Starring
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi:
A Jedi Master who survived Order 66 and now lives in exile, under the name "Ben", on the planet Tatooine, watching over young Luke Skywalker.[2][4] McGregor was excited to play a version of the character closer to Alec Guinness's portrayal from the original Star Wars trilogy than his own younger version from the prequel trilogy,[5] with Kenobi beginning the series "broken, and faithless, and beaten, [having] somewhat given up".[6] Executive producer Michelle Rejwan described Kenobi as being in a "pretty traumatic moment" following his losses in Revenge of the Sith (2005), including his apprentice Anakin's fall to the dark side of the Force. Kenobi left Anakin for dead on Mustafar at the end of the film and feels guilty for doing so,[7] with director Deborah Chow being intrigued by the idea that Kenobi might still care deeply for Anakin.[8] Head writer Joby Harold said the series would relate the "very emotional" version of Kenobi in the prequels to Alec Guinness's "zen master" in A New Hope (1977).[9] McGregor was part of the conversations about Kenobi's characterization in the series,[7] and rewatched the Skywalker Saga films to prepare. He also read science fiction novels, including those written by Iain M. Banks, for the role.[10]
Recurring co-stars
Rupert Friend as the Grand Inquisitor:
A member of the Pau'an species from Utapau who is the highest-ranking Inquisitor of the Galactic Empire.[6] He was once a member of the Jedi Order, serving as a Jedi Temple Guard. Friend said the character enjoyed the sound of his own voice and naively believed himself to be "on a par" with Darth Vader, wishing to replace him as Emperor Palpatine's apprentice. Friend was excited to bring the Grand Inquisitor to live action and wanted to remain faithful to his characterization in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, though he, Chow, and Rebels co-creator Dave Filoni did not want Friend to do an impression of original actor Jason Isaacs.[11]
Sung Kang as the Fifth Brother: An Inquisitor who rivals Reva and strictly follows orders from both the Grand Inquisitor and Darth Vader.[12]
Moses Ingram as Reva Sevander / Third Sister:
A ruthless, ambitious Inquisitor who feels a need to prove herself to the Grand Inquisitor and Darth Vader.[6][12] A former Jedi Youngling, she secretly plots revenge against Vader for killing her peers during Order 66.[13] Reva shares a common goal in being dedicated to finding Kenobi, though she is open to using more impulsive tactics.[6][12] Harold believed Reva would "contribute to the legacy of Star Wars villains in a really interesting way", while Ingram described her as a "full-on athlete" and a badass.[9] Ingram felt forgiveness was a central theme of her character, and that Reva was motivated by trauma from the pain of her past, adding "if she could let it go, or if she could at least cope better, she wouldn't need to do the things that she’s doing".[14] She also influenced Reva's appearance, insisting that the character use her natural kinky hair rather than a wig so that African-American children could imitate the character for Halloween.[15] Ayaamii Sledge portrays a young Reva.[16]
Vivien Lyra Blair as Leia Organa: Anakin Skywalker's daughter, Luke's twin sister, and a princess on Alderaan kidnapped by hired bounty hunters.[17]
Kumail Nanjiani as Haja Estree: A street-level con artist working on the streets of Daiyu, posing as a Jedi. Nanjiani researched real-life con artists and magicians to prepare for the role.[18][19]
Hayden Christensen and James Earl Jones as Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader:
Kenobi's former apprentice who fell to the dark side and became a Sith Lord. He is the father of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.[1][2][20] Having not played the character since 2005, Christensen rewatched the Skywalker Saga films, as well as the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Rebels, to prepare for the role. He enjoyed seeing how the animated series had further explored the relationship between Anakin and Kenobi.[10] Christensen was excited to portray Darth Vader, having primarily portrayed the character as Anakin Skywalker previously, and discussed how to portray Vader's simultaneous strength and imprisonment with Chow;[8] he called Vader in the series "very powerful".[9] While Christensen primarily portrays Vader, Dmitrious Bistrevsky serves as the in-suit performer for Vader, while Tom O'Connell served as the stunt double.[21] Jones voices Darth Vader, reprising his role from previous Star Wars media.[22][23]
Indira Varma as Tala Durith: A disillusioned Imperial officer on the planet Mapuzo who helps Jedi escape the Empire with help from The Path.[19]
O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Kawlan Roken: A leader in The Path network who helps Jedi escape the Empire.[19]
Other co-stars
Benny Safdie as Nari: A Jedi hiding on Tatooine who escaped Order 66 as a Youngling.[17]
Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars: A moisture farmer on Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker's step-brother, and Luke's uncle who is skeptical of Kenobi's presence on Tatooine and desired involvement with Luke's life.[24][25]
Bonnie Piesse as Beru Whitesun Lars: Owen's wife and Luke's aunt.[24]
Simone Kessell as Breha Organa: Queen of Alderaan, Leia's adoptive mother, and wife of Bail Organa.[17]
Flea as Vect Nokru: A bounty hunter hired to kidnap Leia Organa.[17]
Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa: Leia's adoptive father and Senator of Alderaan.[17]
Marisé Álvarez as Nyche Horn: A refugee with a young son seeking transport from Daiyu to Corellia.[19]
Rya Kihlstedt as the Fourth Sister: An Inquisitor.[17]
Zach Braff voices Freck: A transport driver for the Imperial mining facility on the planet Mapuzo.[26]
Maya Erskine as Sully: A member in The Path network who helps Jedi escape the Empire.[19]
Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine: The Dark Lord of the Sith and Darth Vader's master.[27]
Additionally, Ming Qiu, a stunt performer from the Star Wars series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, portrays Jedi Master Minas Velti during the Order 66 flashback,[17] Grant Feely appears as Luke Skywalker, Anakin's son,[28] and Anthony Daniels reprises his franchise role as C-3PO while Temuera Morrison appears as a homeless veteran clone trooper after playing the clones in previous Star Wars media.[17] Ewan McGregor's daughter Esther-Rose McGregor plays Tetha Grig, a spice dealer that Kenobi encounters on the streets of Daiyu.[29] Dustin Ceithamer portrays the droid NED-B.[30] Liam Neeson reprises his role as Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi Wan's deceased master, in an uncredited cameo appearance