Star Wars: The 20 Best Female Characters, Ranked

Ever since Star Wars debuted in the 1970s, the franchise has been known for its strong female characters – but who are the best? In many ways, George Lucas subverted audience expectations with A New Hope by giving Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia more screen time than expected. Initially, when Luke and Han launch a rescue mission to spring Leia from the Death Star prison, the story paints her as the typical “damsel in distress” in need of saving.

But the heroes – and audience at the time – were shocked to find out Leia was not a pushover princess, but someone whom George Lucas envisioned as Star Wars‘ true hero. Since then, the franchise has continued the trend of including strong female characters, from leads like Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars’ best TV shows to Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Not only have past projects proven this, but the franchise will continue to give female characters the spotlight in upcoming Star Wars movies centering on the likes of Rey Skywalker and more.

These aforementioned women, however, are only a small sample of the rich number of strong female characters Star Wars has introduced to the galaxy. From those who also have big roles to those who only appear for a short time, all of these female characters have left their mark on the Star Wars franchise forever. No matter what the galaxy deals them, these women face each challenge in stride and rise to the occasion each and every time. Here are 25 of the best that Star Wars has introduced so far.

25 Amilyn Holdo

She Gives Her Life for the Resistance’s Survival

Played by	Laura Dern
First Appearance	Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Laura Dern’s Admiral Holdo had the extremely daunting task of fulfilling Leia’s role as leader of the Resistance after Leia was attacked by Kylo Ren at the end of Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s first act. While reckoning with the Resistance’s survival, Holdo also had to fend off the First Order from wiping out the remains of the rebels. If that was not enough, Holdo was responsible for quelling Poe Dameron’s attempt at mutiny.

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In light of these various trials and tribulations, Holdo proved herself an adept military leader who came up with a great survival plan to save the lives of the Resistance’s fighters. Furthermore, her sacrifice provided one of the most jaw-dropping spectacles in the entire sequel trilogy, which simultaneously saved the lives of her soldiers. Through this, Holdo proved she was an inspirational leader and a Star Wars hero who will hopefully have the early days of her career fleshed out in future projects.

24 Dedra Meero

She is Ambitious in Everything She Does

Played by	Denise Gough
First Appearance	Andor 1×04 “Aldhani”

Dedra Meero is a recent addition to the Star Wars galaxy, albeit in one of the franchise’s best TV shows, Andor. As a member of the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB), Dedra has carved her path by embracing his ruthless yet tactful approach to achieving her ambitions and getting herself to exactly where she wants to be. She’s unafraid of defying her peers, and even her superiors, if she knows she’s in the right on a matter.

Dedra is easily one of the fiercest yet most grounded female Star Wars antagonists that the franchise has introduced to date. She can spark fear in her enemies, yet there is also an achingly evident human part of her that anyone can relate to, a strong desire to prove oneself and climb the ladder higher and higher. Hopefully, audiences will get to see even more of her in Andor season 2, where she will likely have to pick herself back up from where her failure on Ferrix knocked her down.

23 Ellian Zahra

She is Leia’s Nemesis & Tarkin’s Protégé

First Appearance	Star Wars (2020) #1 by Charles Soule & Jesus Saiz

One of the most chilling characters created in years, Ellian Zahra was the protégé of Grand Moff Tarkin, and she swore revenge against the Rebel Alliance after his death. Zahra is a tactical genius, and she came within a hair’s breadth of crushing the Rebel Alliance in the months after the Battle of Hoth. She was only undermined by her obsession with Princess Leia, who became Zahra’s rival; this dark obsession made Zahra a surprisingly compelling character, as she came close to breaking Leia as well as the entire rebellion.

22 Lourna Dee

She Proves to be a Major Threat to the Entire Galaxy

First Appearance	Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule

One of the greatest villains of the High Republic Era, living some 200 years before the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Lourna Dee is a complex and inspiring villain who is utterly self-interested and self-absorbed. She became a member of the space pirates known as the Nihil, rising through their ranks to a position of power, only to be betrayed. Lourna Dee is a survivor at heart, though, and she continues to further her own agenda; she’s a wild card, and that makes her tremendously exciting as the story of Star Wars: The High Republic continues.

