The upcoming Disney+ series The Acolyte is generating significant buzz in the Star Wars community. Set 100 years before The Phantom Menace during the High Republic era, the series might officially introduce Darth Plagueis, an influential Sith Lord. Fans speculate that showrunner Leslye Headland, a dedicated Star Wars fan, could include elements from Legends in the show’s narrative.
Although Star Wars has seen numerous recent releases such as The Mandalorian Season 3, Ahsoka, The Bad Batch Season 3, and Tales of the Empire, The Acolyte stands out as a significant addition. Unlike other franchise entries, The Acolyte is set long before the Skywalker Saga, during the High Republic era—a new era established in 2021 through novels and comics.
Since the series is set 100 years before The Phantom Menace and focuses on dark side characters, many fans believe it will introduce Darth Plagueis, the master of Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious. This would mark his first official appearance in live-action Star Wars content.
Who Is Darth Plagueis in Star Wars Lore?
The tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise is a tale known only among the Sith. In Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine tells Anakin Skywalker that Plagueis was a Sith Lord so powerful that he could influence the midi-chlorians to create life and prevent death. This story piques Anakin’s interest in the dark side, as he seeks to prevent his wife Padmé’s foretold death.
Palpatine implies that Plagueis’ apprentice—hinted to be Palpatine himself—killed him in his sleep. Given that Palpatine was 52 in The Phantom Menace, Plagueis would have existed around the time of The Acolyte, but not Palpatine himself.
The Acolyte Might Show a Young Plagueis Being Recruited by His Master
There is speculation that The Acolyte might feature a young Plagueis being recruited by his master, Darth Tenebrous. Trailers hint at a masked Sith figure who could be Tenebrous, a character known in Legends canon as a Bith—a species recognizable from the Mos Eisley Cantina Band. If Mae (Amandla Stenberg) works for this Sith mastermind, it could open the door to introducing Plagueis and setting up the Sith lineage leading to Palpatine.
Headland’s interest in the Sith Rule of Two suggests that the series will explore the master-apprentice dynamic. Depending on the storyline, Mae might attempt to overthrow her master, leading to the introduction of either Tenebrous or Plagueis.
James Luceno’s novel Star Wars: Darth Plagueis (2012) expanded Plagueis’s backstory, portraying him as a Muun alien who overthrows Darth Tenebrous and takes Palpatine as his apprentice. Though the novel is currently non-canon, elements could be integrated into The Acolyte.
Wrapping Up
The Acolyte offers Star Wars fans a fresh narrative set in the High Republic era, with the potential introduction of Darth Plagueis adding to its intrigue. As the series delves into the Sith mythos, viewers might finally get to see this legendary figure in live-action. The Acolyte streams on Disney+ on June 4.
For more updates and coverage on The Acolyte, visit HitPlay.
