Mia Tharia the breakout star of Klara And The Sun
Mia Tharia is the kind of star who doesn’t just inhabit a role; she embodies an entire mood. Through her work in BBC’s The Listeners and the forthcoming dystopian sci-fi film Klara And The Sun, she has cemented her place as an elegant mouthpiece for the complex, often wry interiority of teenage life.
Dressed down in a perfect blend of comfortable plaid and crocs, Tharia exudes a poised, grounded energy. This easy style reflects a stable background and a career that has navigated the often-turbulent waters of fame without sacrificing authenticity. When discussing her surroundings, she grounds the narrative in the real-world pace of South London, noting the delightful yet sometimes depressing reality of gentrification, recalling a time when places like Poundland once existed in the area.
Her arrival at any gathering is marked by a gentle timing, a subtle nod to her own thoughtful nature. She savors the moment, finding comfort in the local culture and art that defines her home, a feeling deeply rooted in the South West London experience.
Beneath the polished exterior lies a rich tapestry of personal history. Tharia grew up mixed race in South London, an identity she now explores deeply in her upcoming period drama, The Education Of Jane Cumming. In this project, she portrays an Anglo-Indian character navigating a Scottish boarding school, delving into the intense, complicated exploration of mixed heritage and belonging.
This exploration of identity mirrors her own upbringing, which was far from the typical child star trajectory. Tharia describes herself as inherently shy and socially awkward, admitting that for the first few years of her life, communication was often a challenge. Yet, this inner reserve fueled a strong creative instinct. She and her sister found joy in documenting life, creating little films and videos of family and friends, a habit that continues to shape her artistic approach.
This instinct for creation led to a compelling paradox in her early career. While she harboured a clear ambition to be a child actor, the process of auditioning instilled a fascinating conflict. The discomfort of having to present an extroverted version of herself clashed with her natural shyness, but ultimately, the rejection proved to be an unexpected advantage, helping her build a career playing characters defined by their awkwardness.
In her cinematic roles, Tharia embraces complexity. Whether playing characters in The Listeners or Klara And The Sun, she gravitates toward the difficult, unlikable, and conflicted. She isn’t interested in polished perfection; instead, she thrives on playing those “feral” edges, exploring the conflicted layers of human experience.
In Klara And The Sun, Tharia brings this nuanced perspective to the role of Josie, a character described as a “liquid teenager.” This portrayal captures an androgyny and a fluidity that challenges conventional boundaries. Filmed in New Zealand, the experience with co-star Jenna Ortega was noted for its generosity and openness, allowing Tharia to inhabit a character unconfined by rigid expectations.
As the world grapples with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, Tharia’s work on Klara And The Sun touches on profound human themes. She views the film as a compelling exploration of what it means to be human amidst technological shifts, finding the core of the story rooted in humanity itself.
Despite the potential for mega-fame, Tharia remains comfortably anonymous. She hasn’t felt the pressure of public recognition and finds the current degree of anonymity quite liberating. She remains focused on her craft, happily sidestepping the spotlight while continuing to make deeply resonant work.
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