A pair of actresses have joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII, the next installment in the franchise being directed by J.J. Abrams.

The first actress is Lupita Nyong’o, who recently took a big step into the spotlight by winning an Oscar for her supporting role in 12 Years a Slave. The second actress is Gwendoline Christie, who is best known for her role as Brienne of Tarth on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Of the announcement, Lucasfilm president and Episode VII producer Kathleen Kennedy said:

Nyong’o and Christie join a cast that includes Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Domhnall Gleeson, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow, all of whom were officially announced at the same time.

Who the actresses will be playing, like all of the newcomers to the cast, is currently unknown.

Nyong’o recently signed on to voice a character in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, and Christie will be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2.

[Source: The Wrap]