Jodie Turner-Smith Reveals New Details About Her 'Star Wars' Character In 'The Acolyte'

Actress Jodie Turner-Smith is ready to travel to a galaxy far, far away.

The 36-year-old actress recently appeared with another “Star Wars” alum, Adam Driver, in 2022’s “White Noise.” Turner-Smith isn't about to star in a movie, though. Instead, she is set to appear in the Disney+ series "The Acolyte."

Star Wars fans can’t wait to see “The Acolyte,” which is set during the final days of the High Republic era. The mystery-thriller series, helmed by Leslye Headland, will tell the story of a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes.

During an interview for Murder Mystery 2, Collider asked Turner-Smith if she could reveal any details about “The Acolyte.” Turner-Smith was quick to say that the project was unlike anything else she had done in her career.

"Obviously, the subject matter is different. It's different when everything that you're doing is light-hearted, and that's not what I was doing for Star Wars,” she explained. “But I was working with my favorite director that I've worked with so far, Kogonada, and under the leadership of Leslye Headland. It is incredible to see. I can't wait to see how this show turns out."

The show stars Amandla Stenberg, who is best known for playing little Rue in the first “Hunger Games movie.” Unfortunately, the two don’t seem to share any scenes together. "Amandla is such an incredible performer,” she explained. “I, unfortunately, didn't have any scenes with her, but I got to see a little bit of what they've been doing, and I think it's gonna be epic, and it's nothing that anyone has seen before inside of that universe."

Although Jodie-Turner Smith admitted that her character is “not a Jedi,” it sounds like she still got a chance to wield a pretty cool weapon regardless. “I didn't get to use a lightsaber… but I did… not get to use a lightsaber,” she said, seemingly walking back whatever she was about to divulge. Hopefully, fans will get more information about her character at the annual Star Wars Celebration event in London next month!

Amandla first announced that she was joining the new series by posing for photos alongside Darth Vader and R2-D2 at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con. 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.”

In an interview with The Face magazine (via Game Rant) Amandla was surprised to hear that Lucasfilm producers had written the lead character of the series with her specifically in mind.

“The Lucasfilm team came to me with this project which was fully conceptualized with me in mind, and I was astounded,” she told the publication. Although some entertainers are not overly familiar with Star Wars when they get cast in the famous franchise, Amandla described herself as a big fan of the movies and TV shows, adding that she is “so lucky” to get to “get lost” in the franchise as part of her job.

“I get to read, watch, and breathe Star Wars. It’s my job to get lost in it, I’m so lucky,” she said. “My plans were interrupted by a very different life path, but one that I think is going to be a huge blessing.”

In addition to Stenberg, "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-Jae has also been cast in the series. Actor Charlie Barnett, best known for appearing in "Russian Doll," will again work alongside the show's co-creator Leslye Headland, who is showrunning, writing, and directing the latest Disney+ live-action series. He is reported to play a supporting role.

"The Matrix" star Carrie-Anne Moss has also joined the cast along with "His Dark Materials" star Dafne Keen, "Inventing Anna" star Rebecca Henderson, and "1917" actor Dean-Charles Chapman. Little is known about the identity of each character, but fans are hoping to hear more news at the Star Wars Celebration fan event next month!