It’s Star Wars season again, and while we’re all down for the usual lineup of Leia, Ahsoka, Rey, and Hera Syndulla appreciation posts, let’s get real. The galaxy far, far away has SO many other women who’ve flown under the radar, not because they’re not powerful enough, but because they weren’t given enough time to shine.
Whether it’s a case of unexplored storylines, sidelined arcs, or the “two scenes and done” treatment, May the 4th is THE time to give these legends their due.
We’ve got receipts (and feelings) for these iconic but overlooked women.
Underrated Star Wars women who deserve the twin suns of the spotlight
1) Maz Kanata
Introduced in The Force Awakens (2015), Maz Kanata instantly sparked intrigue. A thousand-year-old smuggler and Force-sensitive being, Maz had the kind of wisdom that only comes from lifetimes of experience.
But after her standout debut, Maz faded into the background, relegated to awkward cameos and incomplete backstory.
Why did she have Luke’s lightsaber? How did she become a haven keeper for galactic runaways? Her tie to the Jedi was never explored.
2) Enfys Nest
When Solo: A Star Wars Story dropped in 2018, fans were instantly obsessed with Enfys Nest: the masked Cloud-Rider gang leader who flipped from antagonist to proto-Rebellion hero.
With her unmasking came one of the most poetic moments in the film, revealing a young woman fighting injustice long before the Rebel Alliance had a logo. Solo often gets overlooked entirely, and even when it doesn’t, Enfys still plays third fiddle to Lando or Chewie.
But make no mistake: Enfys was a game-changer.
3) Rose Tico
Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico is perhaps one of the franchise’s most unfairly treated characters. In The Last Jedi, she was compassionate, down-to-earth, and quietly heroic.
But then came the backlash, and her role was cut in The Rise of Skywalker, which only made her arc feel incomplete.
We believe Rose’s presence made Star Wars more prosperous. Cobalt Squadron, however, shows Rose as more than a mechanic, aka a symbol of hope.
4) Asajj Ventress
Ventress debuted in the 2003 Clone Wars animated series and later became a fan favorite in The Clone Wars.
Dark, deadly, and layered with tragic profundity, Ventress started as Count Dooku’s apprentice but became so much more. From wielding dual lightsabers to forming unexpected partnerships, her arc is one of redemption and self-discovery. Fans have long begged for a live-action appearance, but she remains animated-only.
She’s not just a villain; she’s a survivor of manipulation, betrayal, and loss.
5) Tam Ryvora
Tam might not be on every casual fan’s radar, but those who watched Star Wars Resistance know her worth. Initially siding with the First Order, Tam’s internal battle and leading decision to walk away made her one of the most convincing redemption arcs in the animated canon.
Tam’s introspection and self-doubt made her one of the most relatable characters in the galaxy. She’s proof that the Force isn’t the only path to finding your way back to the light.
So, let’s uplift the Mazes, the Roses, the Enfyses of the galaxy. They might not be front and center, but they are the Force in between.
