Felicity Jones is about to have an amazing fall/winter of 2016. In addition to leading “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the first spinoff film of the franchise, she’ll appear alongside Tom Hanks in “Inferno.”

But in anticipation of “Rogue One,” Jones spoke with Entertainment Weekly about her role as a female freedom fighter in the “Star Wars” universe.

“I would say there’s a huge amount of respect for women in the Rebellion. Mon Mothma is ultimately, for Jyn, someone she looks up to,” Jones told EW. “So even as the film opens [Jyn] has a very strong female role model in front of her, and someone she respects.”

Indeed, Jones’ new character is joining the ranks of Mon Mothma, Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, and Rey as one of the non-passive women of the “Star Wars” universe. In “Rogue One,” Jones plays Jyn Erso, a woman commissioned by the leaders of the Rebellion to steal the plans for the Death Star. And at 5'3", Jones’ stature plays into the role.

“She is absolutely a very unlikely heroine,” the actress says. “She’s someone on the edges and fringes of society. Physically, she’s smaller than everyone else around her, but… when someone has something they believe in, that’s what powers them, that’s what motivates them, that’s what can give someone enormous strength.”

And seeing powerful women on screen can influence real life, Jones says, leading to more women in important roles.

“It’s vital,” she said of including women in these types of stories. “As we’re seeing in politics, it is a world where women are becoming leaders of nations, and films should be reflecting that.”

“Rogue One” hits theaters on December 14 and “Inferno” on October 28.