Star Wars fans have been eating well in recent years, as it feels like a new project set in a galaxy far, far away is announced every month. As the critically acclaimed Andor nears its conclusion, and season three of The Mandalorian is just over three months away, Disney+ has confirmed the cast for its next highly-anticipated project.
The Acolyte is a new original series from Lucasfilm set centuries before the Skywalker Saga when the Jedi Order was in its prime. From creator, showrunner, and executive producer Leslye Headland – creator and writer of Netflix’s Russian Doll – the series has officially began filming in the UK.
Plot details for the show are being kept tightly under wraps, but its official description teases “a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.” In The Acolyte, “a former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated.”
The High Republic era began around 300 years prior to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, during a time of relative peace throughout the galaxy before the Sith reemerged and caused the Jedi’s violent downfall. It is an era of Star Wars lore yet to be represented on screen, having previously been explored in a series of comics and novels.
On Monday (November 7), Disney+ confirmed the show’s full cast, following last year’s announcement that The Hate U Give star Amandla Stenberg will front the series in its lead role. Joining Amandla is Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, Nine Perfect Strangers’ Manny Jacinto, His Dark Materials and Logan actress Dafne Keen, Queen & Slim’s Jodie Turner-Smith, Inventing Anna’s Rebecca Henderson, Russian Doll’s Charlie Barnett, 1917 star Dean-Charles Chapman, and The Matrix legend Carrie-Anne Moss.
Production has begun on “The Acolyte,” an upcoming Original @StarWars series from @Lucasfilm coming to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/VZ32p0c6mc
— Disney (@Disney)
As with the show’s plot details, it is yet to be confirmed who these actors will be playing, or exactly when the series will be released. Reactions to this latest announcement have been positive, with many fans taking to social media to share their anticipation.
Taking to Twitter, @VinWjya18 said: “The Acolyte will be another Star Wars hit like Mando and Andor! I'm very confident of that!”
@bradkenzo23 said: “The stellar cast of this series definitely watching it next year.“
@BelaidKL said: “SO much talent in this cast from so many great shows/films - hopefully another Andor on the cards here.“
The Acolyte is just one of three new Star Wars shows slated for release some time in 2023, alongside Rosario Dawson’s return in Ahsoka and the Jude Law fronted Skeleton Crew.
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