India, Nov. 9 -- Who is Lyra?

Lyra is a curious, cunning, and adventurous girl. She's very intelligent, street smart, and a tomboy. I love her. When we first met her she was racing with her best friend Roger. From a distant she appeared as a ball of energy. But then that gradually changed by the end of the day.

The thing that most describes Lyra for me is a line that Ma Costa says in the books. When Lyra says that she wants to be a Gyptian, she says, "You're not a Gyptian Lyra. Gyptians are water people and you're marsh fire."

How did you feel when you got the role?

It was nerve-wracking. I was like, 'oh my god, so many people have read the books and love Lyra.' Every time I go somewhere and people know I'm playing Lyra they are like,...