Daisy Ridley has responded to critics who have labelled Rey, her Star Wars character, a so-called “Mary Sue”.

“Mary Sue”, a term whose origins lie in fan fiction, is used to describe a female character who is so perfect as to be unrealistic or even annoying. The male equivalent is known as a “Marty Stu”.

During an interview with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ridley said she was “confused” when some fans attached this label to her The Force Awakens heroine.


“The Mary Sue thing in itself is sexist because it’s the name of a woman,” Ridley said. “Everyone was saying that Luke had the exact same [capabilities].”

“I think Rey is incredible vulnerable, and nothing she’s doing is for the greater good,” Ridley added. “She’s just doing what she thinks is the right thing. And she doesn’t want to do some of it, but she feels compelled to do it. So for me, I was just confused.”

British actress Ridley was introduced as Rey in last year’s Episode VII: The Force Awakens. She will reprise the role in Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is expected to be released in 2017.

Ridley has recently confirmed when Star Wars will reveal who Rey’s parents are.