Part 4/9:
In the interview, Ridley explicitly discusses how her understanding of Rey’s background evolved over time. She believed The Force Awakens would reveal more about her origins. Her statement clarifies she thought much was answered in the first film but later realized viewers remained in the dark. She states:
"I thought a lot was answered in The Force Awakens, then after the screening, I realized it wasn't answered at all."
This suggests that the reveal of Rey’s parentage was never truly planned or clearly defined, even from the perspective of the actress portraying her.
Furthermore, Ridley addresses the question of Palpatine's identity, confirming her ignorance regarding Rey’s grandmother, a revealing detail that underscores the chaotic development process: