Daisy Ridley’s biography is a fascinating success story, showing how she went from humble beginnings to becoming a star. Born in Westminster, London, Ridley gained worldwide fame as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Her dedication and natural talent have made her an influential figure in the film industry, capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere. Ridley’s career continues to thrive as she takes on diverse roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Biography Summary
Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley is a well-known English actress who was born on 10 April 1992. Her rise to fame began with her portrayal of Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which included The Force Awakens in 2015, The Last Jedi in 2017, and The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
Her acting career flourished as she took on diverse roles across various genres. In 2017, Ridley starred in the mystery film Murder on the Orient Express. She followed that by playing the lead in the romantic drama Ophelia in 2018 and lent her voice to the live-action/animated movie Peter Rabbit the same year. Ridley’s voice talents also extended to video games, including her role in Twelve Minutes, released in 2021.
In recent years, Ridley has secured leading roles in several significant films. These include the dystopian sci-fi Chaos Walking in 2021, the independent drama Sometimes I Think About Dying in 2023, and the psychological thriller The Marsh King’s Daughter also in 2023. Her portrayal of Gertrude Ederle further showcased her versatility as an actress in the biographical drama Young Woman and the Sea, set for release in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Daisy Ridley was born on April 10, 1992, in the London borough of Westminster and was raised in Maida Vale. She is the youngest child in a family of five daughters. Her father, Christopher Ridley, is a photographer, while her mother, Louise Fawkner-Corbett, works in internal communications for a bank.1 Daisy has two older sisters, Kika Rose and Poppy Sophia, and two older half-sisters. Her family background is quite distinguished; the Fawkner-Corbetts, her maternal relatives, have roots in the military and medical fields. Her great-uncle Arnold Ridley was a military man and a renowned playwright and actor, famously known for his role as Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army. Her grandfather, John Harry Dunn Ridley, significantly contributed to the BBC, serving as the head of the Engineering Secretariat from 1950 to 1965.
Hope makes people good, a lot of the time. You hope for a brighter future, and resentment is outweighed.
Daisy Ridley
While growing up, Daisy’s favorite movie was “Matilda” She looked up to the film’s main character as a role model. Although not initially a huge fan of Star Wars, she was an ardent follower of the Harry Potter series. Her academic journey included a scholarship to Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, which she attended from nine until she turned eighteen. Later, she pursued classical civilization studies at Birkbeck, University of London, but left to focus on her acting career.
Before her breakout role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ridley worked as a bartender in London for nearly two years. In 2016, she resumed her education by pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in social science through online courses offered by the Open University.
Career
2013–2015: Early Career and Star Wars
Daisy Ridley’s acting career began with modest roles in television series such as Youngers, Toast of London, Silent Witness, Mr Selfridge, and Casualty. Her early work also included a role in the short film Blue Season, part of the Sci-Fi-London 48-Hour Film Challenge. She took on a leading role in the interactive movie Lifesaver, which was recognized with a BAFTA Award nomination. Additionally, Ridley appeared in the music video for Wiley’s song “Lights On,” portraying the character Kim. Her first film role was in the 2015 British independent horror film Scrawl, although she had filmed scenes for The Inbetweeners 2 that were ultimately not included in the film’s final version.
Ridley’s significant breakthrough came in April 2014, when she was cast as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The announcement marked her transition to major cinematic roles, having been relatively unknown at the time of director J.J. Abrams’s selection. This casting strategy echoed George Lucas‘s earlier practice of choosing emerging actors for pivotal roles in the original Star Wars film in 1977.
Filming for her scenes started in May 2014 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Before the movie’s release in December 2015, Ridley participated in promotional activities, including launching a set of Star Wars postage stamps by the UK’s Royal Mail, where her character Rey and the droid BB-8 were featured on a stamp. The Force Awakens became a monumental success, earning over $2 billion globally and emerging as the highest-grossing film of 2015. Ridley’s performance was universally praised, with critic Richard Roeper highlighting her as a “breakout performance” and noting her dynamic chemistry with co-stars Harrison Ford and John Boyega.2
2016–present: Ongoing Career
Since 2016, Daisy Ridley has continued to develop her career, venturing into new roles, including that of an executive producer. In January 2016, she took on the production role for the documentary The Eagle Huntress, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival later that month; she also contributed her voice as the narrator for the film’s broader release. That same year, Ridley joined forces with Anne Hathaway and Barbra Streisand for the album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway. They performed the song “At the Ballet” from A Chorus Line, with Ridley playing Bebe, a dancer auditioning for a new show.
In 2017, Ridley portrayed Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express, directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also starred in the film. Filming began in London in November 2016. She reprised her role as Rey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi alongside Mark Hamill, released in December 2017.
In 2018, Ridley starred as the lead in Ophelia, a creative reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. She filmed this project from April to July 2017, and it debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. In the same year, she voiced the character of Cottontail in the film adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit.
