The Acolyte has been shrouded in mystery since it was announced, but Star Wars recently confirmed exactly when it is set in the timeline. One of the confirmed details about The Acolyte revealed the show would be set during the High Republic era, a time often described as the golden age of the Jedi Order. Exactly when it took place in the larger Star Wars timeline has remained a mystery, though, until now.
In an interview with Empire, Rebecca Henderson, the actor portraying Vernestra Rwoh in The Acolyte, confirmed that her Jedi will be 116 years old in the upcoming Star Wars show. Since Rwoh was 16 years old in Phase I of the High Republic novels, with those novels being set 200 years prior to The Phantom Menace, it is now confirmed that The Acolyte is set in the year 132 BBY, exactly 100 years before the prequel trilogy.
It was known that The Acolyte would take place near the end of the High Republic era, but it hadn’t been confirmed until now exactly when the show would take place. The Acolyte‘s setting in 132 BBY could mean that, beyond simply being near the end of the High Republic, it could depict the actual final days of that era of Star Wars.
The Jedi Order featured in the High Republic era was almost unrecognizable compared to the one shown in the prequel trilogy. While the prequel Order was complacent and near its end, the Order in the High Republic was in its heyday and embodied the ideals it preached. Something happened in the 200 years separating the two eras to bring the Order to its knees, though, and it now seems The Acolyte will reveal exactly what ended the High Republic era. What exactly caused the Order’s downfall remains to be seen, though.
There have been several theories about The Acolyte since its trailer was released, and they mostly center around who the villain of The Acolyte could be. Since the show will depict mysterious dark side powers, it seems likely that the Sith’s long-term plan to destroy the Jedi will factor into the show. Whether it was a Sith Lord or the Jedi’s own faults that caused the Order to deteriorate remains to be seen, though. No matter how it shakes out, The Acolyte‘s setting in the timeline seems to indicate that there is great darkness ahead for the Jedi.
Source: Empire