Dakota Blue

 Dakota Blue Richards was born 11 April 1994. She is an English actress. When she was 13 years old she made her debut on film in The Golden Compass as Lyra Belacqua, the main character. Other leading roles include young and reckless April in Dustbin Baby and Maria in the 2009 film The Secret of Moonacre. She played Franky Fitzgerald, a third generation cast member of the British Teen Drama Skins in the year 2011. She has also played parts in film, TV and on stage.Richards was born at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the Fulham Road, London. She was born in Sussex by her parents, who later moved to Newlands School. She attended St Paul's Primary School in Brighton and then Blatchington Mill School in Hove and KBis Theatre School in Brighton.After watching the stage production of His Dark Materials at the National Theatre, she says she "just wanted to play Lyra". Ten thousand people were selected for auditions. Philip Pullman, the author of the book told the BBC that "As the moment came to see Dakota's screen-test, it was clear that the search was complete." Chris Weitz, director, said Richards had made what should be a tough decision, quite simple.