In December 2019, Ridley appeared as Rey once more in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final chapter of the sequel trilogy.3 Although she initially expressed reluctance to return to the role, she later opened up to the possibility, acknowledging the vast potential of the Star Wars universe for new stories.
Your life goes on, and then your life goes on plus ‘Star Wars.’ It’s just been an incredible time.
Daisy Ridley
Ridley co-starred in Chaos Walking, which was released on March 5, 2021. Despite facing delays from reshoots and the COVID-19 pandemic, Ridley’s performance was a standout in the otherwise negatively received film. That same year, she also contributed her voice to the critically acclaimed video game Twelve Minutes, which featured James McAvoy and Willem Dafoe.
In 2022, Ridley made an unexpected appearance in Judd Apatow’s movie The Bubble, playing a unique role as a horny AI. The following year, she hosted a True Spies podcast miniseries focusing on Lee Harvey Oswald, showcasing her versatility in varying entertainment mediums.
Her busy schedule continued as she took on the lead role in The Marsh King’s Daughter, which was filmed in Ontario, Canada, from June to August 2021. She also voiced a character in the French stop-motion animated film The Inventor, which premiered in the United States in September 2023 and is set for release in France in 2024. Additionally, Ridley served as a main producer for the first time on the indie film Sometimes I Think About Dying, shot in Astoria, Oregon, under the direction of Rachel Lambert.
Upcoming Projects
Daisy Ridley continues to expand her dynamic career with several exciting projects on the horizon. She is set to lead a sci-fi mystery thriller titled Mind Fall under Mathieu Kassovitz’s direction. Additionally, she has been cast in a Walt Disney Pictures biopic, Young Woman and the Sea, portraying the swimmer Gertrude Ederle.
In May 2022, Ridley announced her involvement in Magpie, a contemporary noir thriller based on her original story idea. Written by her partner, Tom Bateman, and directed by Sam Yates, this project promises to be a gripping “Hitchcockian thriller.” Ridley will not only star in the film but also produce it alongside Bateman and Kate Solomon of 55 Films. Filming for Magpie commenced in London in January 2023.
Adding to her busy schedule, Ridley confirmed her return to the Star Wars universe during the Star Wars Celebration on April 7, 2023. She will reprise her iconic role as Rey in an upcoming yet-to-be-titled Star Wars film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy—her appearance on stage at the event excited fans about her character’s future in the beloved franchise.
Personal Life
Daisy Ridley lives in Primrose Hill, London, and has been in a committed relationship with actor Tom Bateman since 2017, whom she met while filming Murder on the Orient Express. In January 2023, the couple announced they had married at the Sundance Film Festival.4
In a candid reveal in 2016, Ridley shared that she was diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome when she was fifteen, which led her to undergo multiple laparoscopic surgeries. She has spoken openly about how the condition affected her self-confidence, mainly due to the acne that ensued.
Ridley has also experienced significant challenges with social media. After the 2016 Teen Choice Awards, where she posted an anti-gun violence message, she faced backlash. Critics highlighted what they saw as hypocrisy, citing the violence in her Star Wars films. This criticism led her to delete her social media accounts, though she briefly returned to Instagram, stating she needed fewer distractions due to a busy schedule. In 2017, she commented on the adverse effects of social media on mental health, describing it as “highly unhealthy.” She elaborated on her views in a 2019 interview, expressing skepticism about the negative aspects of online platforms and deciding against returning to social media.
However, on April 4, 2022, Ridley returned to Instagram after six years. She marked her return with a post that showed her sipping tea, signaling a period of self-care and what she termed her “Year of Yes.” Her Orient Express co-star Leslie Odom Jr. and Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo warmly received this post, welcoming her back to the platform.
Awards
- 2015: Zed Fest Film Festival Outstanding Acting Performance for Scrawl
- 2015: Florida Film Critics Circle FCC Breakout Award for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- 2016: Empire Awards Best Female Newcomer
- 2016: MTV Movie Awards Best Breakthrough Performance
- 2016: Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Breakout Star
- 2018: Empire Awards Best Actress for Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Final Reflections
Daisy Ridley’s biography is a remarkable success story in Hollywood. From her breakthrough as Rey in Star Wars to her continued accomplishments in film, Ridley’s career showcases the impact of hard work and talent. Her journey inspires many, proving that dedication and passion can lead to incredible achievements in the entertainment industry.
Reference List for Daisy Ridley’s Biography
- Saner, Emine. “How Daisy Ridley Went from Bit Parts to Lead in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The Guardian, 28 Nov. 2015. ↩︎
- Roeper, Richard. “‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: Thrills Are Strong with This One.” Chicago Sun-Times, 16 Dec. 2015. ↩︎
- Parker, Ryan. “J.J. Abrams to Replace Colin Trevorrow as ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Writer and Director.” The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sept. 2017. ↩︎
- Outlaw, Kofi. “Star Wars Actress Daisy Ridley Confirms Major Rumor About Her Romantic Life.” ComicBook.com, 24 Jan. 2023. ↩︎
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