‘Star Wars: Rogue One' Cast: Valene Kane Confirmed As Jyn Erso's Mother

A new "Star Wars: Rogue One" cast has been confirmed. "The Fall" actress Valene Kane is said to be joining the franchise as Jyn Erso's mother.

Screenrant reported that Irish actor Valene Kane has been confirmed as a part of the "Star Wars: Rogue One" cast. She is believed to take on the role of Jyn Erso's mother, Lyra Erso.

Kane will join other "Star Wars: Rogue One" cast such as Felicity Jones, who will portray the film's anti-hero Jyn Erso and Mads Mikkelsen as Gale Erso­, Jyn's father. The actress admitted her surprise over the casting.

"I grew up watching Stars Wars and I didn't believe it was happening until I was filming in Iceland," she said. "It has a really edgy independent vibe."

Valene Kane is best known for her role as Rose Stagg in the serial killer drama series "The Fall." She worked with Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files") and Jamie Dornan ("Fifty Shades of Grey"). According to HitFix, the new "Star Wars: Rogue One" cast's scenes will most likely be flashbacks since Kane, 29, is younger than Jones, 32. It was also noted that there may be tragedy involved in Lyra Erso's story.

SWNN added that Kane's admission that she filmed scenes in Iceland was very telling of the fact that she will appear in a flashback. In another report, a presumed flashback scene showed Galen waiting for someone.

Afterwards, a shot of Deathtroopers marching through the field was shown. The scene cut to a young girl running on the same terrain. It is believed that it was 15-year-old Jyn Erso running away from the Deathtroopers. The army captures Galen and burns their home.

It is a widely known fact that Jyn Erso has been living alone since she was 15. It is highly likely that she successfully escaped the Deathtroopers. Her mother's fate, however, is still unknown.

The "Star Wars: Rogue One" release date is scheduled for Dec. 16. It is directed by Gareth Edwards.