Executive Overview
The modern landscape of the Star Wars franchise is undergoing a profound and necessary evolution. For decades, the narrative gravity of a galaxy far, far away was inextricably bound to the lineage, triumphs, and tragedies of the Skywalker family. However, Disney and Lucasfilm’s recent streaming initiatives have proven that the true strength of George Lucas’s universe lies not in its central bloodline, but in the vast, untamed expanse of its periphery.
Projects like The Mandalorian successfully reframed the galaxy through the lens of a classic Western, while Andor elevated the medium by treating the rebellion as a gritty, high-stakes political thriller. These creative triumphs have established a winning formula: pair a compelling character with a distinct genre, and the broader galaxy opens up to nearly limitless narrative possibilities.
Despite this paradigm shift, some of the most dynamic, morally complex, and culturally rich characters in the Star Wars canon remain relegated to supporting roles, animated appearances, or expanded-universe media. By exploring the margins of the timeline—ranging from the criminal underworlds of the underworld syndicates to the psychological tolls of the clone wars and the philosophical vacuum left by the collapse of the Jedi Order—Lucasfilm has a golden opportunity to expand its streaming slate. Below is an exhaustive journalistic examination of ten characters who not only deserve their own Disney+ series, but whose narrative trajectories are uniquely tailored to carry one.
Detailed Chronology and Character Analyses
1. Qi’ra: The Syndicate Architect
- Current Canon Status: Last seen assuming control of Crimson Dawn on behalf of Maul following the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).
- Proposed Genre: Crime Thriller / Neo-Noir
First brought to vivid life by Emilia Clarke in Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, Qi’ra’s narrative potential was unceremoniously cut short when standalone cinematic projects were put on hold. Her final moments in the film—stepping up to lead the crimson syndicate Crimson Dawn—set up an intoxicating premise that has since only been explored in Marvel comic book runs.
A Disney+ series centering on Qi’ra would bridge the gap between Solo and the original trilogy. It would chart her rise from an exploited street urchin on Corellia to a calculating, ruthless underworld power broker. By navigating the hyper-lethal cartel politics of the Hutts, the Pykes, and the Black Sun while evading the rising shadow of the Galactic Empire, a Qi’ra-centric show could capture the grounded, sweat-soaked tension that made Andor a critical darling. Clarke deserves the chance to unpack the psychological armor of a survivor who traded her empathy for absolute control.
2. Asajj Ventress: The Reluctant Wanderer
- Current Canon Status: Featured in the third season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, navigating life as a bounty hunter after surviving the purge and her complex ties to the Nightsisters.
- Proposed Genre: Psychological Western / Mercenary Drama
Few characters in Star Wars animation boast an evolution as staggering as Asajj Ventress. Originating in Genndy Tartakovsky’s 2003 Clone Wars micro-series and fully fleshed out in Dave Filoni’s subsequent projects, Ventress transitioned from a rage-fueled Sith assassin under Count Dooku to a Nightsister survivor, and finally to a weary, morally gray bounty hunter.
Her life during the imperial era offers a masterclass in dramatic storytelling. Abandoned by the Sith, hunted by the Jedi (before their fall), and carrying the profound trauma of losing her sisters on Dathomir, Ventress’s mercenary years are ripe for adaptation. A live-action series could explore her complex relationship with the Force—utilizing it not as a tool of dogma, but as a heavy, burdensome reminder of her past.
3. Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra: The Amoral Archaeologist
- Current Canon Status: A staple of Marvel’s Star Wars comic book universe, operating primarily during the era of the Galactic Civil War.
- Proposed Genre: Supernatural Adventure Comedy / Sci-Fi Heist
Created by Kieron Gillen in the pages of 2015’s Darth Vader #3, Doctor Chelli Aphra is often colloquially described as "Indiana Jones without a conscience." Accompanied by her two homicidal, psychopathic murder-droids, Triple-Zero and BT-1, Aphra hunts down ancient, dangerous artifacts across forgotten worlds, caring very little about who gets caught in the crossfire.
