Some details have been confirmed in the first trailer for the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, including the promise of the official rematch of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. The new series will bring back both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen from the prequel trilogy, but the Dark Lord of the Sith won’t be the only returning character. Who else will appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Other key characters are already confirmed to appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi, including Luke Skywalker. Given the timeframe of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is set about 9 years before the events of A New Hope, a number of other Star Wars characters could appear. Some of them will be appearing in their own streaming series in the near future, possibly set at the same time, increasing the odds that they will crossover on some level with the iconic Jedi Master.
Updated on April 23rd, 2022, by Darby Harn: As Obi-Wan Kenobi inches closer to release, the question of who will appear in the highly anticipated series continues to be a compelling one for fans. The first trailer for the series has invited a lot of speculation as to who could appear in Kenobi, as well as confirmed that major characters from Star Wars lore will return. Some key figures remain a mystery, but a few are likely to appear in Kenobi given the context of the story, including some of the most important characters in the entire Star Wars saga.
Characters Confirmed To Appear In The Obi-Wan Kenobi Series
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s return is the whole reason for the new series, but the trailer confirms some aspects about him that had been speculated on up until this point. Obi-Wan is much more grizzled and haggard than he was at the end of Revenge Of The Sith or A New Hope.
It also appears that he will not remain exclusively on Tatooine for the series, leaving to other worlds either for a mission or out of desperation to avoid being discovered by Imperials, and his purpose for being there, Luke Skywalker.
Darth Vader
After the dramatic duel on Mustafar between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, it seemed very unlikely a rematch would ever occur between the two, but that’s all but assured with the confirmation that Hayden Christensen is returning as the powerful Dark Lord of the Sith.
How and why they duel again remains a mystery, but Darth Vader hinted at this fight in Return Of The Jedi when he told Luke “Obi-Wan once thought as you do.” Since Vader never discovered Luke on Tatooine, it’s likely that he and Obi-Wan lock lightsabers on another world, with Obi-Wan escaping to return to the desert.
Uncle Owen
Joel Edgerton is confirmed to return as Uncle Owen in the new series, reprising the role from both Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith. The cantankerous uncle of Luke Skywalker didn’t seem to like Obi-Wan Kenobi very much in the original Star Wars movie, and it’s likely that fans will find out why in the new series.
Books and comics, all of which are classed as non-canon now, have made assertions as to why the two men don’t get along. It’s possible the series borrows some aspects of those original stories.
Aunt Beru
Bonnie Piesse is confirmed to return as Aunt Beru in the series thanks to a brief glimpse of her in the first trailer. She was last seen holding the infant Luke Skywalker in Revenge Of The Sith, and also appeared in Attack Of The Clones.
Her estimation of Obi-Wan was more positive in the brief conversation she had with Owen in A New Hope about the old Jedi, but there is next to nothing known about their relationship. The series will likely provide some detail on how the Lars family grew to be wary of Obi-Wan Kenobi, despite the tremendous gift he gave them in Luke.
Luke Skywalker
The question of whether Luke Skywalker would appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi was answered with a fantastic shot in the first trailer. Grant Freely will be playing a young Luke Skywalker in the upcoming series.
Luke Skywalker is the same age as his father was when he first appeared chronologically in The Phantom Menace. This makes for a nice bit of symmetry for the story, and what will likely be some agonizing moments for Obi-Wan. Though Luke Skywalker would become one of the most powerful Jedi, it was certainly a long, hard road getting there.
Inquisitors
The first trailer for the series reveals that several major Inquisitors from the Star Wars canon will be the primary antagonists of the series. The Inquisitors were established in some of the best episodes of Star Wars: Rebels as the elite fighting force the Empire uses to hunt down Jedi.
It makes perfect sense that these Dark Side users would be on the trail for Obi-Wan Kenobi, the most high-value target for the Empire outside of Yoda. It’s likely the Inquisitors fail in their mission to capture or kill Kenobi, though, since the Lord of the Sith himself is going to appear.
The Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor is a major villain from Star Wars: Rebels and the first trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi confirmed he will appear in the series. The Grand Inquisitor is the leader of the Inquistorius and was a former Jedi Temple Guard during the Republic.
