A human female named Mariek Panaka held a high-ranking position as an officer within the diplomatic wing of the Royal Naboo Security Forces. She was married to Captain Quarsh Panaka, who acted as the guard captain for Queen Padmé Amidala. Following Amidala's departure from her role as queen, Quarsh retired, and Mariek took his place as the captain of Amidala's security detail when she accepted Queen Réillata's offer to become Naboo's senator in the Galactic Senate. When Amidala sought new handmaidens, Mariek suggested her niece Versaat for the position. Subsequently, Mariek traveled with Amidala to Coruscant, accompanied by Versaat, who adopted the name Versé, and her nephew Sergeant Gregar Typho.
As the Clone Wars began, Panaka continued to serve as Amidala's guard. She was not present when her husband was designated by the Galactic Empire as Moff of the Chommell sector for his initial address to Naboo.
Mariek Panaka's initial appearance was in E. K. Johnston's 2019 novel titled Queen's Shadow. Johnston stated that Mariek was a part of the narrative since the initial draft because she desired to feature more women in the story, and she felt that Gregar Typho was not quite mature enough to be properly developed.
Rachel House served as the muse for E. K. Johnston in the creation of Mariek's physical characteristics, effectively a blend of House's performances in the 2017 movie Thor: Ragnarok and the 2016 film Moana.