1) Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones)
Jyn Erso is by far the most developed character in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story purely by virtue of the fact that she’s the lead in the movie. She also has the most prominent narrative arc. She begins the story as a child – at first under siege, and then hiding from Director Krennic. We learn that she was rescued by Saw Gerrera, who then raised her until the age of 16. In adulthood, we find her imprisoned and being transported to an Imperial Labour Camp – so she’s clearly had a difficult life, filled with challenges and the need for self-sufficiency.
Jyn is a woman of few words. Even by the end, when most of the team are looking to her for leadership, she largely avoids making long, inspirational speeches – with one exception – opting instead for making her points succinctly and playing her own cards very close to chest. She listens to the ramblings of others, and learns their motivations before drawing her conclusions or taking action. Her personal point of view shifts as she learns more about the struggles of the Rebel Alliance from Rebel fighters, and she changes from being initially resentful and indifferent, to being determined to halt the construction of the Death Star.
In a particularly telling exchange with Saw Gerrera, he challenges her willingness to allow The Empire to win – asking if she’s really happy to have the Imperial flag hoisted above the entire galaxy. “It’s okay if you don’t look up,” she replies with a pointed tone – expressing anger at the man who abandoned her as a teen, and left her to learn how to survive alone. This is the crux of her character, which reflects wider social issues that are very relevant today – isolationism versus unity.
Having had no choice but to fend for herself for years, pleas to help the plight of others do little to move Jyn at first. Her turning point comes when she realizes that her father has effectively sacrificed their family life in order to sabotage the Death Star – the building of which was inevitable whether he was involved or not. She then becomes inspired to ensure that this sacrifice is meaningful and so, joins the fight against the oppressive Imperial regime.