FISCHER: What type of relationship do you have with Carrie?

BONIADI: She mainly interacts with Saul at first. He is not only her boss but also her mentor. She reveres him in many ways. She interacts with Carrie more as the season progresses. Fara is a newbie and not nearly as accustomed as Carrie to the way the CIA operates. But the women share a similar passion for justice and aren’t afraid to question authority if they think something is wrong. The two characters couldn’t look or dress or sound more different, and yet there’s a great moment in a later episode where they are standing side by side working toward the same goal. It’s such a unifying image.

FISCHER: Did your being born during the Iranian revolution influence your role at all? If so, how?

BONIADI: Yes, I think it did. I was born in Tehran at a time when women’s rights were deteriorating at a rampant rate. My parents didn’t want to raise their daughter in a social, political, and religious climate that was growing increasingly oppressive toward women and girls, so they emigrated to London. But the struggle of the Iranian people was permanently etched in my social consciousness from a young age. So I fully relate to Fara’s desire for justice. When you or your loved ones escape repression, you often find yourself committed to ensuring that freedom prevails.

FISCHER: How are you similar to your character? How do you two differ?

BONIADI: We are both strong-willed with a deep sense of responsibility and a passion for justice. But I’d say I’m definitely goofier than Fara.

FISCHER: You’ve done a lot of work with Amnesty International, and you recently wrote an op-ed with for the Huffington Post questioning whether or not Iran’s reforms are meaningful. Does your activism work on human rights and women’s rights influence the roles you choose to play? If so, how?

BONIADI: Generally, I love being part of a project that imparts a positive message, is somehow educational or enlightening, helps to bridge differences, or inspires viewers in some way. I believe a lot of artists become activists because we rely on and value the freedom of expression and so we want to protect it. I think a culture can really be elevated through the arts, and it’s always a dream come true when I come across roles that enable me to fuse my love of storytelling with my passion for activism and raising social awareness.

FISCHER: What prejudices do you hope your performance dispels about Muslim women, if any?

BONIADI: How often do we see a hijab-wearing, career-driven, intelligent, independent Muslim woman on television with a voice of her own? It’s a groundbreaking role that I’m honored to play, but if anyone is dispelling prejudices, it’s the writers and producers who have created a role that shatters long-held stereotypes. Homeland is great at challenging our preconceived ideas. For example, most of us wouldn’t expect an all-American war hero like Nicholas Brody to sympathize with the enemy, and he definitely doesn’t look like the stereotypical Muslim. Similarly, many viewers will make up their minds about Fara the moment they set sight on her and hear her speak. She wears a headscarf and has a slight Iranian accent. She looks and feels completely out of place the moment she arrives at the CIA. She definitely senses that people define her by her appearance. The question is, has she become what society has imbued her with or does she prove them wrong? It will be interesting to see how audiences react to her.