A new cast member is joining a spinoff set in the galaxy far, far away. According to Deadline, Indria Varma (Rome, Exodus: Gods and Kings) is set to join the Obi-Wan Kenobi series at Disney+. The prequel series is one of many from the Star Wars franchise that will be coming to the streaming service in the next few years.
The series stars Ewan McGregor (Doctor Sleep, Bird of Prey), reprising his role as Obi-Wan from the prequel Star Wars film trilogy, according to Deadline. McGregor will reunite with his film co-star, Hayden Christensen (Life as a House, Jumper), who played adult Anakin Skywalker. Christensen is set to portray Skywalker’s Imperial persona, Darth Vader. While details of the plot are still in early development, the series is to occur between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the first film in the original trilogy, Star Wars: A New Hope.
According to Deadline, Varma is known for many roles on stage and on screen. She appeared as Idris Elba’s wife in BBC’s Luther, and CTV’s Human Target. She made a mark in HBO’s Games of Thrones as the vengeful Ellaria Sand. Her most recent role is on ABC’s legal drama, For Life.
McGregor’s Kenobi was a Jedi Master and mentor to film protagonist, Luke Skywalker, famously portrayed by Mark Hamill (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Mandalorian). Kenobi also mentored Anakin before his treacherous transition to the Dark Side of the Force. Kenobi was portrayed by Alex Guinness (The Ladykillers, Lawrence of Arabia) in the original trilogy, according to Deadline.
According to Deadline, the show will be directed by Deborah Chow (The High Cost of Living, Flowers in the Attic). Chow directed two episodes of the Pedro Pascal (Wonder Woman 1984, Narcos) hit, The Mandalorian, which finished its second season last year. The Obi-Wan series will also be shot similarly to its predecessor, utilizing the StarCraft technology which allows the SFX backgrounds to appear on higher-resolution screens.
At least ten new Star Wars shows were announced last December during Disney’s Investor Day presentation. Some of the titles included an Ashoka series; the Rogue One-prequel series, Andor; and, the animated Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Currently, Disney+ is readying the third season of The Mandalorian, which is set for some time in 2022. It garnered its own spinoff centering original Mandalorian and fan favorite, Boba Fett.