When asked how she bagged the part she said, “It just fell into my lap. I had to give up two projects I was scheduled to do here but I figured it would be worth it.”

Halo, which Showtime has described as its “most ambitious series ever”, is set to begin production in Budapest later this year. Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine, Bentley Kalu, Natasha Culzac and Kate Kennedy have also been cast in the drama, which will explore the conflict between humanity and an alien race known as the Covenant in the 26th century.

In the series, Azmi will play Admiral Margaret Parangosky, the head of the Office of Naval Intelligence. Pablo Schreiber will essay the role of the iconic Master Chief while McElhone (Designated Survivor, Californication) will be seen as Cortana, the most advanced AI in human history who may be the key to the survival of the human race. Emmy nominee Woodbine (Fargo, Spider-Man: Homecoming) plays Soren-066, a morally complex privateer at the fringes of civilisation.