It happened in a flash. One day, she was an unknown actress working in a London pub, and the next, her face was plastered on every lunchbox, billboard, and action figure from Tokyo to New York. If you’ve ever sat through the credits of the sequel trilogy wondering who plays Rey from Star Wars, the name you’re looking for is Daisy Ridley.
She wasn't a household name. Far from it. When J.J. Abrams was casting The Force Awakens (2015), he specifically went looking for a "nobody." He wanted someone who didn't bring the baggage of previous roles. He needed a blank slate that the audience could project their own hopes onto. Daisy Ridley fit that bill perfectly, though the journey from a quiet life in Westminster to the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon was anything but quiet.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Landing a role in a franchise worth billions isn't just about reading lines. It’s about stamina. Ridley didn't just walk in and get the part. She auditioned five times over the course of seven months. Imagine the nerves. Most people can't handle a second interview for a desk job without sweating through their shirt, yet Ridley had to keep proving she could carry the weight of a galaxy.
She almost didn't make the cut. Abrams has mentioned in several interviews, including the behind-the-scenes documentaries on the Blu-ray releases, that he saw something "spiritual" in her. There’s this specific screen test where she has to show intense fear and tears while being interrogated by a (then-unseen) Kylo Ren. She nailed it. The raw vulnerability she brought to that room is why she beat out hundreds of other hopefuls. Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think about how different the sequels would have felt with a more established star.
Beyond the Scavenger: Daisy Ridley’s Career Before the Force
Before she was swinging a lightsaber, Ridley’s resume was pretty thin. She had done a few small stints on British television. You might spot her in an episode of Casualty or Mr. Selfridge if you’re looking closely enough. She even had a small role in the comedy film The Inbetweeners 2, but her scenes actually got cut from the final theatrical version. Talk about a rough start.
But that’s the beauty of the "Star Wars" casting tradition. George Lucas did the same thing with Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher back in the 70s. By choosing someone who plays Rey from Star Wars without a massive back catalog of work, Disney ensured that we only saw the character, not the celebrity.
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The Physical Toll of Being a Jedi
People often underestimate the sheer physicality required for these movies. Ridley didn't just show up and look pretty in robes. She went through months of "Jedi school." This involved heavy weightlifting, Bo-staff training (which helped her master Rey’s signature quarterstaff), and intense cardio.
She’s been very open about the struggle. In various interviews with Vogue and Elle, she discussed how the sudden fame led to physical manifestations of stress, including holes in her stomach lining and bouts of extreme anxiety. Being the person who plays Rey from Star Wars meant becoming a symbol for millions of young girls overnight. That’s a lot of pressure for a twenty-something.
The Evolution of Rey Across Three Films
Rey's journey is a rollercoaster, and Ridley had to navigate some pretty messy narrative shifts. In The Force Awakens, she's the wide-eyed scavenger. In The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson took her character into a more deconstructed, darker place. Finally, in The Rise of Skywalker, she had to embody the "Rey Skywalker" legacy.
Regardless of how you feel about the writing or the "Rey Nobody" vs. "Rey Palpatine" debate, Ridley’s performance remained the emotional anchor. She brought a specific kind of grit. She breathes heavily, she grunts during fights, and she looks genuinely exhausted by the end of a duel. That’s not "acting" in the traditional sense; that’s someone pouring their entire physical being into a role.
Key Facts About the Actress
- Birth Name: Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley.
- Born: April 10, 1992, in Westminster, London.
- Family: Her great-uncle was actually Arnold Ridley, a famous British actor known for Dad's Army.
- Education: She attended the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, specializing in musical theater. (Yes, she can sing!)
What Is Daisy Ridley Doing Now?
Post-Star Wars life is always tricky. Just ask Hayden Christensen. However, Ridley has kept her head down and focused on diverse projects. She starred in Murder on the Orient Express alongside heavyweights like Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench. She also voiced a character in Peter Rabbit and took on a lead role in the sci-fi flick Chaos Walking with Tom Holland.
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More recently, she’s been getting critical acclaim for indie projects like Sometimes I Think About Dying, where she plays a socially awkward office worker. It’s a complete 180 from the high-octane energy of the Star Wars universe. It shows that she isn't just "the girl with the lightsaber"—she’s a character actress with real range.
The Future: Is Rey Coming Back?
The short answer: Yes.
Lucasfilm announced at Star Wars Celebration that Daisy Ridley will return to the big screen. The new film, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, is set about fifteen years after The Rise of Skywalker. Rey will be the one building a new Jedi Order.
This is a massive deal. It makes Ridley the first lead from the sequel trilogy to officially step back into the role for a standalone feature. For those who grew up with her as their hero, it’s a chance to see Rey as a mentor rather than a student.
Why the "Mary Sue" Criticism Doesn't Hold Up
You can't talk about who plays Rey from Star Wars without mentioning the internet discourse. For years, trolls labeled the character a "Mary Sue"—a term for a character who is "too perfect" or gains skills too quickly.
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But if you actually watch Ridley’s performance, you see the cracks. You see the desperation for a family that abandoned her. You see her fail to convince Luke Skywalker to help the Resistance initially. Ridley plays Rey as someone who is deeply lonely and terrified of her own potential. That's not perfection; that's trauma. Ridley’s ability to layer that subtext into a popcorn flick is why the character has such a dedicated fanbase.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're inspired by Daisy Ridley's trajectory, there are a few "real world" takeaways from her story:
- Preparation is everything: She didn't just "get lucky." She spent months training before the cameras even rolled. If you want a high-stakes role (in any industry), your "off-season" work determines your success.
- The "Unknown" Advantage: Don't be afraid to be a newcomer. Sometimes, having no reputation is better than having a mediocre one. It allows you to define yourself entirely by your current project.
- Protect Your Mental Health: Ridley has been candid about deleting social media because of the toxicity. She taught us that you don't owe the public your private life, even if you’re the face of a global franchise.
- Diversify Your Portfolio: Notice how she jumped into voice acting, indie films, and classic mysteries right after Star Wars. Never let one "big" win define your entire career.
Understanding who plays Rey from Star Wars means looking past the CGI and the spaceships. It’s about a young woman from London who took on the biggest role in cinema history and came out the other side with her integrity intact. Whether she's Rey "Nobody," Rey Palpatine, or Rey Skywalker, Daisy Ridley has cemented her place in cinematic history.
To keep up with her latest work, look for the upcoming film Young Woman and the Sea, where she plays Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. It’s another physically demanding role that proves she isn't done pushing herself. Keep an eye on the trades like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter for the official production start date of her new Star Wars film, which is currently in active development.