Star Wars: The Acolyte made an unexpected move when it killed off two of its major characters, Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) and Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen), in Episode 5, titled Night. Though this broke a lot of hearts, showrunner Leslye Headland earlier teased that these Jedi would return in a different medium. True to her words, Jecki and Yord will be brought back to life after Lucasfilm announced The Acolyte prequel novels centering on these fan-favorite characters, alongside Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) and the Wookie Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo), at the San Diego Comic-Con 2024.
During the Star Wars: Stories from A Galaxy Far, Far Away, the official Lucasfilm panel at SDCC hosted by Patton Oswalt, it was revealed that Yord and Jecki would come back to life in Tessa Gratton’s, who has written several High Republic novels, new young adult novel set before The Acolyte takes place. Though its title is yet to be announced, its story will see the beloved characters working together after a Padawan ritual gone wrong.
Despite struggling to get along, they must work together to save their friends by fulfilling an unexpected mission. However, they don’t only have to look after their pals. Jecki and Yord also have to keep themselves safe from danger. This book is set to be released in July 2025.
You can read the synopsis of Yord and Jecki’s The Acolyte prequel novel below:
While their Jedi Masters clean up a political mess left behind by one of their own, Jedi Padawan Jecki and her least favorite fellow Padawan Yord are drawn into a planet-wide coming-of-age ritual as featured guests. The first ritual goes well, but when the final event is interrupted, Jecki and Yord will have to use all of their abilities and work together to keep each other--and their new friends--safe from danger.
Vernestra Rwoh and Kelnacca Also Receive Their Own Star Wars: The Acolyte Prequel Novels
After having several High Republic books to her name, Vernestra will have a new The Acolyte prequel novel titled Star Wars: The Acolyte – Wayseeker by Justine Ireland, one of the five original creators of Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia initiative. It will explore the Jedi Master’s life two decades before the events of The Acolyte, far different from her stories as a teenage prodigy in Phase III of The High Republic storytelling. Published by Random House Worlds, it is also scheduled for release in 2025.
You can read the Star Wars: The Acolyte – Wayseeker synopsis below:
Justina Ireland’s new novel will explore Vernestra Rwoh’s life about 20 years prior to the events of The Acolyte , a giant leap from when we last saw the teenaged prodigy in Phase III of The High Republic storytelling.
Alternatively, the story of Kelnacca will continue in two upcoming The Acolyte and The High Republic comics. After his death in Episode 4, Day, where the Stranger (Manny Jacinto) killed him before Mae (Amandla Stenberg) could find him and surrender herself to him after learning Osha was alive, he would be once again seen in a new Star Wars: The High Republic comics by Cavan Scott. The author’s flagship comic series will continue and be set in the golden age of the Jedi Order. Here, Kelnacca will join Keeve Trennis and other familiar faces from the High Republic era to form a new team.
Scott will also write a one-shot about Kelnacca, titled The Acolyte – Kelnacca 1, which will delve deeper into the history of this Wookie Jedi Master and the world of the High Republic. The one-shot comic is slated to be released on September 4, 2024, while the new Star Wars: The High Republic comic is in February 2025.
Truly, no one stays dead in the world of comics. Members of the Jecki and Yord’s fanbases, called Jecki Jam and Yord Horde, will find solace to see their favorite characters alive in the upcoming The Acolyte prequel novels. Fans who also want to see more of Kelnacca in action will be treated with the continuation of his story in the forthcoming The High Republic comics. Of course, they will also get to know more about the mysterious Jedi Master, Vernestra, as the world of The Acolyte expands.
All episodes of The Acolyte are available on Disney+.
