Jodie Turner-Smith joins the new Star Wars series The Acolyte for creator Leslye Headland and Disney Plus
Almost two years after it was first announced, the new Star Wars TV series The Acolyte has a new cast member, Jodie Turner-Smith.
The 35-year-old actress inked a deal over Deadline to join Amandla Stenberg on the series.
Stenberg joined the series back in December, although no details have emerged about her character or Turner-Smith’s character.
New Role: Almost two years after it was first announced, the new Star Wars TV series The Acolyte has a new cast member, Jodie Turner-Smith; Seen in Venice on August 31st
The show was first announced in April 2020 when Headland came on board to headline the show.
It has been described as “a female-centric series set in a different part of the Star Wars timeline than other projects”.
Disney officially announced the project in December 2020, describing The Acolyte as “a mystery thriller that will transport viewers into a galaxy of shadowy mysteries and emerging dark side forces in the closing days of the High Republic era.”
Newcomer: The 35-year-old actress inked a deal over Deadline to join Amandla Stenberg on the series
Announced: Disney officially announced the project in December 2020, describing The Acolyte as “a mystery thriller that will transport viewers into a galaxy of shadowy mysteries and rising dark side forces in the closing days of the High Republic era.”
The High Republic Era in Star Wars lore takes place approximately 200 years before the Skywalker era in the original Star Wars films.
The High Republic era was largely a time of peace, with the Jedi Order thriving and believing the Sith to have been extinct for centuries.
The title Acolyte most likely refers to The Acolyte Program, a government program designed to find Force-conscious youth to become Sith Acolytes for the Galactic Empire to be trained under a Sith Lord.
Era: The High Republic era in Star Wars lore is set approximately 200 years before the Skywalker era in the original Star Wars films; Seen in Venice on Monday
Production on The Acolyte is set to begin in London in late autumn, although it’s unclear when they have their eyes on the release.
Headland will create the series and serve as executive producer, although no other details were given for the creative staff.
Headland is also known as a director, both for feature films (Bachelorette, Sleeping With Other People) and for television (Russian Doll, Single Drunk Female).
Production: Production on The Acolyte is set to begin in London late autumn, although it’s unclear when it’s scheduled for release; Seen in Venice on Sunday
It’s unclear if Headland will direct the pilot episode or other episodes of the show’s first season.
Turner-Smith received rave reviews for his role as Queen in 2019’s Queen & Slim opposite Daniel Kaluuya.
She also starred in Amazon’s Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan and played the title character in AMC’s Anne Boleyn miniseries, and will next appear in Murder Mystery 2 and The Independent.
Love: Turner-Smith received rave reviews for his role as Queen in 2019’s Queen & Slim opposite Daniel Kaluuya; Seen in Venice on Sunday
Coming Soon: She also starred in Amazons Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan and played the title character in AMC’s Anne Boleyn miniseries, and she will next appear in Murder Mystery 2 and The Independent; Seen in Venice on Sunday
