Star Wars’ last two live-action TV shows have highlighted the importance of an era introduced three years ago. Since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s release and the reported end of the Skywalker saga, Star Wars’ storytelling has become more interconnected than ever. With the advent of Disney+ and the success of The Mandalorian in 2019, Star Wars was able to build the “Mandoverse” sub-franchise, fleshing out the New Republic era and building on what came before in productions like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Star Wars’ latest offering, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, is also part of this era.

As important as the New Republic era has become, another historical Star Wars era has become a focal point for the franchise in recent years as well, changing our understanding of the Jedi Order and the galaxy’s history entirely. Though it originally seemed like this era would mostly stand apart from the rest of the franchise, confined to the pages of novels and comic books, Star Wars’ most recent Disney+ output has proven that this pivotal time for the Jedi Order is becoming more important to the galaxy’s overarching narrative.

Light Of The Jedi Introduced Viewers To The High Republic Era

In 2021, Star Wars published Star Wars: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule, the first novel in what would become known as Star Wars: The High Republic. The High Republic era is set a few centuries before the events of the Star Wars prequels, chronicling the hardships the Jedi Order and the Republic faced at the hands of dangerous pirates called the Nihil, Force-eating creatures known as the Nameless, and a dark, carnivorous plant species known as the Drengir.

The Jedi’s actions in the High Republic offer valuable insight into how they became susceptible to the Sith’s manipulations during the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

What started with Light of the Jedi soon evolved into a three-phase transmedia franchise, with The High Republic’s history unfolding across multiple adult, YA, and middle-grade novels, comic books, audio plays, and short stories. Perhaps most importantly, the Jedi’s actions in the High Republic offer valuable insight into how they became susceptible to the Sith’s manipulations during the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The High Republic Was The Foundation For The Acolyte… & There’s A Skeleton Crew Connection Too

Though the bulk of The High Republic’s storytelling is found within Star Wars’ publishing initiative, it has since expanded to include live-action TV. Star Wars: The Acolyte is set at the tail end of the High Republica era, roughly 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Not only did it give audiences a glimpse at how the Jedi were faring after their fight with the Nihil, but it also introduced the threat of the Sith and offered a brief yet enticing glimpse of Darth Sidious’ Master, Darth Plagueis.

More recently (and more surprisingly), Star Wars: Skeleton Crew also references the High Republic era, despite telling a unique story set firmly during the New Republic. In Skeleton Crew‘s first episode, a government official named Fara addresses a class of children, emphasizing the importance of At Attin’s “Great Work.” In The High Republic, Republic Chancellor Lina Soh devised and executed several projects she deemed “Great Works,” meant to help the Republic and the Jedi build and maintain lasting peace across the galaxy. As such, there’s no denying that Star Wars is more interested in digging into the galaxy’s history than ever before.

Skeleton Crew Release Date Schedule

Episode
Director
Release Date

Episode 1
Jon Watts
December 2

Episode 2
David Lowery
December 2

Episode 3
David Lowery
December 10

Episode 4
The Daniels
December 17

Episode 5
Jake Schreier
December 24

Episode 6
Bryce Dallas Howard
December 31

Episode 7
Lee Isaac Chung
January 7

Episode 8
Jon Watts
January 14