Star Wars: The Acolyte is poised to add Russian Doll star Charlie Barnett, represented by Gersh and Stagecoach Entertainment, as the actor is in the final stages of talks to join the cast of the upcoming project.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is an upcoming Disney Plus series set in the High Republic Era, a golden age of peace and prosperity for the Jedi that precedes the events most fans are familiar with. While most details on Star Wars: The Acolyte are firmly under wraps, the term Acolyte refers to underlings of the Sith Lords who oppose the Jedi. The series will likely focus on the resurgence of the Dark Side that ends this golden era and will kickstart the events leading to the more well-known status quo in the twilight of the Galactic Republic.
Barnett, who has appeared in such projects as Netflix's You, NBC's Chicago Fire, and the CW shows Valor and Arrow, is best known for his role in the Netflix show Russian Doll, where he portrays a man stuck in a time loop with Nadia Vulvokov, working with the character to escape it. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that he seems likely to join the cast of Star Wars: The Acolyte in an undisclosed supporting role. In addition to being a popular name with a long list of great roles to his belt, Barnett was also featured on the Out100 Entertainers of the Year list for 2019, bringing a bit of diversity to the project.
The casting will see him reunite with Russian Doll co-creator Leslye Headland on the project, as Headland has been slated to write the series and be the head showrunner. Her involvement was announced along with the official announcement on May 4th, 2020, with Amandla Stenberg announced as the headliner on the show in July 2022. Also on the casting list are Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, Jodie Turner-Smith of Queen & Slim fame, and The Good Place star Manny Jacinto, all facilitating currently undisclosed roles in the High Republic-centered storyline.
Star Wars fans of all stripes have been pining for stories from this period since the majority of existing content was relegated to Legends and removed from Star Wars canon. Star Wars projects that draw from the extended universe have been welcome additions to Disney's revamped Star Wars universe.
With the casting of Barnett and Stenberg, a woman of color, as well as the showrunner’s commitment to imbuing the Star Wars show with her own queer identity, a small contingent of fans who have spoken out about and against the diversity and representation in recent Star Wars projects are also likely to turn their attention and ire towards The Acolyte.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is expected to be released on Disney Plus in 2023 or 2024.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter