‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Introduces Vivien Lyra Blair as a Young Princess Leia

For months, the hype surrounding Disney+‘s latest Star Wars show, Obi-Wan Kenobi, has focused on the idea that Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) would be keeping vigil over young Luke Skywalker (Grant Feely). However as folks who’ve already screened the first two episodes will know — and yes, we are going into spoiler territory! — Obi-Wan’s real mission is saving young Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair).

Obi-Wan Kenobi is set ten years after the devastating events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Obi-Wan now goes by Ben and is working in factory settings that could inspire an Upton Sinclair novel. He is so focused on young Luke that he ignores the pleas of help from another runaway Jedi played by Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie. The only person he can’t refuse, however, is Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits). When young Leia is kidnapped by none other than Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bail calls upon Obi-Wan for help. The Jedi complies.

But who is playing young Princess Leia and where have you seen her before? Here’s everything you need to know about Vivien Lyra Blair, the new Princess Leia.

Vivien Lyra Blair is a 9-year-old actress best known for playing Sandra Bullock’s daughter in the hit Netflix film Bird Box. She should be turning 10 soon, however, as it seems her birthday falls on June 4. (That’s just according to Google. We have not had the chance to track down the long form birth certificate and honestly the prospect of that seems creepy.) So basically, like Leia, she’s about 10 years old, super accomplished and super precocious. She’s ostensibly on Instagram @vivienlyrablair, but she’s only got one post and the site is understandably managed by her parents.

In Obi-Wan Kenobi Part II, the old Jedi Master tells young Leia that she reminds him of someone he once knew. A stubborn leader. While he’s obviously referring to Leia’s mother, Padmé Amidala, it’s worth noting that this portrayal of young Leia fits the mold Star Wars fans have encountered since the franchise’s early days. One of the earliest Star Wars comics (distributed by Marvel) was called “The Weapons Master” and saw a stubborn young Leia often under siege from all sides — including the people closest to her. Leia has traditionally been a character thrust into danger while Luke is safe on Tatooine. In a weird way, it’s fitting that Obi-Wan actually has to show up for her, huh?

But yeah, Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s big secret twist is that it’s about Princess Leia and not Luke.