What to know
Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae portray Jedi Padawan and Master in Star Wars series from Russian Doll co-creator
The Acolyte is an upcoming galactic mystery-thriller TV series created by Leslye Headland for Disney+. It is based on the Star Wars universe originally created by George Lucas. The Acolyte is set during the final days of the High Republic era, prior to the events of Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and takes its place within the expansive Star Wars franchise. Headland is best known for her 2015 rom-com Sleeping with Other People along with co-creating the Netflix series Russian Doll. She executive produces the series with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef. The Acolyte consists of eight episodes with Headland referring to it as being “Frozen meets Kill Bill.”
Amandla Stenberg takes the lead in The Acolyte as the former Jedi Padawan, joined by a talented ensemble cast. Lee Jung-jae portrays their Jedi Master while Dafne Keen and Charlie Barnett portray young Jedi characters. Rebecca Henderson plays a Jedi Knight prodigy named Vernestra Rwoh. Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Dean-Charles Chapman, Carrie-Anne Moss, Margarita Levieva and Joonas Suotamo also contribute to the stellar cast. Notably, Suotamo, known for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the sequel films, adds an exciting twist by playing the first-ever live-action Wookiee Jedi in The Acolyte.