First there was Princess Leia and then Queen Amidala/Padme, and now we are set to get acquainted with Rey, the newest Star Wars female lead that is sure to go down in fandom history. Rey is played by the fresh-faced British actress Daisy Ridley, and it’s understood that the rumours are true and this she is indeed the daughter of Han Solo and Princess Leia, another reason that is sure to make Daisy Ridley one of the most loved characters to have hit the big screen. This really is a cinema Cinderella story, going from UK’s Casualty to sharing a screen with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher! Amazing. But who is Daisy Ridley?
While the internet has successfully painted a picture of the actress’ movements before being announced as part of the Stars Wars VII cast in 2014, those who are not head deep in the world of the cult franchise won’t know much about her. Which is where we come in. Here are 5 things to that will help you get to know Daisy Ridley a little better.
What’s her story?
Daisy Isobel Ridley was born in Westmister, London, in 10 April 1992 and raised by her parents Louise Fawkner-Corbett and Chris Ridley, a photographer, and is the youngest five children. One of her sisters is model Kika-Rose who is signed with Models 1 and, more importantly, her great uncle is Arnold Ridley who played Private Charles Godfrey in the long running British sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’. In 2010, she graduated from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, after which she began working as a TV and short film actress.
Where have we seen her before?
Well, following tradition and in keeping with George Lucas’ penchant for unknown names, it will come as no surprise to you that Miss. Ridley has only had a few parts in her career to date. There was her role as Hannah Kennedy in ‘Silent Witness’ in 2014, she played Sarah in a short film called ‘Blue Season’, and as Fran Bedingfield in ‘Casualty’.
She also featured in Lifesaver, an interactive film which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2013. So, like I said, she really has gone from obscurity to being cast in one of the world’s biggest franchises ever.
How did she get the part?
The answer to this is surprisingly simple. She has a very good agent… that and apparently she does that have that certain something. Her teacher Miriam Juviler says, ‘Daisy was here for five years and left in 2010. She actually specialised in musical theatre.
Everybody here is delighted for her. She is a hard-working, bright young girl and very talented. There are always a few students who have a bit of an extra spark in them. She was very much star material when she was here.’
Is there anyone special?
She may be young but apparently there is already talk of marriage.
This July, she was spotted shopping for wedding rings with her boyfriend, actor Charlie Hamblett and naturally fans of the newly crowned Star Wars actress were sent into a social media frenzy of questions. But we are not sure what the truth is. Time will tell.
What’s next for Ridley?
Well, let’s be honest. There’s nothing bigger going on for this young English actress right than the fact she is starring as a lead character in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. There really is nothing more that Daisy Ridley needs to be doing right now to keep our interest, as we just can’t wait to see her in action along with the rest of the cast.
But, readers, if we really are in need of some extra news about what else Ridley is up to, there is one more project in the works that is due out in 2015 called ‘Scrawl’. It’s an indie film by Peter Hearn about a boy that writes a comic book with his friends but it seems that the events in the comic are coming to life.
When a mysterious girl arrives on the scene the boy has to face the reality of what’s been written and try to rewrite death. Daisy stars as Hannah, alongside Nathalie Pownall and Charlotte Butler.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hits the cinemas on 18 December.