Some pursue a certain pathway, only to ultimately realize they were destined for something else. For others, their calling brews beneath the surface, waiting for actualization. Varada Sethu’s entire career began when she realigned herself with the idea of acting as a vocation, a dream she was tired of visualizing and ready to wholeheartedly embrace. Since then, the British-Indian actor has found that every chapter, despite how unpredictable, ultimately unfolded how it should. 

Sethu had just finished an acting course, still buzzing from the high of an intensely emotional scene, when she received a call about Doctor Who. She was no stranger to the fantastical show, having appeared in one episode in Series 14. But this call was the advent of something new: she was offered the opportunity to be the Doctor’s companion, cementing her into a legacy of duos at the heart of the 60-year program. After Sethu’s appearance in the previous season, her role on the show felt like a “closed door;” one she was eager to open and traverse again. 

Despite that Sethu had only two weeks to craft her character, Belinda Chandra, before she was on set, she fell into natural chemistry with her on-screen counterpart, Ncuti Gatwa. Perhaps this is due to Gatwa’s clear enchantment—but also Sethu’s familiarity with metaphysical worlds different from our own. In the Star Wars spin-off series Andor, Sethu played a fierce rebel soldier; a far cry from Chandra in Doctor Who, but a manifestation of Sethu’s intrinsic ability to demonstrate authentic emotion in otherwise intergalactic situations. 

Days after the first episode of Series 15 premiered, Sethu shares her experience inhabiting the world of Belinda Chandra, and how science fiction media intersects with her own identity. While her return to the Tardis is unexpected after what felt like an almost-definite departure, perhaps it serves as another reminder to never let go of that instinctive calling. 

Before you pursued acting full-time, you attended veterinary school and earned a degree in wider sciences. When was the moment you thought, “Ok, I want to completely commit to my passion,” and dedicated yourself to acting?

I think I’ve always known I wanted to act, but dedicating myself to it felt like a long, slow process. I’d taken a gap year prior to going to university, and did a feature film in that time which was probably the catalyst—just realizing it was possible for me as a career. About a month into starting vet school, I couldn’t ignore anymore how miserable I was trying to make it work. I couldn’t unsee what it could be like if I was living my dream, so I dropped out. My compromise (for my parents mainly) was to get through a shorter science degree, but the light at the end of the tunnel was always to realign myself with my calling, which is acting.

You have a central role in Doctor Who Series 15, joining a long legacy of iconic Doctor-companion relationships that have brought new dynamics with each duo. How did you prepare to establish your character’s unique qualities and skills, and bring fresh chemistry with your on-screen counterpart, Ncuti Gatwa?

I actually didn’t get very much time at all to prepare for Belinda Chandra—I was given the role and the script about two weeks before I was on set! I had to pour a lot of myself into her to fill in the gaps and bring her to life, which makes Belinda as a character the closest thing to myself. It’s a very vulnerable position to be in, there’s not a lot to hide behind! But Ncuti just makes the work so easy and straightforward. He is a powerhouse performer with an energy that you can’t help but match. I think we have a natural chemistry that means we bring out the best in each other.

You also reprised your role as Cinta Kaz in Andor Season 2. Doctor Who and Andor are both set in science fiction universes, marrying fantasy and action. What is your approach to embodying characters experiencing worlds so different from ours, while maintaining human qualities audiences can resonate with?

My approach is exactly that—finding the human qualities in the characters’ stories. I strip away all those external details and try to gain an understanding of the character’s inner world, what their values are, what their goals and dreams are. When you then put that into context with what happens in the plot, it means you can find the familiar, human emotions at play—even if it’s at the helm of an intergalactic spaceship.

You’ve previously spoken on the underrepresentation of South Asian actresses in media, particularly in the sci-fi space. How has your experience as a South Asian woman shaped your pursuit of acting, and your work in sci-fi media?

I think it’s given me a drive to keep pushing, to succeed. Anything that changes the narrative towards it being a more inclusive and welcoming space. It shouldn’t be my burden, but I think minority groups often feel pressured to excel—that if we fail, it reflects badly on the rest of us. Mostly, I’d love for there to not have to be a discourse around representation, for it to be something we don’t have to address one day. Until then, I use it to feed my work ethic.

Working and doing press for two highly-anticipated shows at once is undoubtedly tiring. What are your practices to tap back into yourself and cultivate inner peace amidst different projects?

It is so tiring! I wish I could give a less cliché answer, but it’s honestly just taking the time to consistently check in with myself, and ask myself what my needs are in the moment. In terms of daily practices, though, I journal, I meditate, I try and move my body, and try and get as much sleep as I can. I’m also lucky enough to have an amazing therapist that helps me untangle a lot of my unhelpful thought patterns.

You’ve been dancing since childhood. How has this passion intersected with your acting, and contributed to your wider art as a performer?

I did a lot of classical Indian dancing, particularly Bharatnatyam and Mohiniyattam. Generally speaking, the classical dance forms are a form of storytelling and tend to be incredibly expressive; the dancer has to often embody all of the characters, be it male or female or human or animal. There’s an inherent physicality involved, and I think practicing it helped a lot in developing a fluidity and confidence in my body in conveying a message to an audience.

You previously stated in an interview that when you were selected as an honoree for the Newport Beach Film Festival, it was a moment which made “every decision in your life make sense.” In your life, do you tend to follow the “everything happens for a reason” mindset?

Not always, but sometimes when I look back at things that have happened in my life, the good and bad, it all seems to have fallen into place exactly as it needed to for all these exciting chapters to unfold in the way that they have. It also makes me feel better to relinquish control to the universe a bit.

Photographed by Naoki Fukuda

Styled by Dylan Wayne

Written by Julia King

Hair: Josh Knight at A-Frame Agency

Makeup: Stojanka Bulic at The Wall Group

Styling Assistant: Selena Aiyla

Location: The Peninsula New York

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