“Uncovering the Forgotten Heroism of Trudy Ederle: Daisy Ridley and Tilda Cobham-Hervey Discuss ‘Young Woman and the Sea'”

In the upcoming film “Young Woman and the Sea,” actress Daisy Ridley takes on the role of Trudy Ederle, a trailblazing athlete who became the first woman to successfully swim across the English Channel. While Ederle’s achievement garnered her the largest ticker-tape parade in New York City at the time, her story has largely been forgotten by history, unlike other sports icons such as Babe Ruth.

Ridley, known for her role in Star Wars, admitted that she was not familiar with American sports, but was well aware of Babe Ruth’s legacy. She expressed her surprise and disappointment at the lack of recognition for Ederle’s groundbreaking feat. “It was pretty shaming to read the script and not know about (Trudy). And I think generally that’s been the feeling that people cannot believe that what she did has been lost to history,” Ridley shared with On The Red Carpet.

To prepare for her role, Ridley underwent months of training with an Olympic swimmer, which significantly improved her swimming skills throughout the filming process. Initially, she struggled to swim a 20-meter pool and doubted her abilities. However, Ridley persevered and continued to push herself, determined to accurately portray Ederle’s incredible journey.

One of the most challenging scenes to film was Ederle’s final swim from France to England. Ridley spent nine days shooting in the frigid waters of the Black Sea to capture the authenticity and impact of Ederle’s accomplishment. “I think if I wasn’t really in the water, you wouldn’t have felt the impact of what Trudy did,” Ridley explained.

But Ederle’s success was not achieved solely through her own strength and determination. Her family played a crucial role in supporting her throughout her journey, particularly her sister Meg. In the film, Tilda Cobham-Hervey portrays Meg and emphasizes the significance of showcasing their sisterly bond on screen. Cobham-Hervey finds it meaningful to celebrate a relationship between women, especially as sisters, who support each other’s ambitions and challenge societal expectations. “It’s so lovely to be able to celebrate a relationship between women like this, particularly as sisters, two women that are really supporting each other to be the best version of themselves,” Cobham-Hervey shared.

The film “Young Woman and the Sea” aims to shed light on Trudy Ederle’s remarkable story and inspire audiences with her determination, resilience, and the power of female solidarity. Disney, the parent company of On The Red Carpet and this ABC station, will release the film in select theaters on Friday.

In conclusion, Trudy Ederle’s groundbreaking achievement of swimming across the English Channel deserves recognition and remembrance. The film “Young Woman and the Sea” not only highlights her incredible journey but also emphasizes the importance of sisterhood and support among women. Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Ederle, combined with her own dedication and training, brings authenticity and impact to the story. Through this film, audiences will have the opportunity to learn about Ederle’s legacy and be inspired by her remarkable accomplishment.