Aphra represents an archetype desperately missing from the current Disney+ line-up: a self-serving, quick-witted rogue whose primary motivations are profit, academic thrill, and sheer survival. A live-action or high-end animated series following Aphra would inject a much-needed dose of dark comedy and high-stakes archaeological capers into a television slate that frequently leans heavily into solemn heroics.
4. Captain Rex (CT-7567): The Weight of Brotherhood
- Current Canon Status: Survived the Clone Wars, removed his inhibitor chip, fought alongside the early rebellion, and was last glimpsed aiding Hera Syndulla in Ahsoka.
- Proposed Genre: Military Drama / Post-War Survivalist
Voiced masterfully by Dee Bradley Baker across multiple animated series, Captain Rex is the living history of the Clone Army. Having witnessed the galaxy transform from a functioning republic to a totalitarian empire—and having lived through the psychological nightmare of Order 66—Rex’s perspective is entirely unique.
A live-action series starring Temuera Morrison set immediately after the rise of the Empire would offer a poignant character study. It would explore the rapid, accelerated aging of the clones, the crushing weight of survivor’s guilt, and the bitter realization that their entire lives were engineered to serve as disposable assets for a war designed to destroy democracy. It is a mature, prestige-television premise worthy of serious dramatic execution.
5. Plo Koon: The High Republic Peacekeeper
- Current Canon Status: Deceased, shot down during the execution of Order 66 over Cato Neimoidia.
- Proposed Genre: Philosophical Mystery / Procedural Anthology
The Kel Dor Jedi Master was a beloved fixture of the Prequel Trilogy and The Clone Wars, known for his calm demeanor, deep respect for his clone troopers, and his paternal bond with Ahsoka Tano. However, his life before the events of The Phantom Menace remains largely a blank canvas.
An anthology-style prequel series set during the High Republic era could position Plo Koon as an investigator and galactic diplomat. By showcasing his peacekeeping missions and exploring a Jedi Order operating at the height of its institutional power and moral clarity, Lucasfilm could establish a sharp, dramatic contrast to the corruption and fall of the Order that audiences are already familiar with.
6. Quinlan Vos: The Undercover Operative
- Current Canon Status: Confirmed to have survived Order 66, currently operating within the Hidden Path network to rescue Force-sensitives.
- Proposed Genre: Psychological Espionage Thriller
Originating in the Dark Horse Star Wars: Republic comics and later integrated into canon, Quinlan Vos is one of the Jedi Order’s most unorthodox agents. Blessed with psychometry—the ability to read residual memories and emotions stored in objects—Vos specialized in deep-cover intelligence operations that required him to skirt dangerously close to the dark side.
A series centered on Vos would function as a high-stakes espionage thriller. It would dissect the psychological toll placed upon a man whose daily routine requires him to think, feel, and act like the very monsters he is hunting. The temptation of the dark side in Vos’s story is not a sudden plot device, but a slow, occupational hazard.
7. Hondo Ohnaka: The Pragmatic Pirate
- Current Canon Status: Operating various pirate ventures well into the era of the Sequels (as seen at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge).
- Proposed Genre: Picaroon Adventure / Imperial-Era Satire
The Weequay pirate captain introduced in The Clone Wars stands out because he operates entirely outside ideological binaries. In a galaxy consumed by wars between the Jedi and Sith, the Republic and Separatists, or the Resistance and the First Order, Hondo Ohnaka serves one master: profit margins.
A series chronicling Hondo’s exploits during the height of the Galactic Empire—as an independent criminal enterprise desperately trying to survive under the boot of an authoritarian regime that views independent operators as inefficiencies—would be both hilarious and surprisingly high-stakes. Hondo’s unique brand of theatrical self-preservation deserves a long-form showcase.
8. The Grand Inquisitor: Anatomy of a Fallen Guardian
- Current Canon Status: Deceased, killed by Kanan Jarrus aboard the Sovereign aboard Mustafar/Fortress Inquisitorius during Rebels.
- Proposed Genre: Gothic Horror / Psychological Descent
Introduced in animation and later brought to live-action by Rupert Friend in Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Grand Inquisitor’s backstory is one of the most tragic in galactic history. Once a proud Jedi Temple Guard entrusted with protecting the sacred archives, disillusionment with the Jedi Council drove him into the arms of Darth Vader, where he became the primary instrument of hunting down his former comrades.
