Charlie Barnett in Talks to Join ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘The Acolyte’

Actor Charlie Barnett is the latest famous face expected to join the growing cast of the upcoming “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte” in a galaxy far, far away.

Barnett, best known for starring opposite “Orange Is The New Black” alum Natasha Lyonne in the Netflix series “Russian Doll,” is now in talks to join the latest “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte.”

In the popular Netflix series, Barnett plays a man who is stuck in a time loop that Natasha’s character of Nadia Vulvokov also encounters. The two then work together to try to solve their mysteries in the critically acclaimed series.

Barnett, who has also gone on to star in “Chicago Fire,” “You,” and “Arrow,” is currently in talks to join the series, so his commitment to the project isn’t confirmed just yet.

However, if he does join the project, he will be working together with “Russian Doll” co-creator Leslye Headland, who is showrunning, writing, and directing the latest Disney+ live-action series.

None of the characters for any of the actors or actresses in the project have been revealed, but sources told The Hollywood Reporter, who announced the news, that it is likely that he will be playing a supporting role.

Only one day before Charlie Barnett was announced to be in talks to join the series, Deadline revealed that “The Good Place” star Manny Jacinto has been cast in the upcoming series, although no details have been given about his character yet.

Although he is best known for playing Jason Mendoza on “The Good Place,” fans most recently got to see him in the box office success “Top Gun: Maverick.” He also appeared in the Amazon Prime movie, “I Want You Back” and the limited Hulu series, “Nine Perfect Strangers.”

Earlier this month, Deadline reported that the "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-Jae had been tapped to play the male lead in the series shortly before his first Emmy win on Monday. Lee has won several major awards for his roles, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award, and six Baeksang Arts Awards.

In addition to his acting, he will also make his directorial debut in his film "Hunt," which he both directed and starred in. The film was recently acquired by Magnolia Pictures and will debut at the Cannes Film Festival premiere.

In addition to Lee's casting, Deadline reported that British actress and model Jodie-Turner Smith will be joining a galaxy far, far away as well. She recently appeared alongside another Star Wars star, Adam Driver, in the film, "White Noise," which kicked off the 2022 Venice Film Festival. Driver is best known for portraying Kylo Ren and the redeemed Ben Solo in the Star Wars sequel trilogy from 2015 to 2019.

Earlier this year, at San Diego Comic-Con, actress Amandla Stenberg, who played Rue in "The Hunger Games," announced her casting in the new series by posing for photos alongside Darth Vader and R2-D2.

In an Instagram post announcing the news, she wrote, "Next stop: a galaxy far, far away… I am so excited to finally announce I’m joining Star Wars: #TheAcolyte ! Honored is an understatement. May the Force be with you."

Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy, commented, “Welcome Amandla. The galaxy is better with you in it. ❤️.” Lucasfilm commented, “Welcome to the galaxy!” while Disney+ added, “??.”

As previously stated, "The Acolyte" is being created by "Russian Doll" co-creator Leslye Headland, who will serve as the show’s writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Rayne Roberts is set to co-develop the series along with Headland. Production is expected to start in London this fall.

During its announcement at Disney Investor Day in 2020, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy teased, “Leslye Headland, Emmy-nominated creator of the mind-bending series Russian Doll, is a boldly innovative filmmaker bringing her new Star Wars series to Disney+. The Acolyte is a mystery thriller that will take us into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging Dark Side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.”

The latest Disney+ series will take place during the High Republic era, which ended approximately fifty years before the events of the first film in the prequel trilogy, “The Phantom Menace.”

In “Star Wars” terminology, an acolyte is a novice Sith who has just begun their training under a Sith Lord, similar to what a Padawan would be to a Jedi. This story will take place prior to Sith Lord Darth Bane developing the infamous Rule of Two, which states that only two Sith can exist at one time, meaning there might be multiple new Sith characters that will be introduced into the franchise.

Unfortunately, not much else is known about the show at this time, and there was very little information provided to fans at the annual Disney D23 expo last week. However, fans can learn more about other live-action Disney+ series planned in the Star Wars universe, including "The Mandalorian," "Skeleton Crew," "Ahsoka," and "Andor," by clicking here.