Star Wars: The Acolyte – Cast, Story Details & Everything We Know

Lucasfilm’s next TV show, Star Wars: The Acolyte, will introduce viewers to the High Republic Era – a time when the Jedi Order was at its height, but the Sith lurked in the shadows. The future of Star Wars lies in the past; specifically, the High Republic Era, which ran 500-100 years before the Skywalker saga. The Acolyte is set at the tail end of the High Republic Era, with the light still dominant but the dark side ascendant.

One of the most exciting upcoming Star Wars TV shows, The Acolyte inverts the typical formula of the franchise. This is the story of the Sith as they rise up against the Jedi, not the other way round, and that means it promises to be unlike anything else viewers have ever seen. Here’s everything we know about The Acolyte to date.

The Acolyte Release Date

When will The Acolyte be released on Disney+?

The Acolyte will release with a double-episode premiere on Disney+ on June 4, 2024. Further release information has yet to be confirmed, as June 4 – a Tuesday – is not the usual day for a Star Wars release. Hopefully it won’t be long before Lucasfilm give more information.

The Acolyte Trailers

The first Acolyte trailer introduces viewers to a new era, one where the light of the Jedi shines bright across the galaxy. It sets up an intriguing mystery, in which an assassin begins targeting Jedi and murdering them. The Jedi believe one of their own, a former Padawan named Mae (played by Amandla Stenberg) is responsible.

A second Acolyte trailer adds more mystery to the show, and features a glimpse of an unknown Sith Lord. Given the place in the Star Wars timeline, this may well be Darth Tenebrous, the master of Darth Plagueis. Marketing is carefully avoiding giving any further information on this character, although showrunner Leslye Headland has teased her is one of her favorites.

The Acolyte Cast

Which cast members will appear in The Acolyte as the High Republic’s Jedi Order?

The following cast members have been confirmed for The Acolyte:

Vernestra Rwoh

A prodigy among the Jedi of the High Republic, Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh was one of the youngest Jedi ever to achieve the rank of Knight. She served at a time of crisis for the Republic, battling on the front lines against the Nihil, the Nameless, and the Drengir, and proving herself wise beyond her years. Vern will appear in live-action in The Acolyte, set over a hundred years after she became a Master, at the tail end of the High Republic Era.

Created By

Justina Ireland

Cast

Rebecca Henderson

First Appearance

Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage

Alias

Vern

Race

Mirialan

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Star Wars: The Acolyte Cast & Character Guide

Here’s everything we know about The Acolyte’s cast and the characters they will be portraying in Star Wars’ most mysterious project yet.

In terms of recognizable characters from the movies who could show up in the series, there are not many who would fit the timeline. However, a left-field inclusion could be Palpatine as the series will reportedly touch on how a Sith infiltrated the senate (although it would need to explain how he’s able to use The Force to prevent his aging and would require rewriting the Star Wars canon considerably). More likely, The Acolyte could introduce Darth Plagueis, Palpatine’s master, for the first time in a live-action Star Wars project. Plagueis’ age lines up more with The Acolyte’s setting and would be a surprising yet exciting inclusion.

Concerning the characters more inclined toward the light side of the Force, there are a few Jedi Masters who could appear in The Acolyte. The first is Yoda, who still served as the Grand Master of the Jedi Order during the time of the High Republic. Similarly, three other Jedi who appeared in The Phantom Menace were around during the High Republic: Yaddle, Yarael Poof, and Oppo Rancisis. All four of these characters could appear in The Acolyte given their journey across the Star Wars timeline.

The Acolyte Story Details

The Acoylte’s story will be set during a vital, consequential part of Star Wars’ High Republic timeline.

The Acolyte was originally described as a mystery-thriller that would focus on a Jedi and their Padawan student as they investigate shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers. The Acolyte is also said to be drawing on the video games and novels of the franchise, allowing the expanded Star Wars universe to influence the storytelling. Interestingly, creator Leslye Headland also specifically pointed to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as an influence as well as dubbing the series an intriguing hybrid of Frozen and Kill Bill.

The official synopsis reveals a little more:

“In
The Acolyte
, 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….”

While the Jedi will be featured in the series heavily as the heroes, the series will also be told from the Sith perspective, thus offering an interesting new insight into the villains of the Star Wars universe. The Sith have largely been viewed simply as the embodiment of evil in the franchise yet this series will examine them as the underdogs looking to infiltrate the Jedi. 2022’s Tales of the Jedi focused several episodes on Count Dooku and his fall into the dark side. This offered a small glimpse into the reality of the Sith and other dark force users, with The Acolyte set to expand this into live-action.

The High Republic Era: Where The Acolyte Fits Into The Star Wars Timeline

What is the High Republic era and why is it so exciting?

The High Republic Era was the height of power for the Galactic Republic and an intriguing setting for The Acolyte Disney+ series. The Jedi were much more active during this time than at the end of the Jedi Order seen in the prequel trilogy. The galaxy was not settled and people were still exploring and expanding into the dangerous Outer Rim. The backdrop of this series will be vastly different from the movies. The Sith are as yet unknown in the High Republic era, although they are surely to be seen in The Acolyte.

The Acolyte‘s promised return to prosperity via the High Republic will be a drastic change from how fans have previously seen the Jedi and their allies and enemies. This shift to the golden age of the Jedi could redefine the Jedi and the Force from the version moviegoers know. A High Republic series will be unlike any movie or series that came before it, meaning The Acolyte will bring fresh stories and perspectives to a galaxy far, far away.

Latest News On The Acolyte