Every Dafne Keen Movie & TV Series, Ranked

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Dafne Keen burst onto the scene in 2017 with a performance in Logan that truly changed the superhero movie landscape. While audiences expected a gritty goodbye to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, they were captivated by the powerful young actress who stood toe-to-toe with him. Keen’s portrayal of Laura, or X-23, was remarkable, showcasing both incredible physical ability and deep emotional range – something rarely seen in child actors. She brilliantly conveyed a history of trauma and anger largely through her expressions and actions, with very little dialogue. This role immediately marked her as a talented performer, capable of working alongside established actors, and quickly earned her a dedicated fanbase eager to see her return. Their wait ended in 2024 when she reprised the role in the blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.

While Zendaya is well-known for her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s important to remember her diverse and successful career. Since gaining recognition, she’s consistently worked on acclaimed TV series, thoughtful independent films, and other large-scale franchises. With a role as the goddess Artemis in the upcoming third season of Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians on the horizon, now is a great time to celebrate the projects that have made her a star.

6) The Refugees

Before becoming known for her role as a fierce warrior, Dafne Keen began her acting career with the sci-fi drama The Refugees. This series, a collaboration between the BBC and a Spanish network, is a great example of her early talent, showcasing both her ability to perform in multiple languages and her ease on screen. The show centers around a small town suddenly flooded with people escaping a terrible future. Keen plays Ani, a young girl at the heart of this crisis. Though the series received some criticism for its complicated story and slow pace, it gave Keen the chance to work with her father, Will Keen, for the first time. Watching The Refugees today reveals the natural talent that would soon catch the attention of casting directors worldwide. Even as a young child, Keen possessed a compelling intensity that made the fantastical story feel real and emotionally resonant.

5) Ana

In the 2020 film Ana, actress Keen moved away from big-budget action movies and showcased her talent in a more intimate, character-focused story. She plays Ana, who unexpectedly teams up with Rafa (Andy Garcia), a used car salesman facing financial hardship. Together, they travel across Puerto Rico – she’s searching for her father, and he’s trying to avoid bankruptcy – and develop a touching connection. For Keen’s fans, this film is a must-see because it demonstrates her ability to excel in scenes with a lot of dialogue and humor, as well as action. The strong chemistry between Keen and Garcia makes the film more than just a typical road trip story, turning it into a sweet and heartwarming story about building unexpected family bonds.

4) The Acolyte

Taking on a role in Star Wars is a challenge for any actor, but Amandla Stenberg approached The Acolyte with impressive confidence. As the alien Padawan Jecki Lon, she underwent a dramatic physical transformation with heavy makeup and prosthetics that completely changed her appearance. Despite this, her performance was captivating, portraying a focused and talented Jedi-in-training under Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae). This role demanded a different kind of physicality than her work in Marvel, requiring the precision of a lightsaber fighter instead of the rough fighting style of a mutant. However, Jecki quickly became a popular character because Stenberg skillfully balanced the Jedi’s reserved nature with the hidden worries of a young person trying to prove herself in a dangerous galaxy. Even though The Acolyte received mixed reactions, Stenberg’s performance was consistently praised for adding emotional depth to the story of the Jedi’s tragic decline during the High Republic era.

3) His Dark Materials

Taking on the lead role in a big adaptation like His Dark Materials is a lot of pressure, but Dafne Keen handled it beautifully as Lyra Belacqua. Throughout the three seasons, she convincingly portrayed Lyra’s journey from a spirited child at Jordan College to a determined young woman questioning even the highest powers. Viewers got to witness Keen’s own growth as an actress, as she tackled complex ideas about religion, growing up, and the abuse of power. Her powerful connection with Ruth Wilson, who played the chilling Mrs. Coulter, was the show’s emotional core. Their scenes together were intense, filled with shifting dynamics of love and danger. Keen truly understood Lyra’s strength and courage, making her the central, compelling figure in a story full of fantastical creatures and alternate realities.

2) Deadpool & Wolverine

Dafne Keen’s return as Laura in Deadpool & Wolverine was a highlight of the year for many movie fans. After several years, she reprised the role that launched her career, bringing a newfound maturity and understanding to the character. This version of Laura is no longer the quiet child; she acts as the film’s moral compass, delivering a powerful speech around a campfire that helps Logan (Hugh Jackman) rediscover his heroic side. Keen convincingly portrays X-23 as a warrior who has found both peace and direction. The film thoughtfully builds on the history between Keen and Jackman, allowing their on-screen relationship to feel like a natural continuation of their 2017 dynamic. And, as fans expected, her action sequences were just as intense and thrilling, proving she remains a formidable fighter.

1) Logan

Dafne Keen’s performance in Logan is arguably her best work and the film itself is considered one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. At only eleven years old, Keen acted powerfully alongside established stars Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman, who had played their Marvel characters for years. Director James Mangold cleverly used her natural intensity to portray a character who was more of a weapon than a child, making the audience feel the sadness of her situation. Her connection with Hugh Jackman was the heart of the story, turning a violent action film into a moving tale of family and finding forgiveness. The film’s final scene – where she transforms the cross on a grave into an ‘X’ – is a memorable moment in film history, and it relies entirely on her acting. Logan launched Keen’s career, perfectly showcasing both her physical abilities and her talent for dramatic acting.

What’s your favorite role played by Dafne Keen? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-20 02:13