21 Maz Kanata

She Has Wisdom Accrued from Many Years of Living

Played by	Lupita Nyong’o
First Appearance	Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata may just be one of the wisest beings in a galaxy far, far away. Maz has had a long and successful life, one which saw her interact with many of the greats from Star Wars‘ history. Not only was she talented with a blaster and jetpack, but her words also packed their own poignancy. Kanata is undoubtedly a straight shooter and a calm speaker, using her influence in the galaxy to create a peaceful location where conflict is halted in the name of diplomacy, friendship, negotiation, and good company.

20 Shaak Ti

She is a Wise & Compassionate Jedi

Played by	Orli Shoshan and Tasia Valenza
First Appearance	Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Shaak Ti comes from the peaceful Togruta race and proves herself to be a masterful Jedi. Rising through the ranks, she eventually served as a member of the Jedi High Council. Shaak Ti fought alongside her Jedi brethren as they fought back the advances of the Separatist army in the waning days of the Republic. As a General in the Grand Army of the Republic, she actively took part in the training of the clone soldiers. Sadly, Shaak Ti was killed by Anakin Skywalker as she meditated at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during the tragedy of Order 66.

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Where Shaak Ti’s character shone beyond her overall arc, however, was in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. From the bravery and prowess shown at the Battle of Kamino to her dedication to aiding the clone trooper Fives, Shaak Ti’s true heart was on display in the animated show. The latter arc specifically showed Shaak Ti’s compassion as she attempted to help Fives root out the issue of the inhibitor chips, aiding in presenting her as one of Star Wars’ stronger, albeit underutilized, female characters.

19 Zeen Mrala

She Takes a Beautiful Journey of Love & Tragedy

First Appearance	Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (2021) #1 by Daniel José Older and Harvey Tolibao

A major character in the High Republic Era, Zeen Mrala grew up in a community who feared the Force – which meant she had repressed her own Force-sensitivity for most of her life. Her powers exposed during a planetary disaster, Zeen was recruited by the Jedi and began to learn from Master Yoda himself. She proved a natural with the Force, even if she was too old to become a Padawan.

There’s a striking parallel between Zeen’s Force-sensitivity and her relationship with Jedi Padawan Lula Talisola, with the two gradually falling in love with one another. Zeen has repressed the Force for years, and Lula struggles with the sense she too is repressing a part of herself. This has become one of Star Wars‘ most beautiful love stories, and it continues in Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III, with Zeen and Lula reunited in the wake of tragedy in Daniel José Older, Harvey Tolibao, and Kevin Tolibao’s Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures.

18 Cinta Kaz

She is True Strength Embodied

Played by	Varada Sethu
First Appearance	Andor 1×04 “Aldhani”

Though a fairly minor character in Andor season 1, Cinta Kaz is a figure of pure strength throughout her storyline. Introduced as a member of the Aldhani heist group, Cinta quickly cements her place as not only the steady companion, but also as the strongest amongst them all – in every area. Cinta is willing to do what the others will not, and that leads to her playing what is perhaps one of the most key (and most dangerous) roles in the entire Aldhani heist.

Even better is the dimension that comes with Cinta’s character. Her relationship with Vel Sartha puts a tender part of her on display, though even Vel cannot deter Cinta from the higher purpose she seeks to serve. The loss of her entire family to stormtroopers also proves how strong Cinta is to continue her fight against the Empire and to work alongside a former stormtrooper for the heist. Hopefully, Cinta will return in Andor season 2, and her character will be fleshed out even more in this critical galactic era.

17 Merrin

She Carries the Legacy of the Nightsisters

Voiced by	Tina Ivlev
First Appearance	Jedi: Fallen Order

Despite only having a minor role as Cal Kestis’ ally in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Tina Ivlev’s Merrin made a triumphant return in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor with a lot more depth added to her character. As one of the last surviving Nightsisters of Dathomir, Merrin carries the legacy of her people on her shoulders. Since she boasts many unnatural powers using her Nightsister magick, she is a formidable opponent for the Empire’s forces.

