Thandie Newton: Star Wars role is a big deal
The British actress said a toy of her Star Wars character will be made.
Star Wars newcomer Thandie Newton has said she is the first woman of colour to have a prominent role in the space saga.
The British actress, 45, is in the forthcoming Han Solo spin-off film, although little is known about her part or the plot.
However, she has now teased that her role will be a significant one, telling Radio Times magazine: “I’m the first woman of colour to have a prominent role in the Star Wars legacy.
“I’m the first. I’m going to have a toy and everything.
“It’s exciting, but that’s all I can say. It is a big deal.”
The Line Of Duty star will be joined by Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke in Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is due to be released in the UK in May.
“Sci-fi really captures people’s attention like nothing else, but the fans are absolutely bonkers,” she said.
“I took my four-year-old to a park in Los Angeles last year, but I didn’t realise there was a huge Star Wars convention taking place up the road. All these grown-up men dressed as Stormtroopers were riding around on a kids’ train in the park.
“It was the most surreal sight.”
The Radio Times is out on Tuesday.
