When is The Acolyte set in the Star Wars timeline?

The Acolyte is set in a period that has never been shown on screen before.

Star Wars: The Acolyte is the latest addition in the extensive Star Wars saga. With more than a dozen movies and animated shows, as well as several new series released on Disney+, the timeline of the world created by George Lucas is continuously growing. For newcomers, it can appear overwhelming. 

There are the prequel, original, and sequel trilogies, known together as the "Skywalker Saga." Additionally, there are animated series like Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Bad Batch. Since Disney+'s launch in late 2019, several spinoff shows have been released, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, and The Acolyte.

The Acolyte is set in the High Republic era, a period that has never been shown on screen before.

But don't worry, no prior knowledge is required to enjoy the show. In fact, The Acolyte is an ideal entry point into the Star Wars saga. Why? Because the High Republic era takes place before everything else in the timeline.

The Acolyte is set not just in a galaxy far, far away, but also in a time long, long ago, occurring a century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. This is well before Anakin Skywalker's birth, during a period when numerous Jedi roamed the galaxy.

The series begins with its iconic blue-text prologue, stating, "A century before the Empire's ascent, it is an era of peace. The Jedi Order and Galactic Republic have flourished for centuries without conflict. However, in the galaxy's shadowy corners, a select few have secretly mastered the Force. Among them, a solitary assassin risks exposure to seek vengeance."

On the 2023 episode of EW's Dagobah Dispatch podcast, showrunner Leslye Headland remarked that The Acolyte "stands out because it is the earliest in the Star Wars timeline that we have ever been in live-action." 

"We are toward the end of the High Republic, leading into George's prequels, so we are looking at a time period where the Jedi are at the height of their power," she added.

What is the timeline for the High Republic era?

The High Republic represents the Jedi’s golden era, lasting for centuries. During this period in Star Wars history, the Jedi weren't just a small group; they had a vast roster. The Jedi Order was highly influential and widespread throughout the galaxy. They aimed to explore the “Outer Rim” — areas of space previously untouched by any Jedi — to foster a peaceful, united galaxy.

The Acolyte is positioned towards the conclusion of this era, focusing on exploring how the influence of the dark side began to affect the Senate by the time of The Phantom Menace.