In last year’s ITV drama The Larkins – an adaptation of H. E. Bates’ The Darling Buds of May – Seeta Indrani could be seen playing regular character Ms Chand across the episodes. Previously, Seeta’s screen credits have included playing Harita in four series of Catastrophe, Ms. Brenda Kiely in The Cafe and Savi in TV mini-series Guerilla. Having started her career on stage, Seeta played Cassandra in the original West End cast of CATS for her debut. Chatting with Seeta, she tells us about playing Ms Chand in The Larkins, her time as Harita in Catastrophe and being in the original West End cast of CATS.
Can you tell us about your character Ms Chand in The Larkins and what is she like to play?
I love playing Ms Chand in the Larkins because she is her own person and says exactly what she thinks at all times without a filter.
What have you enjoyed most about working on Series 1 and being in the cast?
We began Series 1 during the lockdown in 2021. It was quite scary to be out in the world, but at the same time exhilarating. I had hardly interacted with anyone up until that point, but production were very careful to keep us all safe. I think we were all glad to be out in the Kent countryside feeling “normal”. Laying around in fields having conversations with strangers, oh, and working, of course!
What was it like reading the script for the first time and was there anything that encouraged you to be part of the show?
The writing! Yay, Simon Nye!
How was it playing Harita in Catastrophe over four series and how was it on set?
Again, I must bow down to the writers. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney’s scripts did the work for me. Harita jumped off the page and my job was to not get in the way of it.
Do you have any stand-out highlights from playing Ms. Brenda Kiely in The Cafe?
I think Brenda was the first bitchy character I played. She was the baddie of the series. Out of step with the aspirations of the rest of the characters who simply wanted a quiet life and for things to stay as they were.
Can you tell us about your time as Savi in Guerrilla?
Being cast as Savi was an honour. Working with John Ridley and Sam Miller, plus, of course, the fantastic cast.
On stage, you were in the original West End cast of CATS as Cassandra, what do you remember from starting your career in the production?
It’s hard to forget CATS as it’s never left the the musical theatre zeitgeist. Of course, none of us would know back then how it would change the profile of the British musical. What I remember most about the show was how hard everyone worked. It was a company of soloists and no one was going to be left behind.
You went on to perform in a number of other stage roles, how do you find the experience of working in theatre?
It’s ages since I’ve been on stage. I miss the time in a rehearsal room. The right to fail – so important in the creative process.
Where does your love of acting and performing come from and how did you start?
The Oval House youth programme. I wish this government understood the importance of these schemes.
Do you have any favourite TV shows and films to watch?
The Closer, The Big Bang Theory, Burn Notice, Scandal… Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of binge-watching.
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
Dancing and singing, plus a bit of travel.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
Nope, that’s a secret!