Disney +’s Kenobi just released its cast list! Here’s everything we know about these new members of the Star Wars universe.
Disney +’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series is officially a go! Taking place ten years after the dramatic end of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the series follows the now defeated Jedi as he attempts to protect a young Luke Skywalker on the desert planet of Tatooine. Ewan McGregor will be reprising his role as Obi-Wan after a sixteen year hiatus and even more excitingly Hayden Christensen who played Anakin Skywalker and eventually Darth Vader will also be returning to the Star Wars universe. It is safe to assume that Kenobi and Vader will have a long-awaited rematch in this series. Two other surprise comebacks include Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse who played Luke’s Aunt and Uncle in the prequels. This casting news has sent fans crazy with the possibilities of seeing a child aged Luke Skywalker. Besides these returnees, Kenobi also boasts an impressive list of newcomers to the Star Wars universe.
Moses Ingram
Moses Ingram is relatively new to the Hollywood scene but she’s already had a massive impact. Her debut television role as Jolene in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit instantly made her a fan favorite and there were a whole lot of fans. The Queen’s Gambit quickly became Netflix’s most popular show which propelled Ingram’s acting career straight into the mainstream. The actress has to stay tight-lipped about her role as production starts to gear up but she did hint to her Instagram followers that she might be playing around with an iconic lightsaber.
Kumail Nanjiani
This definitely won’t be the last time you’ll hear the name Kumail Nanjiani. Many in the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley may already recognize him as well as for co-writing and starring in the romantic comedy film The Big Sick. The comedian, actor, screenwriter, and podcaster has slowly been making his way into several huge franchises. His upcoming role in Marvel’s Eternals movie directed by Chloé Zhao is highly anticipated by fans. Now with his part in Kenobi, Kumail Nanjiani is returning to space with a vengeance.
Indira Varma
Indira Varma has already famously shared the screen with one of Star Wars’ most beloved new additions, Pedro Pascal aka the Mandalorian himself. The two actors portrayed the doomed couple Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand on the wildly popular Game of Thrones. Now, Varma is joining her onscreen love interest in the Star Wars universe, but it’s unlikely the pair will ever share a scene together. However, crossover between Kenobi and The Mandalorian series is becoming more likely with characters like Ahsoka Tano appearing across multiple shows and even receiving her own spinoff series. Also, with Mandalorian director Deborah Chow taking the helm of the series we can expect a lot of callbacks and references.
Rupert Friend
While normally a mainstay in British period dramas like The Young Victoria and Pride & Prejudice, Rupert Friend has also had a fair number of action roles including as Agent 47 in the Hitman film franchise based off the popular video games of the same name. He also gained favor with many American fans for his part in the Showtime political thriller series Homeland where he plays CIA operative, Peter Quinn. That experience is definitely going to lend him well in the action-packed world of Star Wars.
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s acting career began with an unconventional start in 2015 when he was cast to play his own father, Ice Cube, in the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. Jackson was praised not only for his likeness to his father, but also his dedicated performance to capture his mannerisms. Since then, O’Shea Jackson Jr. has been proving his grit in Hollywood in memorable supporting roles like as an aspiring Batman screenwriter in the film Ingrid Goes West or playing Seth Rogan’s best friend in Long Shot. Critics have noted that even with these small parts Jackson has repeatedly stolen the scene. In Kenobi, O’Shea Jackson Jr. will be given the ability to flex his acting chops in a galaxy far far away.
Sung Kang
Sung Kang is going to have an incredibly busy schedule with Kenobi added to his list. The Fast & Furious actor not only has another installment of the racing franchise coming up with F9, but also recently voiced a character in Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. In fact, Kang’s character of Han Lue in the Fast & Furious franchise was so popular with fans that even after he was killed off, fans were desperately asking for him to return. One of the most prolific was Jen Yamato of the Los Angeles Times and her #JusticeForHan social media campaign. It proved to be successful as Kang makes his triumphant comeback in F9 coming out later this year.
Simone Kessell
New Zealand actress Simone Kessell has been making her way through Hollywood with various parts over the years. She’s definitely proven her salt as a television actress since she’s starred in a number of projects on both network and cable television including ABC’s Of Kings and Prophets from 2016, ABC’s The Crossing from 2018, and FOX’s Terra Nova. She also starred opposite Dwayne Johnson in the 2015 American disaster film San Andreas. Her role in Kenobi is definitely going to bring her on your radars in a big way.
Benny Safdie
Benny Safdie is a lot more recognizable behind the camera than he is in front of it. Safdie along with his brother and co-director Josh have been reinventing the indie film scene with their dark and gritty takes on New York City and crime. Their work with actors like Robert Pattinson in Good Time and Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems have completely shifted public perception of the two actors as drama heavyweights. It was alongside Pattison that Benny Safdie made his starring debut as a mentally handicapped bank robber. Since then, he’s been appearing on camera more and more with roles in Netflix’s Pieces of a Woman and an upcoming part in the next Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project. Kenobi will be Benny Safdie’s television debut and we can’t think of a better place to make it.
