Although Ireland's connection to Star Wars is primarily rooted in Skellig Michael doubling for Ahch-To, there's only been a handful of Irish actors who've turned up in a galaxy far, far away.
Liam Neeson, as we know, played Qui-Gonn Jinn in Episode I: The Phantom Menace whilst Dermot Crowley played General Madine in Return of the Jedi. There's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role from Bronagh Gallagher in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, too.
The grand tradition of Irish actors in supporting roles in Star Wars continues as it's been confirmed that Newry's own Valene Kane is set to star in Rogue One as Felicity Jones' on-screen mother. Our guess is that it'll be something like a flashback scene, as Valene Kane is 29 years old and couldn't possibly play the mother of Felicity Jones, who's 32.
Unless there's time-travel involved. Which there probably isn't. Audience will recognise Valene Kane as Rose Stagg, the ex-girlfriend of Phil Spector in The Fall, or from 2012's cracking Northern Ireland crime thriller Jump. She also turned up on BBC's Thirteen, as DS Merchant. Valene Kane will star alongside Mads Mikkelsen, who'll be playing Galen Erso, the father of Felicity Jones' character.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Kane said that "grew up watching Stars Wars and I didn’t believe it was happening until I was filming in Iceland. It has a really edgy independent vibe.”
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set for an Irish release date of December 17th.
Via BelfastLive