In the Disney+ series The Acolyte, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh, portrayed by Rebecca Henderson, is a pivotal figure, bringing her High Republic-era wisdom to a galaxy on the brink of transformation. As a seasoned Mirialan Jedi and Wayseeker, Vernestra navigates the Jedi Order’s growing ties to the Galactic Republic with a mix of authority and introspection, her purple lightsaber whip symbolizing her unique approach to the Force.
Set decades after her High Republic adventures, her role in the show connects the past to the emerging threats explored in The Acolyte. In an exclusive interview with The HoloFiles, celebrated author Justina Ireland shared insights into her approach to writing Vernestra in the recently released Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker, a novel published by Random House Worlds on May 6, 2025. The book, set 20 years before the series, follows Vernestra and Jedi Knight Indara as they navigate a changing galaxy, bridging the High Republic era with the world of The Acolyte.
Ireland, a New York Times bestselling author and a key architect of Star Wars: The High Republic, discussed her process in the interview:
I really love first person. I love reading first person. I love the first person present. Really [it] is my favorite tense and POV (point of view) to read because I like the immediacy, and I think it it feels a lot more dynamic….What I want to do is, is kind of give you that that idea of closeness. Because first person, it’s really great for making you feel close to a character without actually making you close to a character right? Because they’re telling you what they want you to know. Not necessarily everything that they they know and feel and think, and all those sort of things.
This approach underscores Ireland’s intent to portray Vernestra as a complex figure, balancing her storied past with her evolving perspective. The novel’s first-person narrative for Vernestra’s chapters offers readers an intimate look at her inner struggles, a departure from traditional Star Wars storytelling that Ireland employed to highlight Vernestra’s emotional depth. The story also explores her dynamic with Indara, a younger Jedi grappling with her own place in the Order, creating a compelling “buddy cop” dynamic that has been praised by reviewers for its fresh take on Jedi partnerships.
She went on to explain why she used first-person to show Vernestra's complexity in the novel:
That was kind of where I wanted to kind of pull folks through, who knew Vernestra from The Acolyte , and were like, ‘I don’t like her’ – kind of give them like, ‘Hey, here’s a different perspective on this person.’ And, for the people who came from the High Republic and were like, What happened for Vernestra? You used to be cool. Now you’re now you’re hanging out with the squares,’ give them kind of a bridge back to like, ‘Hey, this is how people grow and change over almost a hundred years, almost a century right?’ And so that was really what I want to do.
Ireland’s focus on Vernestra’s trauma from the Nihil conflict and her disillusionment with the Jedi Order’s increasing entanglement with Coruscant’s politics provides a nuanced exploration of what it means to be a Jedi in a galaxy at peace. Set approximately 20 years before The Acolyte and 75 years after the High Republic’s conclusion, Wayseeker serves as both a prequel to the Disney+ series and an epilogue to the High Republic era, weaving together themes of duty, attachment, and personal growth. Fans of Vernestra, first introduced in Ireland’s A Test of Courage, will find a character hardened by experience yet still driven by her commitment to the Force.
Why The Acolyte Was Cancelled
Despite the rich storytelling in Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker, the Disney+ series The Acolyte, which inspired the novel, was cancelled after its first season in 2024. The decision sparked significant discussion among fans and industry observers. According to posts found on social media and various reports, the primary reason for the cancellation was the show's high production costs, which were deemed unsustainable given its viewership numbers. A Disney executive reportedly confirmed that the show was “too expensive” to continue, despite positive initial reactions at its red carpet premiere.
Additionally, The Acolyte faced challenges with audience reception. While some praised its fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe, including its exploration of the High Republic era and new characters like Vernestra and Indara, others felt it didn’t fully meet expectations, contributing to mixed reviews. The show’s ambitious narrative, which included connections to the prequel trilogy and High Republic publishing, may have struggled to resonate with a broad audience, particularly amidst discussions of “superhero fatigue” affecting similar genre projects.
Although The Acolyte was not renewed for a second season, its legacy continues through publishing, with Wayseeker and other upcoming books like a young adult novel featuring Yord and Jecki, as well as The Art of The Acolyte and a visual dictionary. These works allow fans to further engage with the characters and world, keeping the spirit of the series alive despite its cancellation.
Star Wars: The Acolyte: Wayseeker is now available for purchase on the publisher’s website.
Source: The HoloFiles
