Helen Mirren as Benz, last Librarian in Sogo

This picture of Helen Mirren would be
when Benz was made into a Nightshade

Helen Mirren as Benz, last Librarian in Sogo has a clever tongue, a brilliant mind, and an axe to grind - preferably against the face of those that forbid learning in Sogo.

Nez (Minister of Religion in Sogo):  "No one uses the library anymore."
Benz:  "That would be your fault."

When I watched Helen Mirren in National Treasure 2, I saw the look that her character gave to her 'husband' and knew I'd found Benz.

This would be my idea of Benz when she was
first taking refuge in the library.

A younger Benz - a school teacher, intense and dedicated to teaching anyone willing to learn, her years of teaching in Sogo included trying to reach the minds of those that would eventually become members of the Sogoian Council of 9 - which fact she regrets. She eventually considers her teaching efforts in that wicked city a waste of time.

She has spent ample time alone, understanding how the library, which was made by Jaydren and Revaya, really works.

One of her happiest days in Sogo is when Brenna comes to the library to find out more about Benz.

My idea of what Benz would look like
when she  goes to Shara.

The character, sister of Trykonius, another great thinker, lives in the vast Javayan library, taking care of the ancient tomes of a much earlier time when Sogoians still cared about knowledge. 

After those in power over Sogo no longer consider public education important, she dedicates herself to researching her favorite topic:  The Five Creators. 

No one living knows more than she does about what most people consider myths and she becomes the go-to person when people have questions concerning them.

She first appears in the Chest of Souls in Stone Dreams and continues on through the rest of the epic.

Currently, it is planned for Benz to have a more important role in the last of the series. 

The younger versions of Helen Mirren are what she will look like later in the series, after she hatches (yes, hatches!) her daughter. To find out just how that happens, you have to read the books. Both images  below come from Pinterest in the UK