The Star Wars universe is massively overfilled with interesting and beloved characters that haven't gotten their day in the sun. As the franchise expands, and previously unexplored corners of the galaxy far, far away come into focus, fans can get to know the characters who've previously been put to the side.
The Mandalorian is the best Star Wars project in years, the only one that received near-universal approval from the massive fan base. The series revolves around relatively minor figures in the grand trends and forces of the ongoing narrative, telling relatively small-scale personal stories of a man and his foundling. Along the way, they meet a wonderful cast of strange figures, both new and old. As the show reaches its hotly anticipated third season, some of these outcasts and oddballs should stick around.
Greef Karga
This is less speculation and more confirmed fact, Greef Karga will return in The Mandalorian season 3. As well he should because Carl Weathers' clever diplomat is one of the most intelligent and engaging characters in the series. Karga was a politician, a head of state on Nevarro who also arranged jobs for bounty hunters. He gave Din Djarin the job that led him to Grogu, then led bounty hunters against him to secure The Child.
Karga is a villain of the early series, unquestioningly leading professionals on jobs for clearly evil clients. He then turns on his favorite hunter to secure the payday and is almost killed in the process. Karga continues his path of backstabbing villainy until the end of the first season when Grogu selflessly heals a mortal wound with his mastery of the Force. From then on, Karga is a meaningful ally to Djarin and his friends. Djarin helped clear up a remaining Imperial base on Nevarro and left the planet and his old friend on good terms. Carl Weathers is set to direct a few episodes of the new series, so it will be interesting to see how his character evolves.
Migs Mayfeld
Beloved stand-up comedian Bill Burr entered the Star Wars universe with a bang in one of the best episodes of the series. Migs is part of a loose team of mercenaries tasked with freeing a fellow hired gun from prison. The group is joined by Djarin, who the group mock initially and betray by the end of the mission.
Migs is sardonic, cynical, cocky, and self-reliant. He's one of the few Star Wars characters to manage to be consistently funny to anyone over the age of 8. His reappearance in season 2 fleshed out the character with a surprisingly earnest backstory. He helps Djarin on a mission behind enemy lines, motivated partially by guilt at his old Empire days. At the end of his second appearance, he was set free from his lengthy jail sentence, meaning Migs could be anywhere by the start of season 3.
Xi'an
Though a slightly controversial character, Xi'an brings up a great deal of interesting detail that goes unexplored. She's portrayed by Natalia Tena, noted for the lofty feat of appearing in Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars. She's another member of the team brought in for the mission of season 1, episode six: "The Prisoner". She has a strange, erratic personality that has been compared to the likes of Harley Quinn. She wields throwing knives and carries herself with some apparent sadism.
The most interesting aspect of her is the apparent past she shares with Din Djarin. The duo worked together previously and seemingly shared something approaching romance. She also betrayed Djarin and wound up captured, but she could easily pop back up where fans least expect her.
Dr. Pershing
Though he has only appeared a couple of times, the Empire-aligned scientist who was tasked with mysterious experimentation on Grogu remains somewhere out in the galaxy. Omid Abtahi portrays this evil doctor in his brief appearances. The last thing fans saw him do was give up his master's secrets while in fear for his life, allowing Mando and his friends to rescue Grogu. There are a ton of mysteries about what Pershing was working on, why he needed Grogu, and what he's up to now. He's just too dangerous to have out there, even if he's willing to turn on his boss for his own sake.
Carson Teva
Portrayed by Kim's Convenience star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, this New Republic starfighter pilot made a strong impression in a brief showing. He makes strong connections throughout the galaxy, goes out of his way to help others, and demonstrates more compassion than almost any other character in the series. He helps Djarin with the horrifying ice spiders, banters playfully with Mando and others, and foreshadows some difficult stuff on the Outer Rim.
As a New Republic representative, Teva is a perfect single figure to check in with a huge part of the larger narrative. Din Djarin and Grogu aren't likely to get involved with the Republic, and they only take on the Empire when they must, but Teva provides a bridge to those elements without taking away from the personal story.