Unveiling Kleya Marki: Elizabeth Dulau’s Journey in Andor Season Two
[This story contains spoilers for Andor season two.]
When Andor creator Tony Gilroy cast Elizabeth Dulau in early 2021, he knew he was getting a talented actor who had just graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). However, he soon realized that he had hired a budding star who was worthy of significantly more screen time in season two. “By the time we finished season one, everyone on our whole show was just in awe [of Elizabeth]. We don’t have a moment of bad film on her,” Gilroy recently told The Hollywood Reporter.
The Relationship of Luthen and Kleya
In season one, Dulau’s character, Kleya Marki, was considered the “sorcerer’s apprentice” to Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen Rael, a part-time antiquities dealer and full-time shadowy leader of the emerging Rebellion. Season two has revealed their relationship’s profoundly tragic origin story. Luthen was once an Imperial Sergeant, and during a genocidal raid on young Kleya’s home planet, he experienced a crisis of conscience mid-attack. Noticing that a young girl had stowed away on his ship, he named her Kleya. Their bond transformed into a father-daughter dynamic within the Rebellion.
Reflecting on her on-screen partnership with Skarsgård, Dulau recalls the pressure of her initial audition. “My agent said, ‘The only note from your Andor callback was that you seemed a bit nervous. So they want to see you again. Walk in that room with as much confidence as you can; walk in that room like you are the dog’s bollocks,’” Dulau shared.
Kleya’s Intense Journey in Season Two
Fast forward to season two, and one particularly pivotal scene lingered in Dulau’s mind throughout the filming. In the episode titled “Make It Stop,” Kleya must face the unbearable task of ending Luthen’s life. This scene occurs after Denise Gough’s character, Dedra Meero, has discovered Luthen’s secrets. During a moment of distraction, Luthen attempts to end his own life to protect the Rebellion from the Empire.
Knowing that Meero was able to keep Luthen alive, Kleya visited the hospital where he was being treated. This moment transformed Dulau’s character into a central figure of her own spy-action narrative. Kleya blew up a spaceport as a diversion, eliminating numerous Stormtroopers. The moment she gained access to Luthen’s hospital room, she closed the curtains, sealing it from light—an emblematic act referencing Luthen’s earlier monologue about his “sunless space.” The culmination was heart-wrenching when Kleya ultimately had to pull the plug on Luthen’s life.
The Emotional Weight of Destiny
“The monologue has always been there in the background,” Dulau articulated. “I was super nervous because it felt like the entire filming process was leading up to that day. When I looked at Stellan lying there, I really felt heartbroken for what Kleya was about to do.” Prior to Luthen’s capture, he had passed key intel regarding the Empire’s top-secret development of the Death Star to Kleya. After her hospital mission, she delivered this intel to Cassian, emphasizing the importance of their history.
Elizabeth shared her gratitude for the role, expressing, “It’s not lost on me that Tony Gilroy has literally written me into Star Wars history that dates back to the ‘70s.” She openly acknowledged the weight of her character’s actions, recognizing its significance in the overarching narrative of Star Wars.
The Character’s Evolution and Future
During a recent discussion, Dulau expressed her views on the future of Kleya Marki and her status as an “unsung hero.” “I’d love for her to have belonging, but that would be entirely new for Kleya,” she noted, emphasizing the gravity of her character’s backstory and emotional journey. The connection between her and Luthen is both beautiful and tragic, steeped in dark history.
Reflecting on their relationship, Dulau compared their dynamic to that of Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us. “The love between them is incidental,” she explained, highlighting the darkness that shadows their bond. “Luthen’s involvement in the destruction of Kleya’s people can never be erased.”
Memorable Moments on Set
The filming experience itself was magical for Dulau. She fondly recounted thrilling moments, including when her character successfully eliminated Stormtroopers in an action-packed hospital scene. “I could fully invest in the imagined reality of shooting these bad guys,” she said, cherishing the excitement of those action spectacles.
Dulau was eager to share her excitement about costuming and sets, especially during vibrant scenes filled with unique characters and high energy. “It was completely magical to be in a galaxy far, far away,” she stated, reminiscing about extraordinary set designs and scenes full of life.
A Character North and South
As the series unfolds, the complexities of Kleya’s character continue to grow. Each episode in season two draws emotional investments, and the connections between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire deepen. Dulau’s portrayal of Kleya Marki adds a significant layer of nuance to the narrative.
In reflecting on her iconic character’s journey, Dulau has expressed that the challenges of being a foundational piece of the Rebellion resonate profoundly with the audience. “They’re willing to stray into those moral gray areas to find the light again,” she observed.