Who does Phoebe Waller-Bridge play in Indiana Jones 5? Helena Shaw explained

Chris Tilly
Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars in Indiana Jones 5 – aka Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. This is everything we know about her character Helena Shaw.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and directed a comedy-drama called Fleabag that she performed on stage. The success of that show was followed by an acclaimed and beloved TV adaptation, which in turn was the launchpad to what’s shaping up to be a remarkable career.

Waller-Bridge then created, wrote, and produced the hugely successful TV thriller Killing Ever. Before working on the Bond script for No Time to Die. And playing a droid in Solo: A Star Wars story.

Now she’s starring in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, with the following everything we know about her character.

Who does Phoebe Waller-Bridge play in Indiana Jones 5?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Helena Shaw in Indiana Jones 4, daughter of Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), and goddaughter of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford).

Though, her bond with the latter is weak, with the film’s official production notes explaining: “Intelligent, charming yet dangerously unpredictable, Helena has been estranged from her godfather for years.”

But the pair have much in common, with Shaw hunting ancient artifacts much like Jones in his prime. Though her reasons for wanting historical objects are somewhat less honorable than Indiana’s, with Helena keen to sell them on the black market to the highest bidder.

Shaw also has a sense of humor, with Waller-Bridge describing her thusly: “She’s fiercely independent, knows what she needs to survive, and she’s going to go and get it. All while she’s being very witty and funny.”

Helena Shaw “the catalyst” for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the character, director James Mangold calls Helena Shaw “the catalyst” for Dial of Destiny’s adventure.

“Helena’s gotten herself in a bit of trouble, and brings [that] to Indy’s doorstep,” explains Mangold. “She’s a character who’s a wonderful set of contradictions — charming and brilliant, but also a lot of trouble.”

While Harrison Ford says he loved playing opposite the Waller-Bridge in the role, stating: “Phoebe brings her rich comedic skills as well as her genuine warmth and humanity to the part. She’s an incredible actress.”

For more Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny info, check out the below articles:

Indiana Jones 5 review | Cast and characters | What is the Dial of Destiny? | Number of Indy movies | Helena Shaw explained | Soundtrack and songs | Indiana Jones streaming details | Dial of Destiny runtime | Lance of Longinus explained | Where is Indy’s son? | Filming locations | How to watch the Indy movies in order | Is Short Round in Dial of Destiny? | Ranking the Indiana Jones movies | Villain explained | Does Dial of Destiny have a post-credits scene? | Best Easter Eggs | Ending explained | Deaths in Dial of Destiny? | Will there be an Indiana Jones 6?

About The Author

Chris Tilly is the TV and Movies Editor at Dexerto. He has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Newspaper Journalism, and over the last 20 years, he's worked for the likes of Time Out, IGN, and Fandom. Chris loves Star Wars, Marvel, DC, sci-fi, and especially horror, while he knows maybe too much about Alan Partridge. You can email him here: chris.tilly@dexerto.com.