Daisy Ridley - "Trudy Ederle" Young Woman and the Sea Young Woman and the Sea is a 2024 American biographical drama film directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the 2009 book of the same name by Glenn Stout. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, the film stars Daisy Ridley as Gertrude Ederle, an American competitive swimmer who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. It also stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Christopher Eccleston, and Glenn Fleshler in supporting roles. Development on the film began in 2015 after producer Jerry Bruckheimer acquired the film rights to the book and setted in up at Paramount Pictures, with Nathanson attached to write it and Lily James cast as Ederle. Paramount eventually put the project in turnaround. In 2020, it was announced it was acquired by Walt Disney Pictures, with Ridley set to portray Ederle and Rønning to direct it. Principal photography took place between May and June 2022. Originally set for release on the streaming service Disney+, Walt Disney Pictures opted to release the film theatrically after positive test screenings.