Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley went from relative obscurity to being cast in the much-hyped reboot of the "Star Wars" franchise, "Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens" (2015). Ridley was born in Westminster, London. Her mother worked in internal communications, while her father was a photographer. Her great uncle was the actor Arnold Ridley, best known for his work on the British comedy show "Dad's Army" (BBC 1968-1977). Ridley studied at the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, England, from which she graduated in 2010. She began her professional acting career in 2013 with small roles on British television shows. She appeared on the long-running and famous British hospital drama "Casualty" (BBC 1986-) in 2013. Turning to voice work, she voiced the lead in the animated indie horror flick "Scrawl" (2015). In April 2014, it was announced that Ridley would appear in a lead role in the J.J. Abrams-helmed reboot of the "Star Wars" series. Following director George Lucas' tradition in the original films, which cast many obscure actors in lead roles, Ridley joined several other unknowns in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015) cast as Rey, a scrappy scavenger.