HBO and the BBC’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials was a massive undertaking. The books are beloved, complex, and philosophical. Lyra is a protagonist who is stubborn, deceitful, brave, and ultimately tragic—a far cry from the silent Laura Kinney.
Known for performing many of her own stunts and having a background in gymnastics and martial arts.
While she grew up surrounded by art, Dafne's early school years were difficult; she has shared that she was heavily bullied and felt like she didn't belong. Acting became her escape. At just 11 years old, she landed the role of Laura (X-23) in Logan (2017), where she famously held her own against Hugh Jackman. Her audition was legendary: she reportedly asked to improvise, switched from English to Spanish, and punched Jackman in the arm so hard it left a bruise. A Career of High Stakes Dafne Keen
Keen’s career effectively began at the top. In 2017’s Logan, she played Laura (X-23), a young mutant with the same primal rage and metallic claws as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. While most child actors are asked to be "cute," Keen was asked to be terrifying. Her performance was largely silent for the first half of the film, relying on predatory body language and expressive, haunting eyes.
In 2017, Hugh Jackman was preparing to hang up the claws he had worn for nearly two decades. Logan was billed as a swan song, a gritty, neo-western send-off for the Wolverine. The film needed a foil—not just a sidekick, but a mirror to Logan’s rage and pain. Enter Laura Kinney, aka X-23. HBO and the BBC’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s
The Evolution of Dafne Keen: From Silent Mutant to Galactic Warrior Dafne Keen
| Attribute | Detail | |-----------|--------| | Height | 5’1” (155 cm) – petite, which aids her feral fighting style | | Hair | Dark brown (often dyed lighter for roles) | | Eyes | Hazel | | Build | Lean, athletic | Known for performing many of her own stunts
As she moves into her twenties, Keen is diversifying her portfolio beyond the world of capes and lightsabers. One of her most anticipated upcoming projects is Whistle (2025), a supernatural horror film directed by Corin Hardy. Starring alongside Sophie Nélisse, Keen is set to explore a darker, more psychological genre, proving she isn't afraid to step away from the safety of blockbuster franchises to sharpen her craft in indie-leaning thrillers.