d+ Meet Freya Allan, the young star who went from Henry Cavill’s royal protégé to leading a $400 MILLION blockbuster while performing dangerous stunts completely barefoot!
Freya Allan, who captivated millions as Princess Cirilla (Ciri) alongside Henry Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s fantasy epic The Witcher, has undergone a remarkable evolution since her breakout role. Far from resting on her fantasy laurels, the English actress has deliberately pursued challenging roles and shown a maturity in navigating the pitfalls of sudden stardom.
Ciri’s Legacy: From Prophecy to Warrior
Allan’s portrayal of Ciri, the Child of Surprise, required immense physical and emotional commitment across multiple seasons of The Witcher. The role saw Ciri transform from a sheltered princess to a warrior-in-training, a journey that culminated in highly intense and physical scenes.
- Dedication to Combat: In preparation for the physical evolution of her character, Allan was trained extensively in sword fighting for the third season of The Witcher, demonstrating her dedication to bringing the warrior aspect of Ciri to life.
- Emotional Depth: Her work on a devastating finale scene with her co-stars (the Rats) was described by Allan as “one of the hardest scenes” to shoot, highlighting the emotional depth she brought to the role.
A New Chapter: Conquering Hollywood’s Blockbusters
After establishing herself on the small screen, Allan successfully made the jump to major motion pictures.
- Major Lead Role: In 2024, she starred in the action film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, playing the lead human character, Mae. The role was highly physical, requiring her to perform some of her own stunts and spend the majority of filming barefoot, an experience she approached with both commitment and humor.
- A Blockbuster Hit: The film was a global success, with the box office grossing nearly $400 million worldwide (approximately $397 million).
- Upcoming Project (Music Connection): Allan is also set to portray the iconic singer Marianne Faithfull in the upcoming biopic Marianne, which will be directed by Finnish filmmaker Zaida Bergroth (known for Tove). This role points to a future where Allan explores characters with significant musical backgrounds, a major pivot for the young actress.
Navigating Fame with Self-Awareness
While details of a post-pandemic “journey of self-discovery” and “secret music projects” are not widely publicized, Freya Allan has spoken openly about maintaining perspective in the face of rising fame.
She has emphasized the importance of staying grounded with the support of her friends and family, expressing a cautious, mature perspective on the fame game. Allan has stated that allowing her “ego to fly through the roof” is her “worst nightmare.”
This approach underscores a commitment to self-awareness and continuous growth, as she mused, “You never stop learning. Every project, I wish I could go back and redo it because I feel like I learned so much.”
From the immense pressure of portraying Ciri to starring in a global blockbuster, Freya Allan is proving to be a highly versatile and deliberate young star, whose career is just beginning to take stunning shape.
