Murder On The Orient Express: 7 Reasons To Hop Onboard

It took a steam engine to make the woman who brandishes lightsabers quake in her boots. After some early bouts with anxiety, Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley accepted her first dramatic role as the governess Mary in Murder on the Orient Express.

Fans of the legendary sci-fi movies will receive a glimpse into Ridley's career post-Rey and into her capabilities as a performer. Ridley admitted in Entertainment Weekly that she was "petrified" about playing a "non-space agey" role. Her character Mary expresses a wide range of emotions in Christie's thriller so it was no easy task for drama novice Ridley.

However, as an independent governess, Mary parallels the fortitude of loner Rey. The forward-thinking Mary shares a romance with passenger Dr. Arbuthnot. Ridley will likely bring the vulnerability and vigor of Rey into Mary's complex love story. It should be a more modernistic coupling than the one in the book even if it takes place on a train instead of the Millenial Falcon.

Since stepping out of the Star Wars canon, Ridley's resume has diversified in a commendable way. Murder on the Orient Express was the initial stepping stone. After leaving Mary behind, Ridley won the title role of the film Ophelia, one of the most complicated females in Shakespeare's tragedies. There's no question that portraying the mysterious Mary has given her the confidence to pursue other dramatic parts.

Daisy Ridley's departure steered her to a brighter path beyond the galaxy-filled franchise.