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The 14-year-old plays Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young traveler whose search for justice draws Kara Zor-El into an interstellar pursuit
NEW YORK — Filipino-British actress Eve Ridley makes her feature-film debut in “Supergirl,” appearing opposite title star Milly Alcock in a major supporting role in the DC Studios production.
Ridley, 14, joined Alcock and other cast members at the film’s world premiere June 22 in Brooklyn, New York. The movie began opening internationally June 24 and is scheduled to open in theaters and IMAX across North America on June 26.
She plays Ruthye Marye Knoll, a determined young traveler whose search for justice after an attack on her family draws Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl, into a pursuit across several worlds.
Ridley said she completed several auditions before learning that she had secured the role. Her previous screen credits include Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” and the BBC medical drama “Casualty.” She also performed voice work for the children’s animated series “Peppa Pig.”
Directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira, “Supergirl” was inspired by “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” the 2021-22 comic-book series written by Tom King and illustrated by Bilquis Evely.
Ridley said she read the comic series and studied its characters before filming. She also underwent about two months of stunt preparation that included martial arts, boxing, sword fighting and wire work.
Ridley said the production introduced her to the scale and physical demands of major studio filmmaking. She credited Alcock with helping her adjust by answering questions and offering guidance during filming.
Screenwriter Ana Nogueira described Ridley as professional and self-possessed and said the actresses developed an immediate sisterly rapport. Ridley said Ruthye’s formal, composed manner provides a contrast to Kara’s more casual and unpredictable personality.
Ridley said some of her reactions on camera drew from genuine surprise. She recalled first seeing Matthias Schoenaerts after he had been transformed through costume, hair and makeup into Krem of the Yellow Hills. The encounter, she said, produced a sense of fear that she used in the scene.
She also recalled Jason Momoa checking that parts of his Lobo costume were not hurting her during a physical sequence. Ridley said Momoa paid close attention to her safety as they performed the scene.
The cast also includes David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham, with David Corenswet appearing as Superman. Peter Safran and James Gunn produced the film for DC Studios.
Born in Tyneside, England, Ridley has described her Filipino background as coming through her maternal family. She said her grandmother grew up in the Philippines and her mother is half Filipino.
Ridley said she has not yet visited the country but hopes to travel there, see its beaches and learn Tagalog so she can communicate more easily with relatives.
“Supergirl” marks Ridley’s first role in a major studio feature. As Ruthye, she sets the story in motion by enlisting Kara in a mission that takes them across several worlds in pursuit of Krem.
