A new threat to the Jedi way of life rises. “The Acolyte,” the newest entry into the Star Wars universe, makes its series premiere Tuesday, June 4, on Disney+.
Based, as always, on the world, characters and original stories by Star Wars creator George Lucas, this new series takes a turn to the thrilling and mysterious side of sci-fi. Set in the High Republic era — for the first time in a live-action series — “The Acolyte” moves from the intergalactic battles of the Empire to smaller, more personal battles during this time of rare peace in the galaxy far far away.
“In ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte,’” says the official Disney+ press release, “an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master [Lee Jung-jae, “Squid Game”] against a dangerous warrior from his past [Amandla Stenberg, “The Hunger Games,” 2012]. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….”
While further plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, series creator and showrunner Leslye Headland (“Russian Doll”) assures audiences that the series is set to move beyond the binaries of a battle of good versus evil, with twists and turns that are sure to keep viewers on their toes.
“If Star Wars is about the underdog versus the institution, [in ‘The Acolyte,’] the Jedi are the institution,” Headland said in an interview with Kristin Baver, associate editor of StarWars.com. “I was so interested in a storyline where the Jedi were at the height of their power — and I don’t mean [‘The Phantom Menace’], because at that point, there’s a Sith Lord in the Senate that they’re not picking up on.”
She later continued, “If the bad guys are actually the underdog, it just seemed like a cool reversal.”
Included in the main series cast are Jung-jae as Jedi Master Sol, alongside Carrie-Anne Moss (“The Matrix,” 1999) as Master Indara. Stenberg’s character is Mae, a former padawan who grew to become a dangerous warrior.
Also included in the series ensemble cast is Jodie Turner-Smith (“The Last Ship”), whose character details have yet to be released to the public. But, when speaking to Collider’s editor-in-chief Steve Weintraub, she revealed that: “I’m allowed to say … I’m really powerful. I use the Force, but I’m not a Jedi or a Sith.
“My character is a very powerful leader,” she continued, leaving an intriguing breadcrumb for fans.
The remainder of the series cast is filled out by Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Dafne Keen (“His Dark Materials”), Charlie Barnett (“Russian Doll”), Rebecca Henderson (“Single Drunk Female”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“Game of Thrones”) and Joonas Suotamo (“Solo: A Star Wars Story,” 2018).
Don’t let your eyes deceive you, this is a Star Wars adventure like never before. As Headland noted to Baver, “whatever you think ‘The Acolyte’ is, it’s not that. It’s a drop in the bucket, baby. Just hang in there and check it out.”
“Star Wars: The Acolyte” premieres Tuesday, June 4, on Disney+.
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