Indira Varma is The Duchess

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 - Reported by Marcus

Indira Varma (Credit: BBC Studios / Disney)

The BBC has announced that award-winning actress Indira Varma will join the next series of Doctor Who.

The actress first encountered the world of Doctor Who when she played Suzie Costello in Russell T Davies’ spin-off series Torchwood, It was a role she repeated for Big Finish Audio productions.

Varma now steps aboard the TARDIS in her new mysterious role as the Duchess.

Indira Varma has made her mark onscreen, from her recent role as Ingrid in the thriller series Obsession to her performance as Ellaria Sand on the multi-award-winning Game of Thrones. She now joins Doctor Who from across the galaxy after recently starring in Disney+’s record-breaking Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Varma has also been celebrated onstage, winning an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Liz Essendine in Present Laughter as well as starring in other major theatre productions including the acclaimed Man and Superman and Jamie Lloyd’s production of Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Speaking of joining Doctor Who, Indira Varma says:

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.

Showrunner, Russell T Davies says:

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.