By Neil Ramos
At A Glance
- Filipina-British actress Eve Ridley makes her DC Universe debut in "Supergirl" as Ruthye Marye Knoll, marking a notable moment for Filipino representation in Hollywood.
Filipina-British actress Eve Ridley is set to make her mark in the DC Universe as part of the cast of “Supergirl,” one of the most anticipated films in DC Studios' new era.
The 14-year-old actress will portray Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young alien farmhand seeking justice after her father's murder at the hands of Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts. The film stars Milly Alcock as Supergirl and Jason Momoa as the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo.
While Ridley may not be the first person of Filipino descent to be associated with DC, her casting represents a milestone for Filipino representation on the big screen as one of the few actresses with Filipino heritage to land a major role in a live-action DC feature film.
Born in Tyneside, England, to British father Matthew Ridley and Filipino mother Monalisa Ridley, the young actress has openly embraced her Filipino roots and expressed a desire to visit the Philippines and learn the Filipino language.
“I really want to go to the Philippines someday,” Ridley said. “It looks like such a beautiful island country. I really want to go to one of the beaches there. They look so tropical and gorgeous. I really want to learn Tagalog as well because, you know, I get to communicate with family over there.”
Ridley's breakthrough adds another chapter to the long-standing connection between Filipinos and the DC Universe.
Filipino representation in DC extends beyond its films and television projects. In the comics, characters with Filipino heritage have appeared over the years, including Manuel Lago, one of the earliest recurring Filipino characters in DC Comics and a friend of Barry Allen, also known as The Flash. Another notable example is Captain Steel, whose Earth 2 incarnation was revealed to have Filipino roots.
The Philippines has also played a significant role behind the scenes in shaping DC Comics through generations of artists and writers.
Among the pioneers was Tony DeZuniga, the Filipino comic book artist who became one of DC's most influential contributors in the 1970s. He co-created the popular antihero Jonah Hex and the character Black Orchid, helping open doors for Filipino talent in the American comic book industry.
Following DeZuniga's success, acclaimed Filipino artists such as Alfredo Alcala, Nestor Redondo and Alex Niño became prominent contributors to DC Comics, bringing their distinctive artistic styles to titles that helped define the publisher's visual identity.
In more recent years, Filipino artists have continued to leave their mark on DC.
Against that backdrop, Ridley's arrival in the DC Universe reflects the continuing presence of Filipino talent within one of the world's biggest superhero franchises.
For “Supergirl,” the young actress underwent two months of intensive stunt training that included martial arts, boxing, sword fighting and wire work.
“It was the most fun,” she said.
Ridley also developed a close friendship with Alcock during filming.
“She is the best. She’s like a big sister to me,” she said.
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