Who Is Daisy Ridley, New Cast Member Of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

The cast of Star Wars: Episode VII was announced on Tuesday, and, while many of the new castmembers are somewhat unknowns, one in particular is a complete mystery: Daisy Ridley.

Ridley is the only new female cast member and one of only two women included in the entire announcement. She joins Carrie Fisher who will be returning to the Star Wars franchise and reprising her role as Princess Leia. (It’s worth noting that Fisher is credited as playing a ‘Leia Solo’ on IMDB.) However, the film is reportedly still looking to cast another actress to join the film in a “substantial role.”

Very little is known about Ridley, a British actress who has only been acting professionally for roughly one year. Her credits, of which there are few, include one-episode guest spots in various English television series, including Casualty, Youngers, Toast of London, and a two-episode run in Silent Witness. According to reports, Ridley’s acting reel used to be on YouTube and was taken down after the casting announcement. Her Twitter account has also been disabled, but curious fans can see her in the short film Blue Season, made in 213 as part of London’s 48 Hour Sci-Fi film challenge.

According to her profile on her Agent’s website, Ridley is a talented Jazz singer and dancer, highly skilled in tap. Though her birthdate is absent from the profile, her playing age is listed as 16-20, and reports suggest she is in her early 20s.

While her character in Star Wars: Episode VII remains unknown, fans are speculating that Ridley is set to play the daughter of Leia and Han Solo (Harrison Ford). The rumors are fueled somewhat by the fact that Ridley is seated between Fisher and Ford in the cast photo released.

Star Wars: Episode VII, directed by JJ Abrams, is scheduled to begin filming in a few weeks.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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