Jessica Henwick has been cast as the female lead in Marvel’s upcoming Netflix collaboration, Iron Fist.
Entertainment Weekly reports that Henwick will play Colleen Wing, a dojo manager and martial artist who becomes a crucial part of Iron Fist’s story.
Joining a highly-anticipated geek property should be familiar territory to Jessica Henwick. The actress comes to Marvel from her role as the bloodthirsty, whip-wielding Sand Snake Nymeria Sand in Game of Thrones season 5. Henwick also played the Resistance pilot Jessika Pava in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a role that, though minor, has become a favorite for many fans.
In Marvel comics, Colleen Wing grew up in Japan and was trained by her grandfather in the ways of the Samurai. Upon returning to New York, she becomes best friends and investigative partners with Misty Knight, who will be played by Simone Missick when Luke Cage premieres in September. Colleen becomes an ally of Danny Rand (Iron Fist’s real identity) when the billionaire/monk leaves K’un-Lun.
Danny Rand will be played by Henwick’s fellow Game of Thrones cast member Finn Jones, who is known as Loras Tyrell over in Westeros. According to Marvel, Iron Fist begins when Danny “returns to New York City after being missing for years. He fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his incredible kung-fu mastery and ability to summon the awesome power of the fiery Iron Fist.”
Additional comics reporting by Donya Abramo.