Furthermore, Merrin’s relationship with Cal is one of the better-written romances in Star Wars. The time jump between the video game installments aids their coming together to feel more natural, bolstered by the realistic, chemistry-fueled writing between the two characters. These elements combine to make Merrin a character many cannot wait to see again in Star Wars should the seemingly inevitable Star Wars Jedi III be confirmed.

A third
Star Wars Jedi
game is yet to be officially revealed, yet actor Cameron Monaghan has hinted the project is already in development.

16 The Armorer

She Leads & Protects Her People Amidst Devastation

Played by	Emily Swallow
First Appearance	The Mandalorian 1×01 “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian”

The Armorer is one of The Mandalorian‘s most prominently established characters, despite being one of its most mysterious. Without a name or title other than “the Armorer,” she has the respect of every Mandalorian she comes into contact with, even those who oppose her religious ideology. The Armorer is firm in her beliefs, yet eager to accept those who have strayed from the Mandalorian Way. As Din Djarin finds his way in a galaxy that’s quickly changing, the Armorer provides him with quests and pieces of wisdom that keep him on the right track.

Having a character like the Armorer leading such a fierce tribe of warriors is extremely refreshing. The Armorer has already proven herself to be a formidable fighter, needing nothing but her armor-working tools to crush any opponent who dares to challenge her, but she doesn’t need to be constantly warring with others to earn the respect of those around her. Her station makes her an almost mystical figure in Mandalorian society, and her quiet yet steady leadership has kept her people safe in a galaxy that’s constantly trying to hunt them.

15 Fennec Shand

She is One of the Galaxy’s Fiercest Bounty Hunters

Played by	Ming-Na Wen
First Appearance	The Mandalorian 1×05 “Chapter 5: The Gunslinger”

Ming-Na Wen is a legend in her own right, and Fennec Shand is no exception. A character who was originally meant to be killed off in her debut episode, Wen’s portrayal as Fennec convinced Star Wars creators to keep her story going, which has undoubtedly proven to be the right choice. Fennec has permeated both the live-action and the animation mediums, with her character being the first from the “Mandoverse” to cross over into animation in Star Wars: The Bad Batch. As one of the galaxy’s most renowned bounty hunters, Fennec has no shortage of fascinating stories.

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What’s best about Fennec, however, is her sense of both loyalty and honor in her craft. After Boba Fett saved her life, Fennec swears herself a life debt to him, and she serves alongside him with unwavering allegiance in The Mandalorian season 2 and The Book of Boba Fett. Long before then, in The Bad Batch, Fennec proves to be a woman of her word, and she even preserves the lives of those who many bounty hunters would likely kill without hesitation. Her ferocity is evident, but she knows when and where to enforce it.

14 Asajj Ventress

She Has Always Been a Force to be Reckoned With

Voiced by	Grey DeLisle and Nika Futterman
First Appearance	Jedi: Mace Windu by John Ostrander and Jan Ostrander

Voiced by Grey DeLisle in Legends and by Nika Futterman in canon, Asajj Ventress was a complicated character who wished to prove herself to Count Dooku throughout most of The Clone Wars. While Dooku saw her usefulness as an assassin and a piece in his master’s grand scheme, she was never considered worthy enough to be a true Sith. Still, even after being outcast by the Separatists, she managed to cause trouble for both the Republic and Dooku. As an assassin, she had notable conflicts with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, proving to be a worthy adversary of the Jedi

Despite her past grievances with the Jedi, Asajj’s character only improved when she began to team up with her former enemies. From her work with Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker in clearing the former’s name as a terrorist to her alliance with Quinlan Vos in Star Wars: Dark Disciple, Asajj’s character continued to improve as her sympathetic, emotional relationships were unpacked. Bolstered further by more material in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3, Asajj Ventress is easily one of Star Wars‘ best female characters.

13 Mon Mothma

She is the Heart of the Rebel Alliance

Played by	Caroline Blakiston and Genevieve O’Reilly
First Appearance	Star Wars

In the Star Wars original trilogy, Caroline Blakiston’s Mon Mothma was presented as the respectable leader of the Rebel Alliance. She played a critical role in the attack against the Death Star II, and without her, the Rebel Alliance would never have made it out of its infancy. However, recent Star Wars properties, including Andor and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, took Mon Mothma and painted her in an entirely new light.

