List of Star Wars sequel trilogy characters


This incomplete list contains only the major characters and storylines featured in the three films of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Background

The Star Wars sequel trilogy is the third trilogy of the main Star Wars franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The trilogy consists of episodes VII through IX, chronologically following the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy, serving as the final act of the "Skywalker saga".
The first installment, The Force Awakens, was released on December 18, 2015, after a 30-year hiatus between the original and sequel trilogies. It was directed by J. J. Abrams who the screenplay with Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt. Original trilogy cast members including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher reprised their roles, alongside franchise newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac. The second installment, The Last Jedi, was released on December 15, 2017, with Rian Johnson as screenwriter and director, and most of the cast returning. The final installment, The Rise of Skywalker, was released on December 20, 2019. It was directed by Abrams, who it with Chris Terrio.
The trilogy follows the orphan Rey and the plight of the Resistance against the First Order, which has risen from the fallen Galactic Empire. Rey learns the ways of the Force under Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, and confronts Kylo Ren—the son of Leia and Han Solo, nephew of Luke, and grandson of Anakin Skywalker—who has fallen to the dark side. The first two films received positive reviews from critics, while the third received mixed reviews. The trilogy grossed over $4.4 billion at the box office worldwide, with each film surpassing $1 billion worldwide.
Some reports indicate that, contrary to popular belief, some plot points across the trilogy were planned in advance. The idea of Luke Skywalker living on an island following his failure to stop the murder of his Jedi apprentices and then training an apprentice who would help him overcome his self-doubt was first pitched by George Lucas in 2013 during creative meetings between himself and Lucasfilm as part of story discussions for Episode VII. Several plot points of The Rise of Skywalker were pitched in an early 2014 story meeting between Lucasfilm executives after the plot of The Force Awakens had been finalized, including the notion of Leia as a mentor figure to Rey, Leia breaking through to her son Ben Solo and the notion of Rey as "the Skywalker" of the trilogy by metaphor rather than blood connection. The return of Emperor Palpatine in Episode IX was planned as far back as the earliest development phase of the trilogy. Similarly, Abrams hinted that Palpatine being Rey's grandfather was an early idea he and Lawrence Kasdan had while working on The Force Awakens, although Daisy Ridley later claimed that ideas for Rey's lineage changed throughout filming of The Rise of Skywalker. Adam Driver claimed that back when shooting The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren was not meant to be redeemed by the end of the trilogy, which was the character arc Abrams had in mind at that moment, with Ren starting insecure about his commitment to the dark side before becoming the one most committed by the end of the trilogy in reversal to his grandfather Darth Vader's arc in the original trilogy, noting that Johnson took that planned direction in consideration when shooting The Last Jedi even though he took other decisions.

Cast

Main characters

Han Solo

Han Solo is a veteran of the old Rebel Alliance who comes back into the fray in an attempt to save his son, Kylo Ren, from the dark side.
The character is portrayed by Harrison Ford, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker is the last surviving Jedi Master who exiled himself following his failure to keep Ben Solo from the dark side.
The character is portrayed by Mark Hamill, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Leia Organa

Leia Organa is a leader of the Resistance against the First Order.
The character is portrayed by Carrie Fisher reprising her role from the original trilogy.

Ben Solo / Kylo Ren

Ben Solo is the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa who was seduced to the dark side of the Force by Supreme Leader Snoke. He ascended to lead the Knights of Ren and took a place of prominence within the First Order. Later, his dyad relationship with Rey causes him to feel conflict, as well as his murder of his father Han Solo. Ben eventually returns to the light side following a vision of his father, and he dies and becomes one with the Force to save Rey from Emperor Palpatine.
The character is portrayed by Adam Driver.

Rey

Rey is a scavenger from Jakku who was seemingly abandoned by her parents. She soon realizes she is extremely strong with the Force, and that she is a grandchild of Palpatine.
The character is portrayed by Daisy Ridley.

Finn

Finn is a former stormtrooper who defected from the First Order.
The character is portrayed by John Boyega.

Poe Dameron

Poe Dameron is the Resistance's best pilot, and owner of the droid BB-8.
The character is portrayed by Oscar Isaac.

