The Elia Kane actress opens up about her manipulative role and reveals what those Imperial biscuits really taste like.
Season 3 ofThe Mandalorianresurrects a familiar and sinister face.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You joinedThe Mandalorianseason 2 as an Imperial comms officer.
Katy O’Brian as Elia Kane in ‘The Mandalorian’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
KATY O’BRIAN:I was surprised!
I didn’t know that I would be in a totally different uniform.
I had no idea what was going on.
Katy O’Brian (right) in ‘The Mandalorian’.Lucasfilm Ltd.
So, when I found out, I was like, “That’s so exciting!”
But I was a little confused because I thought I was dead.
I was able to actually see in advance what my lines were and what was going on.
And what I love about this character is I still don’t know what my motivations are.
you might make all the leaps and assumptions that you want.
I think they do that intentionally, so the fans can have to things guess at it.
But she’s pretty mischievous for sure, which I absolutely adore.
When you started playing this character, she was sort of your standard Imperial officer.
It’s funny because she really is just letting people guide what they want to do.
The last date was kind of icky."
And you’re like, “I don’t know!
What do you think?”
And they already know the answer.
She’s kind of that person.
She’s really just letting people make the decision they already want to make.
I was a psych major, and psychologically, I think she’s fascinating.
It’s a really interesting approach to take with her: She knows how people think.
But also, in my younger days, I used to be a little bit more of a prankster.
So, I really love the idea of getting to put that mischievous youth into play here.
I love that episode withyou and Dr. Pershing, played by Omid Abtahi.
Tell me about working with him because a lot of that episode is just the two of you.
And it was so not like that with Omid.
He was very interested in getting to know me, and I was interested in getting to know him.
I felt like we actually got to develop a really good friendship.
We got to meet each other’s families.
And the director’s family, Lee Isaac Chung.
It was a really lovely relationship off-screen.
And then on screen, we all got to really feel the hurt.
[Laughs] There were moments where we’re just trying not to cry because it’s so brutal.
But it was great.
I mean, you use a mind flayer on him!
It’s a little brutal!
So, we’re all a little nervous.
I’m hoping he’s okay somewhere!
I’m always curious what it’s like to step on to some of those sets.
I absolutely love what they do with the practical effects, the makeup, the robotics.
There’s that creature on the train, and that was two people inside this giant robotic suit.
They were super hot and I’m sure very uncomfortable, but it just added to the otherworldliness.
It really does make you feel like you’re in a strange new world!
But everything else around us was on the Volume.
There were even kids running around in the background.
It really does its best to take this essentially blue-screen world and make it real.
So, this is a really important question.
What do those Imperial biscuits taste like?
Someone told methe recipe is out online now!
You’ll have to look it up.
But yeah, it was really, really coconutty.
It was pretty dry, and it was surprisingly filling.
I think it could actually be used for a ration.
It kind of expanded in your mouth in a very interesting way.
It was healthy, or at least that’s what I was told.
It’s a very healthy, vegan, gluten-free biscuit, which is what the Empire is all about.
I love that you have one in your fridge right now.
I think you’re right: You should save it.
I have one, and I gave one to Omid.
And they’re ours forever.
I’m curious: Was there a day on set where you totally geeked out?
There were so many little moments.
He’s come up with some really cool camera techniques.
I feel like I’m in a masterclass every single day when I get to work.
That’s what they told me!
So, I believe it.
But they might have also told me that so I would be extra careful.
I don’t know.
“It’s vintage.
hey take care of it.”
That’s what I would do.
I would be like, “This is 100 years old, so don’t ruin it.
You’re also one of the rare actors who’s been in both theStar Warsuniverse and the Marvel universe.
Which one is more secretive?
I don’t even get pages if my name isn’t on the page.
So, I know nothing about what’s going on if I’m not physically in the scene.
I didn’t know I was giving Omid biscuits behind the scenes until we were talking about it.
But they’re hands down the more secretive.
I mean, you gotta protect those secrets.
People would be like, “What are you doing?
What are you working on?”
and I was like, “Oh, nothing.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
