Daisy Ridley is an English actress who became a global household name when she was cast as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Since then, she has worked steadily across a range of independent films, thrillers, and period dramas, with major projects like Magpie, Cleaner, and a potential return to a galaxy far, far away on the horizon.
Born in London, Ridley was catapulted into stardom at the age of 23. Her career since has been a study in managing massive franchise fame while carving out space for smaller, more personal stories.
Here is a comprehensive look at her background, career, personal life, and what lies ahead.
Who Is Daisy Ridley? Her Background and Early Life
Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley
10 April 1992 (age 32), London, England
5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
$3 million – $5 million
Key Insights About Daisy Ridley
- Rose to global fame as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015–2019).
- Has deliberately chosen independent and smaller projects post-Star Wars, including Sometimes I Think About Dying and the psychological thriller Magpie.
- In a long-term relationship with actor Tom Bateman, whom she reportedly met on the set of Murder on the Orient Express.
- Her net worth is estimated between $3–5 million, primarily from her Star Wars salary and backend residuals.
- A return as Rey in an upcoming Star Wars film has been officially announced, with a script in development (Dec 2023 announcement).
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley |
| Date of Birth | 10 April 1992 |
| Age (2025) | 32 |
| Place of Birth | Westminster, London, England |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Notable Role | Rey in Star Wars (2015–2019) |
| Partner | Tom Bateman (married, per multiple sources) |
| Net Worth (est.) | $3–5 million (some sources estimate $9 million) |
| @daisyridley (view profile) | |
| Upcoming Film | Magpie (2024/2025 release) |
Ridley was born to Louise Fawkner-Corbett and Chris Ridley. According to IMDb and biographical sources, she is the great-niece of actor Arnold Ridley. She trained at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, graduating in 2010.
Despite frequent online searches, there is no verified information linking Daisy Ridley to director Ridley Scott, and the name “Chloe Ridley” as a sibling is unconfirmed. “Ridley” is her mother’s maiden name.
Full Movie and TV Show Filmography
Ridley’s breakout came in 2015 when she was cast as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a role that made her internationally famous. She reprised the character in The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
After Star Wars, her film work expanded across genres. She appeared in projects including Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Peter Rabbit (voice role, 2018), Chaos Walking (2021), Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023), The Marsh King’s Daughter (2023), and Young Woman and the Sea (2024).
Key Films in Her Career
- Scrawl (2015)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) as Rey
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) as Rey
- Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
- Peter Rabbit (2018, voice)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) as Rey
- Chaos Walking (2021)
- Twelve Minutes (2021, video game voice role)
- Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023)
- The Marsh King’s Daughter (2023)
- Magpie (2024) as Anette
- Young Woman and the Sea (2024) as Gertrude Ederle
- Butterfly Journey (2025, narrator)
- Cleaner (2025) as Joey Locke
- We Bury the Dead (2025)
- Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (listed as a 2027 project in some sources)
She also moved into producing and story development on Magpie, where she is credited as a producer and story writer according to some listings. More details on Magpie can be found later in this article.
Is Daisy Ridley Married? Relationship and Husband Details
Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and several entertainment outlets, state that Ridley is married to actor Tom Bateman. It has been reported that she confirmed the marriage in January 2023 during the Sundance Film Festival.
She reportedly met Bateman on the set of Murder on the Orient Express in 2017. According to biographical sources, the couple lives in Primrose Hill, London.
Tom Bateman is an English actor known for roles in Murder on the Orient Express, Vanity Fair, and Beecham House. He and Ridley have kept their relationship relatively private, with no widely publicized wedding photos or official joint statements.
The question of whether Ridley has children has also emerged in public searches. According to interviews she gave in 2023 (including to The Times), she is not a mother. No credible reports suggest otherwise.
Daisy Ridley Net Worth and Social Media Presence
Estimates of Ridley’s net worth vary. One source, Screen Dollars, places the figure at approximately $9 million. Other calculations, based on her Star Wars salary (estimated between $500,000 and $1 million for the first film, plus back-end residuals), suggest a range of $3 million to $5 million. These figures should all be treated as estimates rather than verified financial disclosures.
Ridley maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @daisyridley, where she has over 566,000 followers. She uses the platform to share updates about her projects, including Magpie and Young Woman and the Sea.
What Is Next for Daisy Ridley? Upcoming Projects and Magpie
The Magpie Project
Magpie is a psychological thriller in which Ridley stars as Anette. According to sources, she also served as a producer and story writer on the film. Magpie premiered on the festival circuit before securing distribution in the U.S. and U.K./Ireland.
Star Wars Return
The topic of Ridley’s return to Star Wars has generated significant speculation. A fan-run website (daisy-ridley.com) claimed she was “confirmed to return as Rey in a Star Wars film set 15 years after Rise of Skywalker.” However, this claim is not corroborated by the stronger biographical sources in this set, such as Wikipedia or IMDb, and should be treated cautiously. Official announcements from Lucasfilm in December 2023 did confirm a new Star Wars film featuring Rey is in development, but specific details about the storyline or release date remain unconfirmed.
Other Upcoming Films
Based on available sources from Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia, Ridley’s upcoming or recent projects include:
- Cleaner (2025)
- Butterfly Journey (2025, narrator)
- We Bury the Dead (2025)
- A Woman of No Importance (year not fully shown in the excerpt)
- Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (listed as a 2027 project)
The Star Wars return is officially in development, but a specific release date and full plot details are not yet public. A fan site claims a “confirmation” that is not backed by major industry sources. Always check official Lucasfilm announcements for the most reliable information.
Daisy Ridley: Career and Life Timeline
- 1992: Born in London, England to Chris Ridley (photographer) and Louise Fawkner-Corbett (bank officer).
- 2013–2014: Early TV roles in Young Dracula, Mr. Selfridge, and Silent Witness. Auditions for Star Wars.
- 2015: Cast as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Global breakout role.
- 2017: Star Wars: The Last Jedi released. Begins relationship with Tom Bateman on the set of Murder on the Orient Express.
- 2019: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker released. Takes a break for mental health.
- 2020–2022: Returns with indie films: Chaos Walking, Sometimes I Think About Dying.
- 2023: Star Wars return announced at Celebration. Filmed Magpie and We Bury the Dead.
- 2024–2025: Promotion of Magpie and Young Woman and the Sea. Cleaner and Butterfly Journey released.
Certainty vs. Rumor: What Is Confirmed About Daisy Ridley?
| Claim | Established Information | What Remains Unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Married to Tom Bateman | Multiple sources report they are married, with confirmation in Jan 2023. | No official public statement or wedding photos from the couple. |
| Net worth of $9 million | One source estimates this figure. | Range of $3M–$9M from different sources; no audited financial disclosure. |
| Return as Rey | Lucasfilm announced a new film in development (Dec 2023). | Full script, release date, and specific plot details are not yet public. |
| Sibling names (e.g., Chloe Ridley) | She has a younger brother and sister. | Their names are not widely publicized; “Chloe Ridley” is not verified as a sibling. |
Context: Daisy Ridley’s Career Trajectory and Why It Matters
Daisy Ridley’s career trajectory is a case study in managing post-franchise fame. After leading the Star Wars sequel trilogy, she deliberately stepped back from major blockbusters, prioritizing mental health and creative independence.
Her choice to work on lower-budget, character-driven films like Sometimes I Think About Dying reflects a strategic repositioning similar to other franchise stars (e.g., Robert Pattinson).
The confirmed return to Star Wars is financially significant and signals a new creative direction for the franchise under new leadership. Her private personal life, particularly her relationship with Tom Bateman, has been a persistent topic of fan and media interest, with limited official confirmation.
Sources and Quotes on Daisy Ridley
Key quotes from Ridley and others help contextualize her decisions and public persona:
“I thought, ‘I don’t think I can do this again.’ But then I thought, ‘Actually, this is a really good story.’”
— Daisy Ridley on returning to Star Wars, The Hollywood Reporter, 2023.
“I’ve kind of built a life that doesn’t rely on work, which is nice.”
— Daisy Ridley, The Times (UK), 2023.
“We are so excited to bring Daisy back into the fold. She is an incredible talent and we have a story worth telling.”
— Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm President, Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Summary: What You Need to Know About Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley is an English actress who rose to fame as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. She has since built a diverse career spanning independent dramas, thrillers, and voice work. She is reportedly married to actor Tom Bateman and maintains a relatively private personal life. Her net worth is estimated between $3 million and $9 million, primarily from her Star Wars earnings. A new Star Wars film featuring her return as Rey is in development, while her most recent projects include Magpie and Cleaner.
For more on her iconic role, read our Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker review and explore our list of Top English actors of the 2010s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Daisy Ridley have children?
No, Daisy Ridley does not have children and has stated in interviews that she is not a mother.
Is Daisy Ridley related to Ridley Scott?
No confirmed relation to director Ridley Scott. “Ridley” is her mother’s maiden name.
Where does Daisy Ridley live?
She is based in London but also spends time in the US for work. Sources indicate she lives in Primrose Hill, London.
What is Daisy Ridley’s educational background?
She attended Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, England, graduating in 2010.
Does Daisy Ridley have any siblings besides Chloe?
She has a younger brother and a younger sister. Their names have not been publicly confirmed; “Chloe Ridley” is not verified as a sibling.
What is Daisy Ridley’s nationality?
She is English, born in Westminster, London, England.
How tall is Daisy Ridley?
She is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.
What was Daisy Ridley’s role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy?
She played the lead character Rey, a scavenger from Jakku who becomes a Jedi, across all three films (2015–2019).
Is Daisy Ridley on Instagram?
Yes, her handle is @daisyridley, where she posts about her projects and personal interests.
What is the movie Magpie about?
Magpie is a psychological thriller starring Daisy Ridley as Anette. She also served as a producer and story writer on the film.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.