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Entertainment • Actor

Indira Varma

Indira Varma is a British actress and narrator known for work in film, television, theatre, and voice acting.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Indira Varma is a British actress and narrator known for work in film, television, theatre, and voice acting. She made her film debut in *Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love* (1996) and gained wider recognition for roles in *Rome* and *Game of Thrones*. Her work has appeared in internationally distributed projects widely available to Canadian audiences.

Early life and education

Indira Varma was born in Bath, Somerset, England, and is of British nationality. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1995.

Screen career

Varma began her screen career with *Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love* and later appeared in a range of film and television roles. Her best-known television work includes *Rome*, *Game of Thrones*, and *Luther*.

Stage and voice work

In addition to screen acting, Varma has worked extensively in theatre and voice performance. Her stage work includes *Present Laughter*, and she has narrated and voiced characters in audio and game projects.

Recognition

Varma won an Olivier Award in 2020 for her performance in *Present Laughter*. Her career has been noted for its range across mainstream television, theatre, and genre productions.

Key facts

  • Indira Varma is a British actress and narrator with credits across film, television, theatre, and voice work.
  • Her first major screen role was in Mira Nair’s *Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love*.
  • She is widely known for playing Niobe in *Rome* and Ellaria Sand in *Game of Thrones*.
  • She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London in 1995.
  • She received an Olivier Award for her stage performance in *Present Laughter* in 2020.
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Canadian context

Varma’s work has appeared in internationally distributed film, television, and voice projects that are widely available to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Indira Varma?
She is a British actress and narrator known for film, television, theatre, and voice acting.
What is Indira Varma best known for?
She is best known for roles in *Rome* and *Game of Thrones*.
Where was Indira Varma born?
She was born in Bath, Somerset, England.
What was Indira Varma’s first film role?
Her film debut and first major role was in *Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love* (1996).
Did Indira Varma attend drama school?
Yes. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1995.
Has Indira Varma won major awards?
Yes. She received an Olivier Award in 2020 for *Present Laughter*.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Varma
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, debut film, and major screen credits.
  2. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/13/indira-varma-interview
    Supports: Born in Somerset, RADA graduate, early career, stage work, Olivier Award, and residence.
  3. Global Indian — https://www.globalindian.com/profiles/indira-varma/
    Supports: RADA education, notable television roles, and voice work.
  4. Wikipedia (Catalan) — https://www.ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Varma
    Supports: Birth place, profession, debut film, and television roles.