Three years after keeping fans in the dark following Star Wars: The Acolyte’s official announcement at Disney’s Investor Day event in December 2020, Lucasfilm has finally shed light on this much-awaited series. After surprising fans with a teaser poster and release date on Disney+ and dropping its official trailer to give a first look at its promising storyline, the studio has also finally revealed the characters that will take the viewers on a different adventure in The Acolyte.
Lucasfilm first announced the cast for The Acolyte in November 2022. Though it includes an A-list Hollywood star, like Carrie-Anne Moss, and the Emmy Award-winner Lee Jung-jae from the hit K-drama Squid Game, the studio hasn’t revealed the characters they play yet at the time. As the Star Wars series is now shaping up, you can finally meet its cast and their roles.
Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae)
Sol is about to lead The Acolyte as the wise, highly respected, and powerful Jedi Master, played by Lee Jung-jae. But despite his strong ways of the Force, Sol is going through an emotional conflict, and fans are about to see more of it in the series.
From what was seen in the trailer, Sol trains a new generation of Jedi, teaching them the ways of the Force. However, something about his past holds him back as he’s about to meet a dangerous warrior he already knew back in the day.
Mae (Amanda Stenberg)
Lucasfilm describes Amanda Stenberg’s role as Mae, whose identity is surrounded by sinister mystery. As a former Padawan who turned into a warrior, she finds herself in the middle of a huge conflict that she, too, doesn’t expect.
So far, it remains to be seen if Mae will be a friend or foe, as she’s seen fighting a great female Jedi Master in the trailer. It’s also unknown if she’s the titular Acolyte and if her loyalty lies in the Jedi or the Sith. But one thing is for sure: Mae is about to put everyone in awe with her epic fighting skills as she joins Sol in an investigation that will take them to the dark path.
Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss)
Carrie-Anne Moss will once again unveil her great fighting abilities in The Acolyte. After seeing her as a badass, motorbike-riding, and PVC-clad hacker Trinity in The Matrix, she’s about to stun viewers as Jedi Master Indara this time. Known for her great physical and mental skills, she will be a force to be reckoned with in the Star Wars series as she works together with Sol as protectors of the peace.
However, with her limited billing in the casting rundowns, it remains to be seen if Moss will play a major role or will only have a guest appearance in the show. With her fight against Mae and a Jedi killer on the loose, could it be that Indara will die in the series? That’s one thing fans should wait to see.
Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith)
Jodie Turner-Smith joins the Star Wars universe for the first time as Mother Aniseya in The Acolyte. Here, she’s the leader of the coven of Witches who value their independence the most. They also do everything to preserve their beliefs and powers.
Set during The High Republic era, witches play a major role in the series. Aside from the Jedi, the Republic has established a much wider range of Force users, like The Path of the Open Hand and the Path of the Closed Fist. Mother Aniseya’s introduction may open the story of the other High Republic era groups, with concepts like the Nightsisters.
Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo)
Joonas Suotamo is back. After appearing as Chewbacca in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Han Solo, he’s about to play a different Wookie this time, Kelnacca, in The Acolyte. Kelnacca is a Wookie Jedi who loves to be alone and live a solitary life. Now, fans have to see if this is about to change in the new Disney+ series.
Viewers should also look out for Kelnacca’s possible connection with Burryaga Agaburry. As The High Republic has a storyline that mostly focuses on the Wookie Jedi, knowing Wookies can live for centuries, there may be a connection between these two.
Vernestra "Vern" Rwoh (Rebbeca Henderson)
Fans will finally see Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh’s introduction to the live-action Star Wars series. Described as an “elder Jedi Master who has ascended the ranks of the Jedi from a teenage prodigy to a leader in the Order,” she became one of the youngest Jedi Knights at 15. She even solidified her status as a prodigy after she made Imri Cantaros her Padawan at 16.
However, despite her faith in the Force and devotion to the Jedi Order when she was young, everything would change when the fall of Starlight Beacon occurred, as she mourned everyone who died of the destruction, including her Padawan. Meanwhile, besides Vern’s appearance, fans also look forward to seeing his purple-bladed lightsaber that can be turned into a lightwhip in The Acolyte.
Yord (Charlie Barnett)
You fans are about to see a different Charlie Barnett in The Acolyte. He’s about to play the role of a Jedi Knight and a Jedi Temple guardian named Yord. Despite being an overachiever, Yord always follows the rules. However, his being a “by-the-book” Jedi is about to confuse his mind.
The High Republic is known for having several young and idealistic Jedi, like Yord. However, only a few have remained this way when the war against The Nihil and their Leveler Force monsters begins.
Jecki (Dafne Keen)
Fans may know Dafne Keen as the young X-23 in the 2017 Logan. But now that she has grown up, she’s about to take the role of Jecki in The Acolyte, the Padawan apprentice of Jedi Master Sol. Despite her young age, Jecki remains calm and shows mature behavior.
With Keen’s great acting skills in Logan, fans are about to see what she will bring to the table in Star Wars. As she once again works with a mentor, let’s see how her rapport with Jung-jae works.
Qimir (Manny Jacinto)
Manny Jacinto is about to make a major character change in The Acolyte. From being a dumb and misguided man who also has impulse issues in The Good Place, he will be seen as a former smuggler who now lives life as a trader in the Star Wars series named Qimir. Qimir is now enjoying a life of leisure and procuring unusual things after his life’s transformation.
Star Wars has been known for featuring good smuggler characters, and Qimir will now be one of them. With the number of fan-favorite rascals the franchise has produced, it will be no surprise if Qimir becomes one of the most loved.
What is Star Wars: The Acolyte about?
The Acolyte follows the story of Jedi Master Sol as he faces a dangerous warrior from his past. But despite the conflict these two have, they will be going on a journey to find the mysterious Jedi killer who’s behind the sinister killings in the galaxy. As they enter a dangerous path, they’re about to discover evil forces that are more menacing than expected.
You can read the synopsis below:
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….
The Acolyte is set to be released on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4. With the number of new characters that the series is about to introduce, fans have to wait and see their connections to the franchise.
