Two more women have joined the cast of Star Wars Episode VII. Lupita Nyong’o and Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie have both accepted roles in Star Wars: Episode VII.

From the studio:

Lupita Nyong’o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. “I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”

When the initial casting was announced, the series came under fire for the lack of diversity, though it was also mentioned there were still roles to be cast, and hinted that one would be a minority woman. I hope all of those who lashed out, without the facts, and in usual kneejerk reaction, not only apologize, but praise this latest news.