Meet the Cast of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

The cast of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is a mix of the new and the familiar, with actors from past films brushing shoulders with a bunch of newbies. With the latest smash-hit chapter in the ‘Star Wars’ saga about to arrive on Blu-ray and DVD, let’s take a moment to run down who’s who, where you’ve seen them before, and what you may not know about them. Then go watch the movie instantly on FandangoNOW.

The Actor: Daisy Ridley

Also Known For: ‘Silent Witness’ (2014), ‘Mr. Selfridge’ (2014)

The Character: Rey, a scavenger living a lonely life on the desert planet of Jakku who finds herself swept into intergalactic conflict… and learns that she’s Force sensitive.

Quote: “I didn’t think there was this much green in the whole galaxy…”

Trivia: She can sing, dance and play the violin.

The Actor: Adam Driver

Also Known For: ‘While We’re Young’ (2015), ‘Girls’ (2012-‘16)

The Character: Kylo Ren, the muscle of the First Order, whose unique hilted light saber strikes fear into the heart of many and whose mask hides a complex, tragic past.

Quote: “Forgive me. I feel it again… the call from light.”

Trivia: A former Marine, he also started his own fight club and learned his craft at Julliard.

The Actors: Brian Herring and Dave Chapman (puppeteers), Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz (voice consultants)

The Character: BB-8, Poe Dameron’s adorable droid partner who manipulates and schemes his way through all kinds of shaky situations to complete his top-secret mission.

Quote: “Beep-beep-boop!”

Trivia: He is an actual working robot, brought to life entirely through practical special effects.

The Actor: John Boyega

Also Known For: ‘Attack the Block’ (2011)

The Character: Finn, a First Order stormtrooper who has a sudden crisis of conscience and finds himself fighting for his new friends as a member of the Resistance.

Quote: “We’ll figure it out. We’ll use the Force.”

Trivia: Trained as tap dancer as a child before making his debut as a bully on the British television series ‘Being Human.’

The Actor: Oscar Isaac

Also Known For: ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ (2013), ‘Ex Machina’ (2015)

The Character: Poe Dameron, the Resistance’s best pilot whose skills in the cockpit are matched by his ability to become fast friends with anyone.

Quote: “I can fly anything.”

Trivia: Played in a band called Blinking Underdogs.

The Actor: Harrison Ford

Also Known For: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981), the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy

The Character: Han Solo, the former Rebellion general and legendary smuggler who ran away from his troubles years ago… only to find himself sucked back into a very personal conflict.

Quote: “The Force, the Jedi, all of it. It’s all true.”

Trivia: He worked as a carpenter before he helped other actors read for roles in ‘Star Wars’… and landed a role for himself.

The Actor: Peter Mayhew

Also Known For: The original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy

The Character: Chewbacca, Han Solo’s longtime best friend and copilot, whose loyalty is matched only by his temper and his skill with a blaster.

Quote: “Raaaaawwwwrrr!”

Trivia: He has written two children’s books – ‘My Favorite Giant’ and ‘Growing Up Giant.’

The Actor: Carrie Fisher

Also Known For: The original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)

The Character: General Leia Organa, the brave and tireless sister of Luke Skywalker, who commands the Resistance and acts as the first line of defense against the evil First Order.

Quote: “Hope is not lost today. It is found.”

Trivia: Despite having few official credits, she is known as one of the top “script doctors” in Hollywood.

The Actor: Anthony Daniels

Also Known For: The original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy

The Character: C-3PO, the prissy protocol droid who has been a helpful, but profoundly annoying, ally to Leia Organa since the original rebellion.

Quote: “Oh dear friend, you don’t know how happy I am to see you.”

Trivia: He has played C-3PO in dozens of video games and episodes of ‘Star Wars’ television shows.

The Actor: Andy Serkis

Also Known For: The ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ (2014)

The Character: Supreme Leader Snoke, the mysterious figurehead of the First Order who seduced Kylo Ren to the dark side and pulls the strings of his army from parts unknown.

Quote: “There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?”

Trivia: Founded his own motion-capture studio called the Imaginarium Studios.

Plays: Maz Kanata, a pirate

Known for: '12 Years a Slave' (2013)

From: Kenya

Quote: "Dear child! The longing you seek is not behind you, it is in front of you."

Trivia: Has a master's degree from the Yale School of Drama.

The Actor: Domhnall Gleeson

Also Known For: ‘Ex Machina’ (2015), ‘The Revenant’ (2015)

The Character: General Hux, a commander in the First Order whose icy demeanor is just one part of his unpleasantness – he’s willing to destroy entire planets for his cause.

Quote: “All remaining systems will bow to the First Order and will remember this as the last day of the Republic!”

Trivia: The son of ‘In Bruges’ and ‘Harry Potter’ actor Brendan Gleeson.

The Actor: Gwendoline Christie

Also Known For: ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ (2015)

The Character: Captain Phasma, the leader of the First Order’s stormtroopers who is instantly recognizable thanks to her shiny chrome armor.

Quote: “Submit your blaster for inspection.”

Trivia: A former model, she is 6’ 3” tall.

The Actor: Max von Sydow

Also Known For: ‘The Exorcist’ (1973), ‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

The Character: Lor San Tekka, an elderly ally to the Resistance who holds a piece of vital information – the whereabouts of the missing Jedi knight Luke Skywalker.

Quote: “This will begin to make things right.”

Trivia: Made 13 films with legendary director Ingmar Bergman and is the only male Swedish actor to be nominated for an Academy Award.