A horror-infused series chronicling his transition, his early days commanding the Inquisitorius, and the psychological corrosion of his soul would shatter the typical narrative molds of Disney+. Villain-centric narratives succeed when the antagonist possesses an internal logic; the Grand Inquisitor’s journey from protector to butcher is a descent well worth charting.
9. Sabine Wren: The Mandalorian Rebel’s Early Days
- Current Canon Status: Training as a Jedi under Ahsoka Tano in the post-Imperial era.
- Proposed Genre: YA Rebellion Drama / Artistic Action-Adventure
Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s live-action portrayal of Sabine Wren in Ahsoka introduced casual viewers to a complex warrior, yet much of her formative history remains locked within the animated canon of Rebels. Her tenure as an Imperial Academy cadet, her accidental design of destructive weaponry used against her own clan, and her subsequent exile provide rich dramatic soil.
A prequel series detailing her teenage years alongside fellow Mandalorian exile Ketsu Onyo would provide the franchise with a distinct visual and tonal aesthetic. It would present a more chaotic, vibrant, and youth-driven corner of the galaxy, exploring how art, rebellion, and personal accountability intersect under oppressive rule.
10. Baylan Skoll: The Philosophical Exile
- Current Canon Status: Fate left ambiguous following the passing of actor Ray Stevenson during the production of Ahsoka Season 1.
- Proposed Genre: Philosophical Odyssey / Existential Epic
Baylan Skoll, portrayed with immense gravitas by the late Ray Stevenson, instantly captivated audiences as a former Jedi Knight who survived the purge, rejected both the dogmas of the Jedi and the malice of the Sith, and sought to break the eternal, destructive cycle of the Force altogether.
Whether continued through careful casting or explored via animation, a series tracking Baylan’s survival through the Dark Times—his quiet observations, his disillusionment, and his pursuit of ancient, primordial mysteries—represents the single most intellectually ambitious narrative avenue available to Lucasfilm today.
Supporting Context & Metrics
The appetite for non-Skywalker content is empirically supported by recent audience reception data. According to third-party streaming analytics aggregators:
- Andor achieved some of the highest critical acclaim in television history, demonstrating that adult-skewing, narrative-dense storytelling resonates deeply with mature demographics.
- The Mandalorian remains one of Disney+’s most-watched original assets, proving that episodic, character-driven serials set outside the core trilogies drive sustained subscriber retention.
- Fan engagement metrics across social platforms consistently rank expanded-universe characters (such as Doctor Aphra and Quinlan Vos) among the highest-demand subjects for future cinematic or televisual adaptations.
Official Statements
While Lucasfilm has remained tight-lipped regarding specific greenlights for most of these characters, studio leadership has frequently emphasized a commitment to expanding genre parameters. Speaking on the future of the platform at past investor presentations, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy noted:
"The future of Star Wars lies in our ability to explore every corner of this vast galaxy. By leaning into different genres—whether it’s espionage, political thrillers, or westerns—we give our creators the freedom to tell stories that feel fresh, unexpected, and emotionally resonant."
Similarly, executive producer Dave Filoni has repeatedly highlighted the narrative wealth of characters originating in animation, remarking that television offers a unique runway to flesh out characters whose stories were previously truncated by runtime constraints.
Future Outlook
The expansion of the Star Wars television universe is at a critical crossroads. As Disney+ refines its content strategy to prioritize quality and distinct creative visions over rapid output, the path forward is clear. The era of relying exclusively on legacy characters has successfully paved the way for a more mature, diverse cinematic ecosystem.
By taking calculated creative risks on characters like Qi’ra, Doctor Aphra, and Baylan Skoll, Lucasfilm can ensure that the galaxy far, far away remains an infinitely explorable frontier for decades to come. The stories are waiting in the margins; it is up to the studio to bring them to the screen.
Which Star Wars characters would you like to see starring in their own Disney+ show? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth.
— Matthew Shepherd
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