Maz Kanata

Maz Kanata is an ancient former pirate and smuggler.
The character is portrayed by Lupita Nyong'o.

Supreme Leader Snoke

Supreme Leader Snoke is a corrupted clone of Palpatine and leader of the First Order.
The character is portrayed by Andy Serkis.

General Hux

General Hux is the public face of the leadership of the First Order.
The character is portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson.

C-3PO

C-3PO is a protocol droid who serves with the Resistance.
The character is portrayed by Anthony Daniels, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Chewbacca

Chewbacca is a Wookiee pilot and friend of Han Solo.
The character was first portrayed by Peter Mayhew, reprising his role from the original trilogy. Following Mayhew's health issues and then death, the character was portrayed by Joonas Suotamo.

Captain Phasma

Captain Phasma is the commander of the First Order's stormtroopers.
The character is portrayed by Gwendoline Christie.

Rose Tico

Rose Tico is a mechanic for the Resistance.
The character is portrayed by Kelly Marie Tran.

Vice-Admiral Holdo

Vice-Admiral Holdo is one of the leaders of the Resistance who takes command after Leia is incapacitated.
The character is portrayed by Laura Dern.

Jannah

Jannah is a former stormtrooper who defected from the First Order.
The character is portrayed by Naomi Ackie.

Zorii Bliss

Zorii Bliss is a spice smuggler and former lover of Poe Dameron.
The character is portrayed by Keri Russell.

Emperor Palpatine

Palpatine is the Dark Lord of the Sith and former ruler of the Galactic Empire who is revealed to have somehow survived his apparent death at the hands of Anakin Skywalker aboard the second Death Star. In his exile on Exegol, he has built a massive Sith armada and entourage of Sith cultists.
The character is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, reprising his role from the original trilogy.

Lando Calrissian

Lando Calrissian is a former smuggler and friend of Han Solo.
The character is portrayed by Billy Dee Williams, reprising his role from the original trilogy.
Rian Johnson stated that he considered including Lando Calrissian in Episode VIII, possibly giving him the role of new character DJ, but did not because it would have meant Lando betraying the characters without redemption.

Other notable characters

Jakku

  • Unkar Plutt – a Crolute junkboss who pays out rations of food in exchange for scavenged parts
  • Teedo – a scavenger
  • Lor San Tekka – an old ally of Luke Skywalker

    First Order

  • Captain Canady – captain of a First Order Dreadnought
  • Colonel Kaplan – officer in the First Order
  • Lieutenant Mitaka – officer in the First Order
  • Captain Peavey – captain for the First Order
  • Allegiant General Pryde – assumes command of the First Order following Hux's betrayal
  • Thanisson – officer in the First Order

    Resistance

  • Admiral Ackbar – a Mon Calamari leader of the Resistance
  • BB-8 – droid companion of Poe Dameron
  • Taslin Brance – officer
  • Kaydel Ko Connix –junior controller in the Resistance
  • Commander D'Acy – ground forces commander for the Resistance
  • Caluan Ematt – lieutenant for the Resistance
  • Babu Frik – Anzellan droidsmith
  • Dr. Kalonia – medic
  • Beaumont Kim – member of the Resistance
  • Tallie Lintra – pilot for the Resistance
  • Nien Nunb – veteran pilot for the Resistance
  • Jessika Pava – pilot for the Resistance
  • Admiral Statura – veteran resistance officer
  • Paige Tico – pilot and gunner
  • Temmin "Snap" Wexley – Resistance pilot

    Criminal Underworld

  • DJ – code slicer
  • Tasu Leech – leader of Kanjiklub
  • Bazine Netal – mercenary
  • Razoo Qin-Fee – member of Kanjiklub
  • Bala-Tik – negotiator for the Guavian Death Gang

    Jedi

  • Yoda – former grand Jedi Master and mentor to Luke Skywalker who appears as a Force spirit.
  • When Rey confronts Palpatine, many voices of past Jedi are heard encouraging her and giving her strength, including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Kanan Jarrus, Luminara Unduli, Qui-Gon Jinn, Aayla Secura, Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, and Luke Skywalker.