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The Sand Snakes might be both the sexiest and the most controversial part of Game of Thrones‘ new seasons. They are fierce femme fatales and last night they stirred up more trouble than ever before. One Sand Snake in particular might have looked suddenly more familiar to you this season. That’s because Jessica Henwick, who plays whip-wielding Nymeria Sand, showed up in the biggest movie of last year: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Oh, and she just made headlines because she’s joining one of those cool and edgy Netflix/Marvel shows.
If you want the lowdown on rising star Jessica Henwick, we’ve compiled a streaming dossier for you. It’s kind of like a “meet cute” in a romantic comedy, but because it’s all streaming, we’re calling it your “meet queue.” Here’s what you need to know about rising starlet Jessica Henwick…
Spirit Warriors (2009-2010)
Last year we were the first to tell you all about how sultry sand snake Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (aka Tyene Sand) started out as a squeaky clean Nickelodeon star. It turns out her sister in sand-dom, Jessica Henwick, also has a child star past. Henwick got her start on the CBBC series Spirit Warriors. Think of it as a British version of Power Rangers. Henwick played the lead “Spirit Warrior” Bo and made history as the first actress of East Asian descent to lead a major British TV show. She also got to show up some awesome martial arts skills. Can we hope for more action from Henwick this season? [Watch Spirit Warriors on Vimeo]
Game of Thrones (2015-2016)
Henwick’s big break came when she was cast as one of three Sand Snakes introduced on Game of Thrones fifth season. The show drew a lot of criticism for the way in which it watered down the complex world of Dorne for the small screen. Still, the Sand Snakes remain some of the most beguiling characters on the show. Henwick’s biggest and most memorable moment might have happened just last night. ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** When denied the chance to kill her hapless cousin, Prince Trystane, she snarls at her older sister Obara, “You’re such a greedy bitch.” It was as juicy as any scene from the Real Housewives. [Where to Stream Game of Thrones]
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
One thing that really differentiates the new Star Wars movies from those of the past is their commitment to onscreen diversity. This means that women got to be in the trenches and Jessica Henwick was cast as the primary lady pilot in the Resistance’s X-Wing squadron. Henwick’s character Jess Testor had Poe Dameron’s back as he made a daring run to destroy Starkiller Base and made it out of the final battle alive. Will we see her pop up in future volumes? [Where to Stream Star Wars: The Force Awakens]
Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017)
Where do you go after being a teen Spirit Warrior, a sexy Sand Snake, and a fighter pilot for the Resistance? If you’re Jessica Henwick, you become a Marvel superhero. Henwick is just the latest Game of Thrones actor to make the leap to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She’s set to play Colleen Wing in the upcoming Marvel’s Iron Fist series on Netflix. Wing is a kickass martial artist and street smart vigilante.
Interesting to note: Finn Jones, who plays Ser Loras Tyrell, is starring in the series as Iron Fist. Want to put money on him (and Henwick) not lasting the season?
(Note: This is not a photo from Marvel’s Iron Fist because there are no *official* photos from Marvel’s Iron Fist yet.)
[Click here for more on all things Marvel’s Iron Fist]
[Photos: CBBC, HBO, Lucasfilm & Getty Images]
