Dafne Keen Fernández is a British-Spanish actress whose natural talent and powerful performances have earned her international acclaim. From her breakout role as Laura (X-23) in Logan to her portrayal of Lyra Belacqua in His Dark Materials, Keen has proven her versatility and ability to shine in complex roles. Her journey from a child actor to a prominent name in Hollywood showcases her exceptional skill, dedication, and growing influence in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Family
Dafne Keen was born on January 4, 2005, in Madrid, Spain, into a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her father, Will Keen, is a well-known British actor, while her mother, María Fernández Ache, is a Spanish actress, writer, and director. Keen’s upbringing in an artistic household shaped her love for performing and storytelling from a young age.
Her paternal lineage includes notable figures, such as her great-grandfather, Edward Curzon, 6th Earl Howe, while her aunts include acclaimed poet Alice Oswald and writer Laura Beatty.
Career Beginnings: The Refugees (2015)
Dafne Keen began her acting career at the age of 10 in the BBC series The Refugees (2014–2015), where she starred alongside her father. Her natural presence on screen demonstrated her potential, setting the foundation for what would become a remarkable career.
Breakthrough Role: Logan (2017)
Keen’s career reached new heights when she starred as Laura Kinney (X-23) in James Mangold’s superhero film Logan (2017), opposite Hugh Jackman. Playing the fierce yet vulnerable mutant child clone of Wolverine, Keen delivered a performance that was both intense and emotionally compelling.
- Critical Acclaim: Critics lauded Keen for her ability to balance raw emotion and action, with Vanity Fair calling her “extraordinary” and The Verge praising her “ferocious energy.”
- Awards: She won the Empire Award for Best Newcomer and received nominations from the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Chicago Film Critics Association, and Saturn Awards.
Her performance cemented her status as one of the most promising young talents in the industry.
His Dark Materials and Continued Success (2019–2022)
In 2018, Keen was cast as Lyra Belacqua in the BBC/HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials, based on Philip Pullman’s beloved book trilogy. The series, which ran from 2019 to 2022, showcased Keen’s growth as an actress.
- To prepare for the role, she immersed herself in the books and worked closely with the cast, including her father, who played Hugh MacPhail.
- Critics praised Keen’s portrayal, with RogerEbert.com describing her as “excellent and perfectly cast.”
Her work earned her a BAFTA Cymru nomination for Best Actress in 2020, further highlighting her remarkable talent.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Star Wars: The Acolyte (2024)
In 2022, Keen joined the cast of the Star Wars series The Acolyte, which premiered on Disney+ in 2024. The show’s creator, Leslye Headland, crafted the role specifically for Keen after witnessing her impressive performance in Logan.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
In a surprise reveal, Dafne Keen reprised her role as Laura (X-23) in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), marking her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Hugh Jackman. The film became one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time.
Future Projects
Keen is set to appear in:
- The upcoming horror film Whistle, directed by Corin Hardy.
- Night Comes, the directorial debut of Jay Hernandez.
With each role, Dafne Keen continues to showcase her versatility and secure her place among Hollywood’s brightest stars.
Here is a summarized profile of Dafne Keen:
| Full Name | Dafne Keen Fernández |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 4, 2005 |
| Age | 19 years (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | British-Spanish |
| Parents | Will Keen (father), María Fernández Ache (mother) |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known For | Logan (2017), His Dark Materials (2019–2022), The Acolyte (2024) |
| Height | 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) |
| Notable Awards | Empire Award for Best Newcomer |
Conclusion
Dafne Keen’s rise to fame is a testament to her natural talent, dedication, and versatility as an actress. From her powerful debut in Logan to her captivating roles in His Dark Materials and The Acolyte, Keen has consistently proven that she is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
With an already impressive resume and several exciting projects on the horizon, Dafne Keen is poised to shape the future of Hollywood and inspire aspiring actors worldwide.
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