The first woman to swim the entire English Channel was not some recent, sponsor-laden athlete we see in brand commercials. It was Trudy Ederle, and it happened in the year 1926. She passed away in 2003, but her extraordinary legacy lives on — especially now, with Star Wars alum Daisy Ridley playing her on the big screen in Young Woman and the Sea, in theaters Friday. Australian actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays her sister, Margaret, in the powerful new biopic directed by Joachim Rønning (Tron: Ares) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Ridley also serves as executive producer on this Disney project, continuing her hot streak with the studio giant following her trio of Lucasfilm projects (and more to come), also from Disney. Young Woman and the Sea chronicles Trudy and Margaret as they grow up together in Brooklyn, finding a collective passion for swimming and defying the odds in the formerly male-dominated sport.

We last caught up with Ridley amid the release of her hit indie film Sometimes I Think About Dying, and before that, we spoke to her about her starring role opposite Ben Mendelsohn in The Marsh King’s Daughter. She’s become one of the most prolific and diverse actors of the decade. We just spoke with Ridley and co-star Cobham-Herve in a paired interview to learn more about their star-studded new feature, their co-stars, and Ridley’s renewed partnership with Disney.

The Particular Alchemy of a Sisterly Bond
Young Woman and the Sea Release Date May 31, 2024 Runtime 1h 40m Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

With biopics about real-life athletes, it’s not uncommon for the family of the respective icon to become involved in the production of the film adaptation, even advising the actors behind the scenes on certain things. Young Woman and the Sea, however, proved to be a unique experience since Ederle’s lineage was quite limited. The film is instead based on the book Young Woman and the Sea: How Trudy Ederle Conquered the English Channel and Inspired the World.

“I think Glenn [Stout], who wrote the book, had been in touch with the family, and [screenwriter] Jeff [Nathanson] had tried to be in touch with the family,” Ridley explained to MovieWeb. “So I think they must have been consulted at some point. But she actually also didn’t have children. So there were no direct descendants to call upon. I mean, hopefully, [Trudy’s family is] thrilled with the film.”

Related: These Are Movies About Sisters We Can’t Live Without

Young Woman and the Sea succeeds on multiple levels, even down to the relatability despite the story being from over a century ago. Anyone who grew up with a sibling will connect with the way Ridley and Cobham-Hervey’s characters compete with each other in the film — but the stars assured us there was no actual method-like competing when the cameras weren’t rolling. “We got on really well,” said Ridley. She added:

Also, I have two sisters. I was so excited to have a sister on screen. And also having sisters, it’s such a particular alchemy that it really had to be right for it to feel right. And then when [Tilda and I] tested together, I was like, ‘This is right.’

In fact, it was quite the opposite of competition for the pair off-screen. “A lot of laughing, to the point that I’m sort of shocked that we got through things… We moved in like roommates,” said Cobham-Hervey, thinking about production. This caused Ridley to laugh and reply, “We were living in apartments next door to each other. We’d cook dinner and watch TV.”

4:21 Related Jerry Bruckheimer on Young Woman and the Sea and the Future of Bad Boys Oscar-winning producer Jerry Bruckheimer spoke to us about tackling another water-centric film and those budget rumors about Brad Pitt’s F1 movie.

Working with ‘Scary’ Stephen Graham & Kim Bodnia of Killing Eve

In addition to the leading ladies, Young Woman and the Sea features other acclaimed actors, like Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire), playing the first man to swim the English Channel, and Kim Bodnia (Killing Eve), as Trudy and Margaret’s dad. “I was so excited for both of them, particularly because recently, I had been up to date with Killing Eve and thought, ‘Oh my god, this is so exciting!’ Ridley told us, adding:

”
And then the interesting thing with Stephen: He can play so scary
. So it’s interesting watching him. I mean, he’s an unbelievable actor. But watching him come in with his real warmth, like
his real personal warmth
, and play someone who is so supportive and wonderful, was so good. But I remember we had filmed and all been together for a while, and we really had fun with Stephen. And then there was a day that he came in, and I was so nervous again!”

Cobham-Hervey continued about their co-stars, “[Stephen has] played terrifying characters, so it was a bit like, ‘I don’t know what he’s gonna be like!’ But I remember sitting at the front of our apartments… at the end of the day, having story time. They’re both just so beautiful to work with. And Kim’s laugh is just so, so intoxicating. They’re both brilliant, so good.”

Related Star Wars Actress Daisy Ridley Says Film with Clive Owen Feels Like Her ‘First Action Movie’ Daisy Ridley discusses her upcoming projects in an exclusive interview with MovieWeb, including starring with Clive Owen in Cleaner.

Daisy Ridley’s Disney Partnership from Star Wars to Young Woman and the Sea

For Ridley, she has certainly continued her Disney hot streak, going from playing Rey in Star Wars to this exciting new sports biopic. “I’m really excited because the Star Wars films were under the Disney banner, but they never had the [classic Disney tune] at the beginning. It’s strange because I feel like the film is so beautifully a Disney film… It feels like it’s been such a wonderful partnership.”

Related 10 Best Daisy Ridley Movies, Ranked Daisy Ridley has made a name for herself beyond her role as Rey in Star Wars. Here are her best movies, ranked.

She went on to add, “And I have to say for both, the Star Wars films and this — different partnerships, but with this, coming into it, I was an executive producer on it. And I was really treated like a partner…by Jerry Bruckheimer! That’s so bonkers. He’s Jerry Bruckheimer! So for all of my partnerships with Disney, it’s felt wonderful. And I’m very thrilled to be part of the Disney family.”

From Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Young Woman and the Sea will be playing in theaters Friday, May 31st.