Joining the Fallout series, Sarita Choudhury had several questions about her character Lee Moldaver, much like fans in the aftermath. However, she carries admiration for her character and has dug deep to understand her morality in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
“It’s funny because you usually come to a conclusion in your head to play someone,” Choudhury told Decider on a Zoom call following the release of Season 1. “But this was the first time I played a character where I was like, even though [she’s] good because she’s working on behalf of the Wasteland… She’s not a Vault-dweller and she doesn’t expect a Vault-dweller to understand her. Why should they?”
She continued, “But as we saw with Lucy’s character, you also end up doing things to survive that are odd. Depending on how much of that builds up and goes into your soul is where the good and bad lands. I think Moldaver’s soul is intact, but there’s a necessity that drives her to where she could kill someone as long as she’s making sure 10 people survive.”
Choudhury spoke to Decider about playing strong female characters with her co-star Ella Purnell, the reception of Season 1, whether she’d return for Season 2, and more.
DECIDER: It’s been about a week since Fallout was released. How do you feel about the reception so far?
SARITA CHOUDHURY: What’s so interesting is when a show comes out and you’re walking on the street there will be new fans that are different from fans of other shows you’ve done. There’s a different fanbase. Men who would never come up to me for something like And Just Like That are coming up to me with not many words, just like, “Hey, I saw you,” and then they walk away. It’s so fun. Also, a lot of my friends who I didn’t think this was their genre are binge-watching it and they’re calling me going, “Wait, I don’t even know I’d like a show like this and I love it.”
You and Ella Purnell both play such strong independent women, despite their differences. What was your experience filming those final scenes together? The whole season built up to your characters’ meeting.
It’s interesting because we were both separately acting and then we came together in that scene. When she showed up, in the way Moldaver is curious about Lucy, I was also curious about her. It played well together. I was sitting there and watching her, going, “Let me see what you’re like,” even as Sarita. Off camera, [Ella’s] such… you know, her British accent and she’s so self-effacing. She doesn’t give a shit. That was something I loved about her. As I got to know her and we were filming, it was even more fun because I feel like [the characters] don’t have to play their power. They earned it through their little ways. Moldaver was a scientist who worked her ass off. You know what I mean? She knows what she’s talking about. Then the world collapses and she has to take on armor and guns.
Digging into the dynamic of that final scene, your character reveals a lot of major bombs. I know my reaction to watching the last 30 minutes play out on screen, and I’m sure everyone felt the same way. What was your reaction to reading the script?
A lot was relief. I knew a lot of it anyway. But when I got that script, I was so happy. It was so complicated and the motives and everything were explained. If you look at just Episode 1, you’re just like, “Who the fuck is this woman?” Sorry for cursing…
Curse all you want.
Then all this comes out and you realize, “Wow, everyone in this world is fighting for what they really believe.” It’s so complicated because like when COVID happened, we didn’t know the rules. You’re half-inventing and half-listening to doctors, but they’re also learning. I felt like that’s what we had to work through to become who we were as these characters.
There’s so much gray space between being good or bad and I feel like your character is a bit ambiguous. She’s introduced as a major antagonist. What is your read on her and where do you think she exists in the Venn diagram of good and bad?
It’s funny because you usually come to a conclusion in your head to play someone. But this was the first time I played a character where I was like, even though [she’s] good because she’s working on behalf of the Wasteland… She’s not a Vault-dweller and she doesn’t expect Vault-dwellers to understand her. Why should they? But as we saw with Lucy’s character, you also end up doing things to survive that are odd. Depending on how much of that builds up and goes into your soul is where the good and bad lands. I think Moldaver’s soul is intact, but there’s a necessity that drives her to where she could kill someone as long as she’s making sure 10 people survive. I think she weighs things out. Logically, she’s not neurotic. That’s what I held on to: She’s not neurotic.
As you’re describing this, I’m picturing that psychological question with the railroad. Like, if you were the conductor, would you save one person or multiple people?
Yeah. I don’t think she thinks about it later because she’s got another 10 people to save. So I think she’s very driven by necessity and her morals.
I have to represent some of the fans. There’s been a lot of speculation over whether or not your character actually died in Season 1. I’m sure you can’t reveal any crazy spoilers and you might not even be privy to where Season 2 goes, but would you return for another season if the opportunity presented itself?
After seeing the season, I would. Yes, yes, yes. For an apocalyptic show, I kept having feelings of joy. The zaniness of that music and the balletic feeling. You know that scene on the bridge where they’re passing and they’re like, “Are you armed? / Are you armed?/ No. / No.” And then their hands go up and the music comes on. There were moments when I was watching the show and I thought I was doing a backband. So, yes is the answer.
There’s a huge fan theory that your character and Rose were lovers, given how much Moldaver cares about her and advocates on her behalf. What are your thoughts on that? Do you have your own backstory made in your head?
I have a backstory and I can’t say much. But I can say I love that [fans] are picking up on all of this and adding — or whatever — to it. There is such a closeness and who knows… if there’s a Season 2, you’ll find out.
Did you have any questions for the writers while getting into character? I know that there are some lingering questions for viewers about your character’s backstory and how she survived the war and the 200 years have passed.
All the fans’ questions were my questions. What’s great about these writers is that they’re so quirky and intelligent. When I would ask them [questions], it was like when a priest answers you and they’re like, “My child, I understand you,” but they also can’t give you everything. That’s how I felt with them. They’d always give me enough to act and not be in the dark, but they couldn’t tell me everything. It was hard.
To wrap up, what overall message do you want fans to take away from this series?
With where the world is at right now and with all the shows we have that are so great at showing that but often in a darker way, I feel like there’s something about the show that makes you feel like, “Okay, I can do something and maybe have a slight sense of humor and an open heart.” You can be a rebel and be a good person. And swear! You can do it all.
Fallout is streaming on Prime Video.