Played by Genevieve O’Reilly, Andor’s Mothma is forced to deal with political problems in her own home. By giving a rare look into how a conspiring Rebel deals with the Empire’s growing tyranny under the very nose of Palpatine, the series forces the audience to sympathize with Mothma’s plight. The excellent writing of Andor allowed Mon Mothma to become one of Star Wars’ most intriguing, well-written characters whom audiences could not wait to see more of in the story of Andor season 2.

12 Avar Kriss

She is a Flawed Jedi Hero in the Best Way

First Appearance	Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule

Introduced in Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi, Avar Kriss is one of the most prominent Jedi of the High Republic Era. Avar is a powerful Jedi Master who perceives the Force as music, and this allows her to coordinate the “songs” of her Jedi allies through the Force in something similar to a Legends battle meld. Avar’s unique understanding of the Force makes her a truly fascinating character, and one of the most compelling heroes of the entire transmedia project.

There’s a sense in which Star Wars: The High Republic is a deconstruction of Avar Kriss, the greatest Jedi of her age. Her phenomenal achievements led her to become Marshal of Starlight Beacon, a Jedi space station on the Outer Rim, but she suffered terrible grief after it was destroyed by the Nihil. With the Nihil ascendant, Avar now struggles with an old attachment to a fellow Jedi Master, who has understandably reached out to offer comfort in her grief. Avar’s story is as yet incomplete, and it will be thrilling to see where it goes.

11 Qi’ra

She Has Built an Empire of Her Own

Played by	Emilia Clarke
First Appearance	Solo: A Star Wars Story

Starting out as Han Solo’s first love interest in the Star Wars galaxy, Qi’ra has had perhaps one of the most fascinating and powerful developments of any Star Wars female supporting character to date. In Solo: A Star Wars Story, Qi’ra makes a life for herself by embracing the criminal underworld rather than trying to continually escape it. This lands her in the heart of Crimson Dawn, where she works directly for Dryden Vos – and ultimately ends up killing him and taking his place.

Qi’ra’s story has since been fleshed out in various Star Wars publishing titles, including both books and comics. She has proven herself to be one of the most brilliant yet conniving leaders in the criminal underworld, something that has captured the hearts of those who find a fascination in the crime syndicates who thrive in the galaxy’s Outer Rim. Anywhere Qi’ra goes, audiences will follow, and hopefully that will lead her back to Star Wars live-action (or even animation) one day.

10 Omega

She Proves Her Strength From a Young Age

Voiced by	Michelle Ang
First Appearance	Star Wars: The Bad Batch 1×01 “Aftermath”

When it was confirmed that Star Wars: The Bad Batch would include a child member of the titular Clone Force 99, many feared the worst. Star Wars’ track record with young characters under George Lucas was passable at best and annoyingly misguided at worst. However, Omega proved these fears wrong by becoming a beloved member of Star Wars canon. Michelle Ang’s voicework helps to imbue Omega with a wonderful personality, devoid of the pitfalls that can make child characters somewhat irritating in Star Wars.

Besides Omega’s colorful personality, The Bad Batch‘s writers do an excellent job of making the character emotionally investable. From her desire to do what is right to her connections to the titular Batch, Omega becomes a character that both the members of Clone Force 99 and the audience wish to protect. Through this alone, Omega becomes one of Star Wars’ best female characters, but what helps her shine is her bravery, tenacity, competence, and pure heart.

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Omega took an even bigger step forward in The Bad Batch season 3, which proved how much her strength had grown over the course of the series. Imprisoned not once, but twice, Omega leads herself and others – including Crosshair – to freedom from one of the Empire’s most secure bases at the time. She isn’t ever afraid to make the hard choice, which buys her a life of peace with her brothers on their island refuge. Years later, Omega grows up to become a part of the Rebellion, which will hopefully be explored more in future Star Wars stories.

