Earrings by Ryenn’s Eyes
Dress by POET-LAB

Disney+’s Andor has carved out an intriguing space in the Star Wars universe, featuring a rebellion at its core and a host of new characters and storylines to explore. One of these newcomers is Kleya Marki, beautifully portrayed by actress Elizabeth Dulau. Acting alongside Stellan Skarsgård (who plays Luthen Rael), she shines once again in the show’s highly anticipated second season, which was released on the streaming platform late last month. Dulau discusses the behind the scenes of filming Andor, her introduction into the Star Wars world, and more below!

Earrings by ESSĒN, the label
Necklaces (top to bottom) by Ryenn’s Eyes, Edblad
Top by Ruaa Elmansuri
Skirt by Ruaa Elmansuri
Bracelets (top to bottom) by Ryenn’s Eyes, Edblad
Rings (from left to right) by BOULO, Edblad, Ryenn’s Eyes
Shoes by ROSAMUND MUIR

How much did you know about the Star Wars world prior to joining the Andor cast?
I have to admit this world passed me by as a kid, I only knew the very basics Luke Skywalker = good and The Empire = bad! So I’ve really relished getting into it all as an adult. What I love most about this show though is that you don’t need to know anything about Star Wars to appreciate it. Tony has created a show about revolution inspired by thousands of years of human history so anyone who has an interest in the social or political mechanisms of an uprising will appreciate this story.

You embody Kleya Marki, a master of disguise who also possesses a true loyalty to the cause. What excites you most about portraying her?
I’m really excited for audiences to see a different side to Kleya this season. In season one, I had a lot of fun with the disguise element and building this very controlled and calculating character. But in the second, I had the opportunity to mess with all that which was such a gift. She goes on a huge journey and changes a lot. In the final arc of this season, you see some warmth and vulnerability eventually break through that hard exterior. I think this is my favourite element of Kleya - the warring tension between her tough outer self and all the softness underneath.

Dress by CRITTER
Earrings by Ryenn’s Eyes
Hand Bangle by Annabel B
Bracelet by Edblad
Rings by Edblad

How did you approach playing Kleya? What did you do to prepare for the role?
I approached both seasons quite differently. In season one, I didn’t know her back story so I really tried to focus on her characteristics that I could glean from the scripts and conversations with Tony. For season two, I had this wonderfully rich backstory that Tony talked me through so I could really go to town investing in Kleya and Luthen’s relationship. I use daydreaming a lot in my process and would keep diaries. I would imagine Kleya’s life before she met Luthen - her family, her friends, and then I’d imagine the day Luthen and his team tore through Kleya’s home and what she did/didn’t see of that. By the end, I’d built a body of happy memories that formed this patchwork quilt of their friendship. I wrote all these daydreams down in a little notebook - I’d write a little bit every day to try and embed these memories as deeply as I could and I think it really made a difference to how Kleya and Luthen come across on screen. It really feels like they have history which I’m super proud of.

Season 2 comes out on April 22nd on Disney+; how would you describe it in one word?
Heart-wrenching.

What do you think makes Andor so compelling and how does season 2 contribute?
Andor is undeniably compelling for just how relatable it feels. It happens to be set in the Star Wars galaxy but it’s impossible to watch this show and not see our world within it. As I mentioned before Tony was inspired by thousands of years of human history so I think when you’re watching it certain story lines will resonate differently with you depending on which moment in history you feel more connected to. This final season contributes to that ultimate goal of representing the mechanisms of revolution in a deeply moving way. It feels truly important and I’m enormously proud to have contributed to this piece of work.

Hat by Karina Bond
Dress by CRITTER
Shoes by Casadei
Earrings by Ryenn’s Eyes
Hand Bangle by Annabel B
Bracelet by Edblad
Rings by Edblad

How has it been to be part of such a beloved universe? Does it feel like a bigger responsibility due to the investment viewers may already have in the narrative?
Oh absolutely! We were all so aware of what a precious world Star Wars is to its fans, so we really wanted to take care of it. And I think we have, I hope we have. I hope we’ve made an addition to the Star Wars galaxy that fans can really appreciate.

What was the energy like on set? Any stand out moments behind the scenes that come to mind?
For me a standout memory were the shoots in Valencia. We had three consecutive night shoots at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias for the party scene in episode six. It was the best time because we had hundreds of incredible supporting artists in their Coruscant couture, the hair and make up was on point, droids were zipping past and aliens were serving drinks. It was one of the few group scenes that Kleya was involved in too so I got to hang out with everyone which was lovely.

Top by Ruaa Elmansuri
Dress by Ruaa Elmansuri
Neckalce by Ryenn’s Eyes
Rings (from left to right) by BOULO, Edblad
Bracelet by Edblad
Shoes by ROSAMUND MUIR

How was acting alongside Stellan Skarsgård and illustrating the dynamic between Kleya and Luthen? Working with Stellan was a dream. He really took me under his wing on set and became an anchor for me throughout the shoot.

A key element of Luthen and Kleya that we wanted to communicate was their surprising power dynamic. Neither one of them is “in charge” of the other. They’re equals. I think that surprises viewers a lot because they expect Kleya to be Luthen’s subordinate. And honestly, I had so much fun with that. It’s not often you get the opportunity to square up to a legend like Stellan Skarsgård so I really made the most of it!

In what ways was filming the second season different to the first?
For me personally it was very different because I was on set a lot more for season two with this incredible arc Tony had created for Kleya. Most of my stuff for episodes 10, 11 and 12 were shot in May/June 2023 where I was on set nearly every day. So I could use that time almost like a training camp where I could implement a different technique each day on set, see what worked and what didn’t and try something different again the next day. I do feel genuinely proud that I gave myself license to do that instead of just playing it safe all the time. I learnt so much as a result and it became this incredibly formative experience for me.

Earrings by Edblad
Dress by Jude Day-Palmer
Gloves by KARMA LEATHER GLOVES
Rings by Edblad, BOULO
Bracelets by Edblad
Shoes by ROSAMUND MUIR

Besides Kleya, do you have a personal favourite character within the greater Star Wars galaxy?
I suppose Anakin for me is a really compelling character. Like lots of actors, I’m always drawn to characters that are complicated and deeply flawed and Anakin is the epitome of that in the Star Wars galaxy. He goes on such a journey in his story and who doesn’t love that?

Do you have a dream project or collaboration that you would love to be part of in the future?
For a few years now I’ve really admired the work by Reese Witherspoon’s production company. I’m a big reader and her book club has some excellent choices for screen adaptations. If she ever called one day I’d trip over myself to pick up the phone!

Aside from that I think I just want my career to continue in the direction it’s headed, with a mixture of screen and theatre. If I can continue to maintain that variety, I’d be very happy.

Earrings by Ryenn’s Eyes
Dress by POET-LAB
Shoes by Casadei

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Elizabeth Dulau
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Reiss
Fashion Stylist: Chalisa Guerrero
Hair: Sophie Sugarman
Makeup: Charlotte Yeomans
Fashion Assistants: Athena Moumtzis, Amanda Flor
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Rebel with a Cause: Elizabeth Dulau on Andor's Final Stand