I was really focused on living in a treehouse and starting a sustainable farming project. Then the chance to audition for Avatar came along, and I thought that would be a good enough reason to leave the treehouse for a bit! I’d always admired James Cameron, but when I met him, I was surprised by how fun and inquisitive he was. We actually ended up abandoning the audition and spent the time discussing farming and organic methods.

It sounds like you were at an interesting point in your life at that time?

I was at a turning point, deeply affected by the unfairness I saw around the world. I’d spent time in Calais helping to build shelters in the refugee camp, and then I’d be back on a film set wearing expensive gowns – sometimes costing around £9,000. It created a lot of internal conflict for me.

Filming Fire and Ash involved acting in a bare soundstage with a facial motion capture device, but without wearing a proper costume. What was that experience like for you?

This has been the most liberating acting experience of my life! It feels like being a kid again, just freely creating. You have to fully immerse yourself in the moment to bring this make-believe world to life.

Your grandfather, Charlie Chaplin, helped shape the world of silent movies. Considering that legacy, did it feel right for you to be working with such a new technology like performance capture?

It struck me how much this felt like coming full circle. My grandfather used to be amazed by silent movies – that was high-tech for his generation. While filming, I kept thinking about him and what he’d make of it all. I imagine he’d be embracing new technology like this himself if he were still here. It felt like a lovely connection, a meaningful echo of the past.

Growing up with a family history in the entertainment industry, do you find it both helpful and challenging as an actor?

For a long time, I felt I needed to earn the opportunities I received, and that feeling still creeps in sometimes. My grandfather accomplished amazing things, and I have immense respect for him. I now realize my achievements don’t need to compare. I’m learning to let go of self-doubt and instead appreciate the opportunities that come my way, rather than constantly trying to prove I deserve them.

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2025-12-02 22:34