His role in the story is likely one that will underline his decision to fall to his death rather than fail Darth Vader in the animated series. It’s very likely the Grand Inquisitor fails to apprehend Obi-Wan, to the dissatisfaction of Darth Vader.
Characters That Are Most Likely To Appear In The Obi-Wan Kenobi Series
Cassian Andor
Obi-Wan Kenobi is an active agent of the Rebellion at this point, and if he leaves Tatooine, it’s likely he will need the help of other Rebel agents. One of the most likely Rebels he could encounter is Cassian Andor. Cassian was very active as a spy and even assassin in the Rebellion from a young age, as he revealed to Jyn Erso, making him a likely contact for Obi-Wan off-world.
Cassian is returning in Andor, his own streaming series, which will also be set in the time prior to Rogue One and A New Hope, making it even more likely he could make an appearance.
Princess Leia
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mission is to protect Luke Skywalker, but if he leaves the planet, there is a fair chance his paths could cross with Princess Leia. While it’s not clear what motivates Obi-Wan to leave Tatooine, Leia would be one of the few things to get him to do so.
It’s unlikely she plays a major part in the series, but it would be interesting for fans to see the young princess, who like her brother, would be about nine or 10 years old. She could appear in connection with another major character who may show up in the series.
Bail Organa
Obi-Wan’s primary contact in the Rebellion seems to be Senator Bail Organa, Princess Leia’s adoptive father. Obi-Wan could reach out to him for help or he could be called away from Tatooine by Senator Organa for some mysterious reason.
Obi-Wan’s reason for leaving Tatooine – which would have to be significant – could take him to Alderaan by the end of the series. Even if it doesn’t, it seems that Bail Organa is a very likely character to appear at some point as Obi-Wan struggles to evade the Empire.
Yoda
Obi-Wan Kenobi is very isolated on Tatooine, but he is likely still in contact through the Force with Yoda. Yoda has played a key role in the journeys of most of the saga’s principal Jedi and it’s likely he will continue to counsel Obi-Wan in the series.
Yoda may be of little help to Obi-Wan in terms of the threat of the Inquisitors, but he could prove vital in helping Obi-Wan navigate the existential crisis he seems to be facing in his mission on Tatooine. That makes a very likely character to appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Of all the prequel trilogy characters who could appear in the upcoming series, Qui-Gon Jinn is perhaps the most likely. The former master of Obi-Wan Kenobi is a looming presence in his life and could be a guide for him still as a spirit of the Force.
Yoda promised Obi-Wan at the end of the prequel trilogy that he would teach him how to commune with Qui-Gon. It would be a missed opportunity if the series didn’t portray this spiritual connection, especially with Obi-Wan possibly in his darkest hour.
Qi’ra
There are a number of places Qi’ra could appear in live-action in the future, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of them. The series takes place around the time of Solo: A Star Wars Story, meaning that if the Jedi Master crosses paths with the criminal underworld of the galaxy in any way, Qi’ra could be among the people he encounters.
Depending on the timing, Qi’ra could still be the lieutenant of Dryden Vos or she could be the nominal head of Crimson Dawn under Darth Maul. Either has intriguing possibilities not just for her character, but for Obi-Wan as well.
Emperor Palpatine
Who will appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi seems to hinge on who in the galaxy at this point has the most at stake. This certainly includes Emperor Palpatine, who is seeking to eradicate one of the few Jedi to evade his massacre of the ancient order.
One of the worst things to happen to Obi-Wan Kenobi is Palpatine’s corruption of Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan will likely seek to undo it in the series, which may merit an appearance from the Emperor to keep his apprentice on the dark path.
Ahsoka Tano
Another agent of the Rebellion active at this time, and one Obi-Wan Kenobi is familiar with, is Ahsoka Tano. During this period, she was Fulcrum, a secret agent who acted as a go-between for isolated cells of Rebel activity. She could very well be the person who Obi-Wan turns to after he leaves Tatooine, and her appearance would make a lot of narrative and thematic sense.
As Obi-Wan approaches another duel with Darth Vader, the perspective of the former master and student of Anakin Skywalker will likely be key to the series and her journey.
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