Indira Varma, best known for her role as Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones, is currently starring in the BBC period drama The Other Bennet Sister. The series, based on Janice Hadlow's novel inspired by Jane Austen's characters, follows overlooked sister Mary Bennet, played by Ella Bruccoleri. Varma portrays Mrs Gardiner, who becomes Mary's mentor.
The 52-year-old actress, who was raised in Bath and graduated from RADA in 1995, met her husband Colin Tierney in 1997 while performing together in Othello at the National Theatre. Tierney, 58, from Liverpool, is known for roles in EastEnders and Aircrash Confidential. The couple live in north London with their teenage daughter Evelyn, born in 2007.
In a 2014 interview with The Times, Varma recalled a 'horrendous' burglary at their home when she was heavily pregnant. The thieves stole a computer containing family photographs. She also shared a story about a mouse gnawing through wires under the floorboards, causing loud bangs that she initially feared were a burglar.
Varma expressed interest in working with her husband again, telling The Guardian in 2023 that she would 'love to do something fun' with him. The Other Bennet Sister airs on BBC One on Sundays and is available on BBC iPlayer.
