Star Wars: Episode VIII Casts Beyond The Lights Star Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is joining the cast of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII, according to Collider.

Less than a week ago, Latino Review reported that Gugu was on the shortlist for a substantial role in Star Wars VIII. The rumors were true! Neither LR nor Collider have any details as to who Gugu will be playing in the film, but we do know from The Hollywood Reporter that the actresses on that shortlist tested with The Force Awakens’ star John Boyega (playing ‘Finn’) to see if they had chemistry. Hmmm.

Gugu, 32, began to get recognition for her acting abilities when she landed a recurring role on Doctor Who (2007), playing the sister (‘Tish Jones’) of Martha Jones, a companion of the Tenth Doctor. Since then, she starred in J.J. Abrams’ (Star Wars connection!!!) short-lived Undercovers television series and Fox’s equally short TV series Touch. She has also appeared in feature films, like Jupiter Ascending, Larry Crowne and earned critical acclaim for her work in Beyond the Lights. She’ll next be seen starring opposite Will Smith in the NFL-downer Concussion.

Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII will arrive in theaters May 26, 2017.