9 Jyn Erso

She Sacrifices Her Life to Save the Galaxy

Played by	Felicity Jones
First Appearance	Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Felicity Jones plays Jyn Erso, the daughter of the scientist behind the creation of the first Death Star, Galen Erso. Jyn was a powerful force in the fledgling Rebel Alliance. Raised by freedom fighter Saw Gerrera – a famous hero of the resistance movement – the life of a rebel was all she’d ever known. In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, she led the mission to retrieve her father before he completed his mission for the Empire. In one of the most daring heists in all of Star Wars, Jyn and her crew stole the Death Star schematics from the Empire.

Jyn retrieved the plans alongside her allies, but the attempt cost them their lives. This sacrifice allowed the Rebel Alliance to defeat the Empire, which is undoubtedly enough to prove why Jyn can be counted among Star Wars’ best female characters. Reinforced by Jones’ incredible performance as a grief-stricken and numb Jyn, the character becomes instantly relatable and likable. As her tough exterior falls away to reveal the heart-of-gold Rebel beneath, Jyn becomes an endlessly intriguing character whose death ranks among the biggest disappointments in all of Star Wars, if only due to her story being cut unceremoniously short.

8 Hera Syndulla

She is the Galaxy’s Best Pilot

Played by	Vanessa Marshall and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
First Appearance	Star Wars Rebels: “The Machine in the Ghost”

Voiced by Vanessa Marshall, Hera Syndulla proved herself to be a powerful ally to the Rebel Alliance with her expert piloting skills in Star Wars Rebels. She, along with her lover, the former Jedi Kanan Jarrus, and the rest of their crew on the Ghost, were instrumental in freeing the planet Lothal from the Empire’s grasp. For her efforts, Syndulla was promoted to General in the Rebel Alliance and given a squadron of fighters to command. She made her live-action debut in the Ahsoka series, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, where her further heroic efforts were highlighted.

What makes Hera so inherently likable are her maternal instincts. Her connections with Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren allow the steely Rebellion pilot to show a softer, motherly side that anyone would warm to. Combined with her genuine piloting skills and her constant dedication to fighting against tyranny, Hera became one of the best animated characters Star Wars has ever seen. This translated to live-action when Hera’s steadfast commitment to fighting the Empire continued in Ahsoka, leading many to eagerly await her return in season 2.

7 Doctor Aphra

She is Ruthless in Her Craft

First Appearance	Darth Vader (2015) #3 by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca

Created by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca back in 2015, Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra was introduced as Star Wars‘ corrupt version of Indiana Jones – an archaeologist-adventurer who finds valuable artifacts and sells them for profit. Aphra has become a mainstay of Marvel’s Star Wars comics, spinning out into multiple miniseries that have fleshed out her own personal world. Aphra’s personal life is as compelling as any of her adventures, because her bad habits – her tendency to lie, cheat, and steal – mean she constantly sabotages her own chance of happiness.

Archaeology is a dangerous profession in the Star Wars galaxy, and Aphra has frequently found herself working alongside Jedi and Sith alike. At one point, she was marked for death by Darth Vader himself, and had to fake her death to escape; on other occasions, she’s delighted in playing the naive Luke Skywalker like a fiddle. Aphra’s latest run, written by Alyssa Wong, has just wrapped up – and sets her up for some exciting adventures in the future.

6 Rey Skywalker

She is All the Jedi

Played by	Daisy Ridley
First Appearance	Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Rey Skywalker is undoubtedly one of the most powerful characters in the sequel trilogy. Rey was technically the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, with her father being a failed Force-sensitive strandcast clone of the Emperor, but she was hidden from him by her parents. Before joining the Resistance, she lived the life of a junk scavenger on Jakku. After discovering her Force powers, Rey was able to awaken a connection with Kylo Ren, with the two eventually discovering and defeating Palpatine to restore order to the galaxy.

While Rey Skywalker has remained a controversial figure in Star Wars, many can see the qualities the character possesses. Aside from her immeasurable power, Daisy Ridley performs exceptionally well as Rey. Not only does Ridley sell the more sympathetic aspects of Rey’s lonely life, but her transition into a powerful, wise Jedi is understatedly brilliant. Combined with a depth of emotional wealth, Rey’s character is one of the best in the sequel trilogy, whose return to Star Wars in upcoming movies is undeniably earned.