Intrigue – and gender confusion – surrounds Star Wars’ new ‘Welsh’ villain

Welsh Star Wars fans have been taken aback by the name of the series’ new villain – Enfys Nest.

Both Enfys (meaning rainbow) and Nest are common Welsh female namess. Nest ferch Cadell was a Welsh princess from the 8th century.

Despite her rather retro Welsh name, the Enfys Nest of the movie Solo is a nefarious red-haired pirate who leads a gang of the Cloud-Riders during the Galactic Empire, and does battle with the titular character.

Intrigue surrounds the character before tomorrow’s opening. The actor is not named in the credits, and there is some speculation as to whether Nest is a villain at all.

There has also been some confusion as to what gender, if any, is lurking under the metallic visor.

According to a trading card produced by LECLERC, Enfys Nest is female. Star Wars Insider subsequently described the character as male, before a Hot Wheels toy made it clear that she is female.

Jon Kasdan, a writer for Solo, has revealed that the name of the gang Cloud-Riders has connections to the original Marvel Comics Star Wars series in the late 70s and early 80s.

The choice of monicker for Enfys Nest comes after Wales’ was confirmed as an independent superpower is last year’s Marvel blockbuster, Black Panther.