By Saad, Business Executive & Advertising/Design Development Lead
More Than Just a Jedi
When Daisy Ridley first burst onto the screen in 2015, clutching a scavenger’s staff and staring across the desert sands of Jakku, the world saw a Star Wars hero. But today, if you look closer, you’ll see something far more compelling: a resilient artist who has navigated the crushing weight of instant fame, pivoted into producing gritty indie films, and bravely faced a life-altering health diagnosis.
For millions of fans, Daisy Ridley is forever Rey Skywalker. But for those of us paying attention to the nuances of Hollywood, she is currently writing the most interesting chapter of her career yet. From her critically acclaimed performance as Gertrude Ederle in Young Woman and the Sea to her recent revelation about living with Graves’ disease, Ridley is dismantling the “perfect blockbuster star” image to reveal a human being of profound depth.
In this deep dive, we explore Daisy Ridley’s evolution from a galaxy far, far away to her powerhouse producer era in 2025, her collaboration with husband Tom Bateman, and the specific steps she’s taking to secure her legacy.
The Indie Pivot: Why Magpie and Young Woman and the Sea Matter
Many actors struggle to shed the skin of a franchise character. Ridley, however, didn’t just shed the skin—she reinvented the game.
The Producer’s Chair
One of the smartest moves Ridley made post-Skywalker was launching her own production career. This isn’t just a vanity project; it’s a strategic play for longevity.
- Magpie (2024): A tense noir thriller written by her husband, Tom Bateman. Ridley didn’t just star as Anette; she developed the story. The film’s exploration of a toxic marriage showcased a darker, more jagged side of her acting range that Disney never touched.
- Young Woman and the Sea (2024): As Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel, Ridley delivered a performance of “quiet power.” This role was physically grueling and proved she could carry a biopic with the same intensity she brought to lightsaber duels.
Expert Insight: “From a strategic branding perspective, the ‘producer pivot’ is essential for longevity. Ridley isn’t just an actress anymore; she’s building a diversified portfolio, moving from a franchise asset to a creative stakeholder who controls the narrative.”
A Private Battle: Living with Graves’ Disease
In August 2024, Daisy Ridley shattered the illusion of celebrity invincibility by revealing her diagnosis of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid to overproduce hormones.
Identifying the Symptoms
Ridley initially dismissed her symptoms—racing heart, hand tremors, and extreme fatigue—as stress from filming Magpie. This is a common mistake many high-performers make.
- The “Tired and Wired” Feeling: Ridley described feeling exhausted yet unable to relax, a classic symptom of hyperthyroidism.
- The Diagnosis: It wasn’t until she saw an endocrinologist that she understood her body was attacking itself.
Why This Matters for Fans
By speaking openly about Graves’ disease (alongside her battles with Endometriosis and PCOS), Ridley has become a beacon for women’s health advocacy. She reminds us that even “superheroes” have biological limits.
Practical Tip: If you are experiencing persistent racing heartbeats or tremors, do not dismiss it as “just stress.” Ridley’s story is a reminder to advocate for your own health and seek a specialist.
The Power Couple: Daisy Ridley & Tom Bateman
While many celebrity marriages are splashed across tabloids, Ridley and Tom Bateman have mastered the art of privacy.
- The Meeting: The pair met on the set of Murder on the Orient Express and married quietly in January 2023.
- The Collaboration: They are becoming a creative force. Bateman wrote Magpie specifically for Ridley, tailoring the role to showcase range he knew she possessed but hadn’t yet shown the world.
- The Dynamic: In interviews, they describe a partnership grounded in mutual creative respect, cooking up film ideas during car rides and quiet weekends.
Return to the Galaxy: Updates on Star Wars: New Jedi Order
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Is Rey returning?
As of December 2025, the answer is yes, but patience is required. Despite rumors of cancellation, Ridley has confirmed that the Star Wars: New Jedi Order film (directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy) is still in active development.
