Dafne Keen

Dafne Keen
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Name:
Dafne Keen
Real name:
Dafne María Keen Fernández
Who is:
Birth date:
(20 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Madrid
Height:
5'1 ft ()
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Dafne Keen

Dafne Keen photo 1
Dafne Keen photo 2
Dafne Keen photo 3
Dafne Keen photo 4
+13 Photos

Dafne Keen's Biography

Dafne Keen is a young actress of Anglo-Spanish descent who played a key role in the movie "Logan," released in March 2017. This Wolverine film marked her official Hollywood debut. In 2019, she landed the lead role in HBO's "His Dark Materials."

Early Life

Dafne Keen was born on January 1, 2005, in an Anglo-Spanish family. Her full name is Dafne Keen Fernandez. Her father, Will Keen, is a well-known British actor, while her mother, Maria Fernandez Ache, is a Spanish writer, actress, and theater director. From a young age, Dafne has been fluent in both English and Spanish, making her bilingual.

Before launching her acting career, Dafne Keen trained in dancing and gymnastics, giving her a strong physical foundation.

Acting Career

In 2014, Dafne Keen appeared in an episode of the sci-fi series "The Refugees" alongside her father. The 8-episode series, which aired on Spanish television, told the story of a group of people from the future who return to the present day to address the growing refugee crisis and find a place to live. After discovering her passion for cinema and attending numerous auditions, Dafne caught director James Mangold's attention a year later. He cast her in "Logan" as the mutant with superpowers, X-23 Laura Kinney.
Dafne Keen's Audition Tape with Hugh Jackman
Originally, the role was intended for young gymnast Sienna Novikov, who turned it down due to a busy training schedule.
Logan Behind-the-Scenes Feature: X-23's Claws + Dafne Keen as Laura
In an interview, James Mangold revealed that he was specifically looking for a child actor who could meet high standards. He was impressed by Dafne in "The Refugees." Beyond her age, her bilingual abilities were a major plus. What clinched the deal were her large brown eyes that, according to the director, conveyed Laura's inherent innocence despite her moments of cruelty.

Throughout filming, the crew acknowledged that Dafne worked just as hard as the adult actors. She endured long shooting days, rehearsed fight scenes, and even performed some of her own stunts. Hugh Jackman, who played the lead role of Logan/Wolverine, praised Dafne's phenomenal talents during their collaboration. James Mangold praised her physical strength and unique acting abilities, predicting that her Hollywood debut would mark the successful beginning of her career, much like Kirsten Dunst and Natalie Portman, who also started on the big screen at a young age.
Hugh and Dafne interview at the MTV Movie & Tv Awards
Dafne Keen made her Hollywood debut in an R-rated film, primarily due to its violent content. Many of these scenes featured Dafne herself. The American online publication Heavy humorously noted that few of Dafne's peers and friends would be able to see her work without parental permission.

Dafne Keen's performance so impressed director James Mangold that he started exploring ways to continue X-23 Laura Kinney's story in a future X-Men project.
Dafne Keen in the series 'His Dark Materials'
Dafne Keen in the series 'His Dark Materials'
Her next major role came in the fantasy series "His Dark Materials," adapted from Philip Pullman's novels. Dafne plays a girl named Lyra. In this world, magic is everyday reality, and everyone has a daemon—a spirit animal companion. Following her parents' death, she's cared for by her uncle Asriel (James McAvoy). When dangerous events unfold, she's forced to flee London for her life.
DAFNE KEEN Talks Acting, Auditions and TV Shows
Dafne starred in "His Dark Materials" from 2019 to 2022. Speaking about the series finale with RadioTimes, she revealed:
I'd describe the ending as bittersweet. It's sad knowing you're leaving behind all these people you had such an amazing time with on set. It's an unforgettable experience, and I'll miss it.

Dafne Keen's Personal Life

Following her appearance in Theo Planell's 2021 music video "Let It Bloom," romance rumors started swirling around the pair. She later starred in another of his videos, "Todo sobra menos tu." In January 2023, Theo posted a birthday message to Dafne on social media: "Happy birthday, Dafne, I love you with all my heart."
Dafne Keen and Theo Planell
Dafne Keen and Theo Planell
Dafne Keen enjoys ballet, acapella singing, and acrobatics.
Dafne Keen in Theo Planell's music video
Following "Logan," Dafne grew close to Hugh Jackman and his family, even joining them for fun days at water parks.

Dafne Keen Now

After "His Dark Materials" wrapped, Dafne Keen entered the Star Wars universe. She'll star in "The Acolyte," hitting Disney+ in 2024 and exploring the events before Palpatine's rise to power. Dafne teased that her character might be a Jedi:
...I can't say much. I can say she's an alien. She's very cool, very cool. She gets to play with lightsabers a bit, which is fun, and I really enjoy it... Being a Jedi is simply an honor.
  • From the side of a colleague of young Dafne Keane, it is very nice that Hugh Jackman and his children still spend time with her.
    2021-05-17 08:16:37
  • Not every child succeeds in playing in one film and directly interacting with the famous Hugh Jackman :)
    2021-05-15 18:32:27
  • I was honestly amazed by this little girl auditioning for the role in «Logan»!
    2021-04-19 10:42:25
  • It`s cool that Dafne can speak two languages fluently since childhood. But soon it will be the norm, and not something surprising.
    2021-04-15 11:15:33
  • Well, what can I say about the child? Well, dear girl this Keene, nothing more ...
    2021-03-29 09:50:08
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