Dafne Keen, the 19-year-old sensation of British and Spanish descent, is making her presence felt in Hollywood with her strong performances and unique background. Her father, Will Keen comes from Britain while her mother, María Fernández Ache, is Spanish. This young actress brings the rich cultural heritage of her mixed ethnicity into her wonderful acting displays, but her story is not just limited to her roots, far from it.
Keen returned to the Marvel universe in the latest comic-book blockbuster ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ as Laura/X-23, showcasing her immense talent and remarkable journey from a breakout child star to a seasoned actress in the industry. Unlike Blake Lively’s cameo, she plays a significantly larger role in the movie, directly influencing the overall plot.
Dafne Keen’s Mixed Ethnicity: Her Heritage and Beginnings At a Glance
Thanks to her parents, Dafne Keen’s heritage is a beautiful blend of British and Spanish cultures. Her dad Will is a respected British actor while her mom Maria is an accomplished Spanish actress, writer, and director. Keen does not shy away from embracing her diverse background that has offered her unique perspective and depth, some of which she brings to the forefront in her on-screen roles.
Dafne is bilingual with an understanding of different cultures, making her one of the most fascinating personalities in Hollywood, an industry that values diversity and representation more than ever today.
Keen Enjoyed Her Breakout Role in Logan
Dafne Keen had her breakout performance when she was not even a teen yet. At just 11 years old, she burst onto the scene with her portrayal of Laura aka X-23 in ‘Logan’ (2017).
During her auditions, she squared off against Hugh Jackman with fierce intensity and impressive Spanish dialogue, leaving a lasting impression, unlike anything Hugh had ever seen before. The Wolverine star was visibly stunned by her astounding talent.
The movie, unsurprisingly, turned out to be a masterpiece, with the biggest credit going to the stunning chemistry between Jackman and Keen. This was one of the major reasons that social media was super eager for their reunion after Hugh was confirmed to return as Wolverine in the new Deadpool film.
Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen Reunited in Deadpool & Wolverine
Fast forward almost a decade, and fans are thrilled by the reunion between Keen’s Laura and Jackman’s Logan. Dafne’s return as X-23 is nothing short of a joyful homecoming. As the two reunited on set, Keen noticed that their chemistry had remained intact all these years.
The 19-year-old said,
Hugh was my first role model. He was the first grown-up that I really looked up to. Then I got back on set with him, and I realized that he’s just as iconic as I’d made him in my head.
Dafne Keen, just like Hugh Jackman has now officially entered the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the latest movie, much to the delight of their fans. ‘Deadpool 3,’ directed by Shawn Levy, is a glorious celebration of past and present Marvel characters.
The new Deadpool film centers around Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the lead protagonists with Dafne Keen as one of the supporting cast, alongside Channing Tatum, Jennifer Garner, and Wesley Snipes. The young star says the entire filming experience felt like a massive party, and who can doubt her? With a stellar list of cast having a blast like that, you can only imagine how amazing the entire experience must have been to all involved.
Looking ahead, Dafne Keen believes there’s so much more story of Laura/X-23 yet to be told, and she’s eager to bring the rich narratives from comics to the screen. “She’s such an interesting character—and I don’t think I could ever get bored of playing her,” Keen shared.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is currently playing in theatres.
