Carl Roberts 
Game Of Thrones star Indira Varma is to launch a new costume display at the studio tour in Northern Ireland.
Indira Varma, who starred as Ellaria Sand in HBO’s Game of Thrones, will launch a new costume display at the Studio Tour on June 30. The display will feature costumes worn by characters from the kingdom of Dorne including elaborate dresses donned by Ellaria Sand’s daughters, Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene, an opulent Dorne Guard costume, and a dress worn by her character. The display will also include a prancing horse created by the show’s award-winning special effects team.
THE STUDIO TOUR
The immersive and interactive Game of Thrones Studio Tour, at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, invites visitors to discover the making of the hit HBO series, walk through authentic sets such as Winterfell and King’s Landing, and come up close and personal with dragons, giants, and hundreds of screen-used costumes, captivating weapons, and props.
Indira Varma became a huge hit when she first appeared in Season 4 of Game of Thrones as Ellaria Sand, the paramour to Prince Oberyn Martell (portrayed by actor Pedro Pascal) and the loyal mother of three daughters, the Sand Snakes. Varma appeared in 13 episodes between Game of Thrones Seasons 4-7.
In addition to the new Dorne costume display, the battle outfit worn by Pedro Pascal’s Oberyn Martell during his famous showdown with The Mountain, (Season 4, Ep 8, The Mountain, and The Viper) will be displayed for the first time, recalling one of the most famous scenes in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
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INDIRA VARMA & SHERRYL MURPHY
Excited to return to Northern Ireland, Indira Varma said: “It simply had to happen, a Studio Tour where Game of Thrones was filmed, celebrating the making of a remarkable TV series that millions loved. It will be special being there and launching a new Dorne costume display.
“I have fond memories of filming on Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland, and it will be great to see those costumes again, and to learn more of the secrets behind the making of Game of Thrones.”
Sherryl Murphy, Marketing Manager at Game of Thrones Studio Tour, said: “There’s no better way to start summer than with Game of Thrones star Indira Varma visiting us to help launch our new Dorne costume display.
“Indira’s Ellaria Sand was a much-loved character on Game of Thrones, and this will be a great opportunity for visitors to welcome her to the studios where Game of Thrones was filmed in Northern Ireland.”
Indira Varma will launch the new costume display at 1 pm on June 30 and engage in several activities throughout the day.
ABOUT THE TOUR
Game of Thrones Studio Tour is an authentic world-class attraction that invites visitors of all ages to peek behind the camera to learn the show’s secrets and admire the skills that combined to make one of the most successful TV series in history.
It is the only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour in the world and includes the world’s largest Game of Thrones shop.
At Game of Thrones Studio Tour can you walk through many authentic sets, including King’s Landing and the Great Hall of Winterfell to discover the role Northern Ireland played in creating the hit HBO series during a decade of filming. Visitors can get closer than ever before to more than 140 authentic costumes from the show, weapons, jewelry, and the prosthetics used to create the White Walkers, the Night King, and more. You can even become a Kingsguard or White Walker and try your hand at archery on interactive screens.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour is located at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge. The Tour is located just 30-mins from Belfast and 90-mins from Dublin.
ABOUT THE DORNE COSTUME DISPLAY
The new Dorne costume display at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour will mark the beginning of the summer season for the visitor attraction. In Game of Thrones, Dorne is the southernmost region of The Seven Kingdoms.
The new Dorne display will include:
SFX Horse: The horse is a foreleg-rearing pneumatic rig, engineered by the SFX department for a specific stunt in Game of Thrones. The horse will showcase the visually striking Dornish tack from the beach scene in Game of Thrones Season 5. Each specific house had a bespoke cavalry, designed with aesthetics and functionality in mind. This includes armor, horse blankets, reins, and saddle bags adorned with house sigils, elaborate embellishments, and intricate leatherwork. The most decorative designs showcase the region’s culture’s wealth, artistry, and craftsmanship.
Oberyn Martell: Also known as the Red Viper, a nod to Oberyn Martell’s extensive knowledge of poisons, his armor has a distinct reptilian feel. It is in great contrast to that of his opponent, Ser Gregor Clegane, The Mountain. Stamped leather and fine chainmail lend to speed and movement and compliment his fighting style. The warm chestnut and sand tones are synonymous with his home of Dorne exuding heat, warmth, and passion, something the Martells were well known for. The reptilian theme is carried through with snake-head style hand shields and clasp at the back of his neck.
Ellaria Sand: In mourning for her lover Oberyn Martell, Ellaria wears a bias-cut gown of black sand-washed silk, hand-finished with gold silk thread. Worn with her familiar triangle bra, the dress is similar in shape but much more modest than her previous costumes. The chestnut leather straps worn across the body are a nod to the armor worn by Oberyn and symbolize protection.
Tyene Sand: First of the four daughters of Ellaria and Oberyn Martell, Tyene Sand wears a saffron-yellow paper-silk dress with leather detailing. It is worn with tan leather trousers so it can be hitched up at the side when on horseback. Her necklace is similar to her mother’s. On a low-slung belt, she carries a pair of beautiful snake’s head daggers on each hip.
Obara Sand: Obara Sand’s costume is the group’s most masculine, perfectly reflecting her character’s personality. The hand-stamped leather armor is both solid and stylish, and the skirt worn over trousers allows her to move freely. Her choice of weapon is also a nod to her father who trained her to use the traditional Dornish spear from when she was a child.
Nymeria Sand: Daughter of Oberyn Martell and an Eastern Noble-woman, Nym’s paper-silk dress is teamed with a heavily patterned bra and leather trousers. The lightweight silk fabrics are ideal for the warm Dornish climate whilst the leather trousers are hard-wearing enough for time spent in the saddle. Referencing the bullwhip, she favors as a weapon; the stamped leather straps crisscross the body. Her boots are like those worn by her sisters and mother, hand-stamped tan leather with shaped toes and heels – perfect for spending time on horseback.
Martell Guard: Spears are the preferred weapon of the personal guards to House Martell so traditional restrictive armor is replaced with something more forgiving. The vibrant saffron yellow velvet coat is lined with leather and embellished with the House Martell Sigil – a sun piercing a spear – which is a reference to the Dornish capital of Sunspear.
For more information on the Studio Tour or to book tickets, please visit here.
Will you be visiting the studio tour? Will you attend the visit of Indira Varma? Are you a fan of the series? Let us know in the comments section below. We always like to hear from you.
Carl Roberts is the News Editor for The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
