Daisy Ridley: Meet Star Wars' First Leading Lady

Here's everything you need to know about Star War's newest heroine

Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. Three names that mean a whole lot to millions of people - and on December 18th, a new trio from a galaxy far, far away is about to be introduced to the world. And the leader of that group? None other than Rey, the first female lead of a Star Wars series ever played by Daisy Ridley.

Released in 1977, the epic space opera Star Wars has since become a worldwide phenomenon, spanning six films, comic books, merchandise and video games. The latest film in the franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes 38 years later, and is set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi (that's the last one with Luke & co, FYI) with a new generation of characters facing the threat of the 'dark side' - Finn, Poe Dameron and Daisy's Rey.

While not much is known about the film, considering each film has dealt with a member of the Skywalker clan, over at Marie Claire HQ, we've been speculating that Rey might actually be the daughter of everyone's favourite space couple, Han Solo and Princess Leia…

Rey Solo, anyone?

Who Does Daisy Play In Star Wars: The Force Awakens? First thing's first, right?

Well Daisy's character Rey (last name, unknown), has been described as a scavenger living on the desert planet Jakku – which might ring a bell or two to some Star Wars fans as Rey's origins sound remarkably similar to Luke's beginnings in the first Star Wars, non?.

She's The FIRST Female Lead

Source: Instagram.com/DaisyRidley

Despite the series featuring some badass heroines - Princess Leia and Padmé Amidala, we're looking at you - the women were always slightly sidelined in favour of the male hero's journey. Princess Leia needed Luke to rescue her, and Padmé went from Queen of a planet to wife of a newly-disenfranchised Anakin. Daisy Ridley's Rey will mark the first time a woman is the lead, and the trailer suggests her hero's journey will be just as important as Luke and Anakin's – which will no doubt cement her as one of cinema's finest feminist heroes.

Source: Walt Disney Studios via MTV.com

Star Wars Is Her First Feature Film

At only 23-years-old, Daisy Ridley has come a long way already in her short career. Born in West London, she only had a few credits to her name before she nabbed the most coveted role in Hollywood. You may recognise her from TV, having starred in Youngers, Toast of London and Mr. Selfridges (above). It took her only two years of bit parts before she nabbed Star Wars over seasoned veterans like Elizabeth Olsen and Shailene Woodley.

She And John Boyega Have Serious Chemistry

As the youngest stars in the series, there's a lot riding on Daisy and John Boyega - who plays stormtrooper Finn - to live up to some epic Star Wars pairings. Good thing for us, they have real chemistry on and off-screen. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Daisy admitted she and John have become 'like brother and sister… We get on really well and we make each other laugh.' Though it's still unknown what the relationship is between Rey and Finn, we're more than happy to start rooting for the two as this generation's Han and Leia.

She's A Fangirl Just Like Us

Source: Instagram.com/DaisyRidley

Despite not being a huge Star Wars fan prior to casting, Daisy has become just as obsessed with the series as, well, us. Posting on her Instagram, the star regularly posts reactions to new info, acting like a fangirl and crying after seeing herself in the trailers.

Regularly sharing her excitement about the movies release on her Instagram account, when she saw the official Drew Struzan poster, she wrote: 'Excuse my teeth but ERMAGERD how cool is this poster!!! #D23EXPO #starwars #theforceawakens.' We'd be grinning too, Dais...

Want to see Daisy in action? Check out the Star Wars trailer here.

Suffice to say though Daisy, we've already got our ticket for next month's big release!