Samara

An asari Justicar and Mass Effect 2 squadmate.

Samara is a fictional character from BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member (or "squadmate") in Mass Effect 2. She is an asari, a feminine species in the Mass Effect universe who are naturally inclined towards biotics, the mental ability to manipulate dark energy and generate various psychokinetic effects. Samara is a member of a highly respected and feared ascetic order of mystic warriors known as the Justicars. Samara's features were based on model Rana McAnear, and she is voiced by American actress Maggie Baird. During his time working on Mass Effect 2, video game developer Brian Kindegran developed lore about the Justicar Code as well as biological deviants in asari society known as the Ardat-Yakshi, and used these story elements to build Samara's backstory.

Quick Facts

Series: Mass Effect
First game: Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Voice: Maggie Baird
Race: Asari

Lore & Background

Samara's writer for Mass Effect 2 was Brian Kindregan, who developed additional lore like the Justicar Code and the Ardat-Yakshi as part of his work on Samara's backstory. Inspired by a pre-existing in-game codex entry about how asari mate, where they engage in a process called "melding" with their romantic partner, Kindregan used it as the basis to explore the "awful, invasive" side of the asari mating experience. Kindregan considers her children's diagnosis as Ardat-Yakshi, a term in asari culture for biological deviants who cause their partners' deaths when mating, and Morinth's defiance against the laws which regulate her kind, to be the character's "defining moment" as she chose to respond by exerting "an iron-willed self control" and find purpose in her life through her role as a problem solver.

During an interview, Kindregan illustrated his point by contrasting Samara's personality with another squadmate, Jack: the latter seeks to control her environment out of the desire for her own safety, whereas Samara "seeks to control herself so that it was her own survival mechanism".

Reader's Guide

Samara is an asari Justicar, a member of an ascetic order, and a squadmate in Mass Effect 2. As a Justicar, she operates independently but can be convinced to aid Commander Shepard when their goals align against a greater evil. Her character arc is defined by the conflict between her unyielding Code and her humanity. Defining moments include her hunt for her daughter Morinth, which leads to the Afterlife nightclub on Omega, and the tragic climax of her personal quest. Depending on Shepard's choices, Samara may be forced to kill her daughter or die in the attempt. Depending on the player's actions, Morinth can survive in Samara's place and join the team. Her loyalty mission is widely considered one of the most emotionally resonant stories in the series.

Did You Know?

Samara's facial features are based on the likeness of model Rana McAnear, who subsequently made appearances in fan conventions dressed up as the character.
Samara's loyalty mission is one of only two companion loyalty missions in Mass Effect 2 that do not involve any combat sequences.
BioWare never planned for a romance subplot with Samara, which Kindregan supported on a personal level.
Samara's revealing clothing in her final design indicates that her primary method of defense is her uniform's 'near-invisible kinetic-barrier technology'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Samara?

Samara is an ancient Asari warrior who serves as a Justicar, enforcing the galaxy's oldest laws without mercy. She joins Shepard's crew in Mass Effect 2 to hunt down specific targets while maintaining her strict vows.