The galaxy far, far away is widening its scope via a new casting for the Star Wars franchise. While The Walt Disney Company has seen notable backlash from critics over its dedication to diversity, this hasn’t stopped it from moving forward with its unyielding message of inclusivity. The company has granted the LGBTQ+ community another huge victory via a new casting decision in the upcoming Star Wars: The Acolyte series for Disney+.
First Transgender Actress in Star Wars
British actress Abigail Thorn will join The Acolyte‘s cast as an unknown character named Ensign Eurus. Thorn came out as transgender in 2021 via a public statement on her popular Youtube channel, Philosophy Tube. The 30-year-old actress has over one million followers on the social media platform. She has also appeared in the Italian-French Django television series this year. Thorn has also seen success as an award-winning playwright. penning and staring in the Off West End play The Prince.
Abigail has been an outspoken person for trans-equality in the time since she came out. In a period where trans characters are not featured heavily in media, the actress could bring a unique and meaningful presence to the world of Star Wars. Queer characters have only ever been seen in the background or in minor supporting roles in its movies and series.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is an upcoming television series set in the Star Wars universe. It takes place during the High Republic era, which is a time period hundreds of years before the events of the original Star Wars movies. The show will follow the story of a young Jedi acolyte who is a student learning the ways of the Force. It promises to explore new characters, planets, and conflicts within the Star Wars galaxy, offering an exciting adventure for Star Wars fans and newcomers alike.
This period of Star Wars lore has only been developed outside of television and movies. As of yet, Abigail Thorn’s character, Ensign Eurus, has never been mentioned nor seen in anything related to The High Republic. It is unknown how prominent the actress’s role will be, but this doesn’t detract from this milestone casting for the long-standing franchise. Look for her when The Acolyte comes to Disney+ in 2024.
