Star Wars: Tales of the Empire is an anthology series set during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign. In 2022, Lucasfilm released a stunning animated anthology series that celebrated two classic characters from the prequel trilogy era – Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. Tales of the Jedi was warmly received, and it didn’t take Lucasfilm long to confirm season 2 was on its way.
But there was a twist in the tale; in April 2024, Lucasfilm delighted viewers by revealing Tales of the Jedi season 2 had become Tales of the Empire. The Tales of the Empire trailer revealed the format would be the same, with the six episodes divided between two characters. This time, though, it looks set to be serving as a crucial part of ongoing Star Wars arcs – coloring in the backstories of major Ahsoka characters, and even featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Tales of the Empire will release on May 4, 2024, part of this year’s Star Wars Day celebrations. The thrilling trailer confirms the main viewpoint characters here are Meredith Salenger’s Barriss Offee and Diana Lee Inosanto’s Morgan Elsbeth. The former was a major character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, who betrayed the Jedi and framed Ahsoka Tano for bombing the temple. Morgan Elsbeth, meanwhile, appeared in live-action in Ahsoka as an Imperial who helped bring Grand Admiral Thrawn back to the main galaxy several years after Return of the Jedi.
The Tales of the Empire trailer’s final moments all but confirm that this has replaced Tales of the Jedi season 2. This actually follows a similar pattern from Star Wars Legends, where Bantam published a range of anthology books celebrating different groups: the Jedi, the Empire, bounty hunters, and so on. Presumably Lucasfilm is following the same pattern, transitioning from Jedi to Empire, and to potentially anything else in the future.
The Tales of the Empire trailer also confirms appearances by Darth Vader and the Mother of the Singing Mountain Clan of Dathomir, but it is unknown who will voice these roles at this time.
Tales of the Empire is expected to follow the same format as Tales of the Jedi, meaning it will feature three episodes focused on Morgan Elsbeth and three on Barriss Offee. Barriss’ story will focus on her training as an Imperial Inquisitor, and the trailer even shows Darth Vader himself – the leader of the Inquisitors. Morgan’s, meanwhile, will finally explain why a Dathomiri – whose people were wiped out by the Sith – will become part of the Empire.
Even more excitingly, one shot in Tales of the Empire‘s trailer features people with New Republic insignia. This suggests Morgan Elsbeth’s story at least will run beyond Return of the Jedi, into the New Republic era – tying in to her appearances in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Tales of the Empire really will be essential viewing for Star Wars fans.