What We Know (2025 Update):
- Status: Scripts are being refined. Ridley recently told IGN that “the wait will be worth it.”
- Timeline: With The Mandalorian & Grogu slated for 2026, a Rey-centric film is likely looking at a 2027 release window.
- The Plot: Set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, Rey works to rebuild the Jedi Order in a galaxy that may not want them back.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t trust clickbait YouTube channels claiming the movie is “dead.” In Hollywood, a “delayed” script is normal for a franchise of this magnitude. Disney is being cautious to avoid the narrative pitfalls of the sequel trilogy.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
Ridley’s calendar is packed, and the variety of genres is intentional. She is avoiding being typecast at all costs.
- The Last Resort (2026): A rom-com set in the Philippines, co-starring Alden Ehrenreich (a fun Han Solo/Rey reunion of sorts).
- Cleaner (2025): An action-thriller set in the Shard in London. Think Die Hard, but with Ridley saving 300 hostages.
- We Bury the Dead: A survival thriller where she plays a woman searching for her husband in the aftermath of a catastrophe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What disease does Daisy Ridley have? A: Daisy Ridley was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in September 2023. It is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. She also suffers from Endometriosis and PCOS.
Q: Is Daisy Ridley married? A: Yes, she has been married to actor and writer Tom Bateman since January 2023.
Q: Will Daisy Ridley play Rey again? A: Yes. She is attached to star in the upcoming film commonly referred to as Star Wars: New Jedi Order, though a specific release date has not been finalized as of late 2025.
Q: Did Daisy Ridley produce Magpie? A: Yes, she is credited as a producer on the film and developed the original story idea, which her husband then wrote.
Q: What is Daisy Ridley’s net worth? A: While estimates vary, most financial sources peg her net worth around $9–$12 million, largely stemming from her Star Wars backend deals and her growing portfolio as a producer.
The Force is Still Strong
Daisy Ridley is no longer just the girl from Jakku. She is a producer, a survivor of chronic illness, and a versatile actress capable of carrying everything from high-octane action in Cleaner to emotional biopics like Young Woman and the Sea.
For the searcher looking for the “real” Daisy Ridley, the answer isn’t found in a lightsaber duel. It’s found in her refusal to settle. She has taken the massive platform given to her by Star Wars and used it to build a career defined by substance, not just spectacle.
Whether she’s battling Sith Lords or thyroid antibodies, Ridley handles it all with a British stiff upper lip and a disarming smile. And honestly? We can’t wait to see what she produces next.
FAQ related To Star Wars
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What is higher than a Jedi?
In the formal Jedi hierarchy, the ranks go:
Youngling – Force-sensitive children in training
Padawan – Apprentice to a Jedi Knight or Master
Jedi Knight – Fully trained Jedi who has passed their trials
Jedi Master – Knights who have shown exceptional skill, wisdom, and often trained a Padawan to knighthood
Beyond Master, there aren’t really “higher ranks” in the traditional sense, but rather positions of leadership and distinction:
Jedi Council Member – Masters selected to serve on the Jedi High Council (usually 12 members), who guide the Order’s policies and decisions
Grand Master – The most senior and respected member of the Order, essentially the leader of the Jedi Council (like Yoda during the prequel era) -
What was Qui Gon Jinn’s famous line?
Qui-Gon Jinn’s most famous line is probably:
“Your focus determines your reality.”
He says this to young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace when they’re walking through Mos Espa. It’s become one of the most quoted lines from the prequels because it captures Qui-Gon’s philosophical, mindful approach to the Force and life in general.
Another very memorable line of his is “There’s always a bigger fish,” which he says right after they escape the opee sea killer only to watch it get eaten by an even larger creature on Naboo. This one has become a popular meme and general life wisdom.
Both lines really embody Qui-Gon’s character – he was more of a philosophical, “living in the moment” Jedi compared to the more rigid Council members.
