Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: The Acolyte

It’s almost time to return to our favorite galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars™: The Acolyte is poised to take Disney+ by storm on June 4 with its first two episodes, and folks, based on the trailers, it appears we’re in for a treat. The latest entry in the Star Wars franchise will push the boundaries of what we know, whisking us away to new places with new faces. This eight-episode first season boasts an all-star cast and is spearheaded by a creative with a solid resume that speaks for itself.

I don’t know about you, but everything feels wonky when we don’t have a Star Wars property to watch. Thankfully, this show will restore balance in the Force sooner rather than later. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about The Acolyte, from its place in the franchise timeline to a new era we’ve yet to see on screen.

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About The Acolyte

The official premise for this mystery thriller is simple yet intriguing:

“An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems…”

What’s exciting about The Acolyte is the wellspring of uncharted territory and storytelling potential. We’ve never seen any depictions of the High Republic in the live-action format before. So far, the franchise has mostly explored this galaxy far, far away in relation to the Skywalkers and the Imperial Era.

Of course, Andor chronicles the Rebel Alliance’s efforts to overturn the Empire, so we don’t (and probably won’t) meet any Skywalkers, but they were still kicking it somewhere out there.

While we might meet ancestors of familiar faces from the Skywalker Saga, we won’t see the characters who made Star Wars the sci-fi phenomenon it is (and that’s okay!). However, the prospect of fleshing out more aspects of this fascinating, immersive world is thrilling.

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The Acolyte Cast and Crew

The Acolyte stars Amandla Stenberg as Mae™, a former Padawan of Jedi Master Sol™, who embarks on a dark path. Lee Jung-jae is Jedi Master Sol. Dafne Keen is Jecki Lon™, Sol’s new apprentice.

Joonas Suotamo is Kelnacca™, a Wookiee™ Jedi. We don’t get too many of those around these here parts. Carrie-Anne Moss is Jedi Master Indara™. Charlie Barnett is Yord Fandar™, a Jedi Knight and guardian of the Jedi Temple.

Manny Jacinto is Qimir™, a former smuggler turned trader. Dean-Charles Chapman is Torbin™ – not much is known about him as of writing this. It’s always good to have a mystery character or two.

Rebecca Henderson is Vernestra Rwoh™, a Jedi Master who became one of the youngest Jedi Knights at age 15. She was a child prodigy. Lastly, Jodie Turner-Smith is Mother Aniseya™, the leader of a powerful coven of witches on Brendock™. She has immense knowledge about the Force.

Leslye Headland is the series creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director of the first two episodes. You might know her work as co-creator of Netflix’s Russian Doll, an incredible, mind-bending, genre-defying series you should watch (if anything for Natasha Lyonne’s gravelly voiced, snarky one-liners).

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When Does The Acolyte Take Place on the Star Wars Timeline?

According to Headland, the show’s events take place a century before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace™. Basically, it’s the furthest back we’ve ever gone in the franchise. You could say … we’re boldly going where no one has gone before. (The IP crossover we need!)

We’ll find these characters existing in a peaceful and prosperous time in the galaxy, which is new narrative terrain for what we’ve seen in Star Wars thus far.

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What is the High Republic Era?

The Acolyte will thrust us into the age of the High Republic, an era first introduced in novel and comic book form only three years ago. The Galactic Republic was at its peak, with the galaxy thriving in all respects and existing in pure tranquility. Lasting from 500 BBY to 100 BBY, this was a time when innovation and exploration took center stage (BBY stands for Before the Battle of Yavin™, at the end of Star Wars: A New Hope™). Headland has compared it to the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment.

Now, The Phantom Menace is set in 32 BBY, so keeping in mind that The Acolyte occurs 100 years before the start of the Skywalker Saga, we can expect it to take place in 132 BBY. That means we’ll be in the last 30 years of the High Republic. I wonder if we’ll start to see it being to wane by the end of the series.

Additionally, the Jedi Order was at its zenith. While Jedi were separate from the Galactic Republic, they worked in tandem with it to ensure peace reigned across the galaxy. They even had pristine gold and white garments as their Temple robes. For missions, they would wear brown robes with gold trim. Their clothing reflected their status and eminence in the galaxy.

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The High Republic Novels and Comic Books

The High Republic novels and comic books boast three phases — Phase 1: Light of the Jedi™, Phase 2: Quest of the Jedi™, and Phase 3: Trials of the Jedi™.

Vernestra Rwoh will be the only character from the literary series to appear on the show. She’s introduced in the comic book story “First Mission” from The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021™. Then, she appeared in The High Republic: Light of the Jedi™, a canon novel that’s the first in Phase 1. It’s set two centuries before The Phantom Menace, so Vernestra has more than a few years of Jedi experience under her belt when we meet her in The Acolyte.

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What do you hope to see in The Acolyte? Join the conversation with other Star Wars fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!