Across the Star Wars franchise, more key female characters have been introduced across the galaxy that are complex and well-written. Starting with strong-willed and very likable characters like Princess Leia, this sci-fi franchise has always prided itself on representation. Particularly in the more recent films and Disney+ series, even more women have been introduced with individual storylines and successfully shaped the films and series even further.
These are just some of the best and most powerful female characters in the franchise that continued to be adored by fans. Although most of them are good-hearted, they are also not characters to be messed with as their skills and intelligence dominate the screen.
10 Jannah
- Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker
Formerly known as TZ-1719, Jannah is a powerful character from The Rise of Skywalker and given the film's limited success, she certainly stands out. She connected with Finn as they both discovered that they had defected from the First Order. She, along with her crew, them helped Finn and the Resistance in taking down The Final Order during the Battle of Exegol.
Jannah stands out due to her immense skill in engineering, particularly with her self-crafted energy bow from recycled parts. Her crew mates also trusted her completely, proving her reliability as a character.
9 Jyn Erso
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Brilliant and badass, Jyn Erso was a defiant character who, after being used to operating alone, finds a new purpose when she undertakes her mission for the Rebel Alliance. She helped bring the reality of war in Star Wars center-stage in Rogue One, as she becomes an important soldier and alliance member when she led the destruction of the Death Star.
Although she led a successful mission, ultimately her and the rest of Rogue One did not survive. Her sacrifice was well-remembered, however, as her actions resulted in later bringing down the Imperial battle station.
8 Maz Kanata
- Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi
A female pirate who is thrust into the action of the sequel trilogy, Maz Kanata was a fantastic new character to the franchise, particularly in The Force Awakens. She helped take the films in a different and even more inclusive direction with her storyline complementing other characters, new and old, very well.
She was also a very intelligent and force-sensitive individual who was a badass due to the fact that she had lived for more than one-thousand years. Described by Han Solo himself as "an acquired taste," her fiery and unique personality with an appreciation for Chewbacca in particular, Maz remains one of the best new additions.
7 Bo-Katan Kryze
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Bo-Katan was a trusted member of the Death Watch and another very capable female leader, who acknowledged her past failures. Being a fierce Mandalorian warrior, she rallied for her people to find the glory in war whilst always remaining strong in her convictions. Being very skilled in combat and passionate about her politics, Bo-Katan sought to liberate Mandalore from Darth Maul.
Appearing across The Clone Wars, Rebels and The Mandalorian, her legendary character and personal growth are captivating to watch as she seeks to find her purpose after failing to retake Mandalore.
6 Val
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
An incredible woman portrayed by Thandiwe Newton, Val was a character who was gone too soon. Being incredibly secretive and not even revealing her real full name, she inspired further intrigue about herself and how she fitted into the Star Wars canon. A badass criminal with unforgiving personality, Val would have been even better if she had more screen time. Plus, she is a great shot.
It is a shame that Val is just written off, with her death being in vain, as her storyline is sacrificed for other moments and therefore completely overlooked. It would have been interesting to see her play a large role in the film, due to her significance as being the first human black woman to have a notable role in a Star Wars film.
5 Hera Syndulla
- Star Wars Rebels
During the Galactic Civil War, Hera was one of the most crucial members of the Alliance in Rebels, with plenty of pivotal moments in key battles and becoming one of the top military leaders. She remains a very multi-layered and well-written character, with plenty of sides to her personality as a disciplined leader, but also a compassionate individual.
Highly skilled, savvy and proficient in most tasks, Syndulla was able to successfully use both her natural charm and intelligence to gain the upper hand in most situations. Her commitment to the Rebel Cause set her apart as a dominant female character.
4 Ahsoka Tano
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
A regular character appearing throughout many parts of the Star Wars franchise, Ahsoka Tano is a recurring character whose journey takes plenty of twists and turns throughout the franchise. Initially poorly received by fans, her character developed into a more complex, well-written character and is now one of the best, highlighted as a very strong female character.
Originally the Padowan of Anakin Skywalker, she is a strong and rebellious character who experiences so much character development throughout the series. Portrayed in live action in The Mandalorian by Rosario Dawson, she is also getting her own limited series, Ahsoka, in 2023.
3 Padmé Amidala
- Star Wars prequel trilogy
Powerful and badass, yet gentle and caring, Padmé, or Queen Amidala, remains one of the best female characters of the entire Star Wars franchise. She was a very compassionate and kind character who stood firm with her beliefs and was often described by other characters as a stubborn and strong leader.
Her later death shortly after childbirth was such an injustice as it was an incredibly heart-breaking end to the prequel storyline. Despite this, her character was not sacrificed unnecessarily and ultimately contributed to Luke and Leia's later storyline.
2 Rey
- Star Wars sequel trilogy
It remains a fantastic decision to have a strong female character be the leading character in the sequel trilogy and further expanding the Star Wars franchise. An unassuming scavenger survivor thrust into a galactic conflict, nineteen-year-old Rey catapults from being a self-proclaimed 'no one' to having her life shaped by the Force.
Being so young at the start of The Force Awakens, Rey is headstrong, brave and incredibly loyal to those around her. She was one of the most instrumental characters in the trilogy for the Resistance and continued to always be incredibly likable in the process.
1 Princess Leia
- Star Wars original trilogy
Across the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, Carrie Fisher excelled as the headstrong and powerful Princess Leia. Her character was revolutionary for the science-fiction genre, as she was an independent woman who could look out for herself.
What makes her so great is that she has many different complex aspects to her character, including being a princess, general, warrior and mother. She remains one of the greatest of the Rebel Alliance and was totally fearless when confronted by the Empire. Not to mention her chemistry and camaraderie with Han Solo and brother Luke Skywalker remains unforgettable.