Star Wars: The High Republic is introducing a Wookiee Jedi

(Image credit: Disney)

The High Republic, a new Star Wars story set to be told across a range of novels and comics, launches next year and, thanks to the official Star Wars site, we have a fresh look at some of the Jedi joining the saga. 

The High Republic takes place around 200 years before Qui Gon-Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi came across young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. It was the Jedi’s high point and saw the mystical knights defending all corners of the galaxy.

Among the new characters coming to the series is Wookiee Padawan called Burryaga. Yes, Wookiee Jedi are now a thing. Charles Soule, author of Light of the Jedi, said: “Burryaga is one of the few Wookiees to travel from the lush forests of Kashyyyk to study in the ornate halls of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.”

He also shared a bit more about Burryaga’s potential as a Padawan learner: “While he is skilled with his two-handed lightsaber, it is Burryaga’s natural, effortless ability to sense the emotions of others that sets him apart from other members of the Order.”

If you’re thinking no one will be able to understand Burryaga’s Shyriiwook roars, there’s no need to worry – his master learned the language especially for him.

As well as Burryaga, readers will get to meet Bell Zettifar, a Padawan to a famous Jedi. Bell and his master will be on the planet Elphrona in the Outer Rim, an unforgiving environment that Bell explores with a charhound called Ember. Plus, The High Republic Adventures comic written by Daniel José Older will feature a new, enthusiastic Padawan called Lula Talisola, who hopes to become the greatest Jedi in history.  

Meanwhile, another new character, Reath Silas, will be introduced in Claudia Gray’s novel Into the Dark. Reath is said to have had a more luxurious experience learning with a master on the Jedi Council, and is set to get a surprise when he heads out to the wider galaxy. The beauty of a series set back in the past is that there's a lot of scope for new stories, so we're excited to see what else is revealed about the High Republic next January. 

For now, check out our timeline of every major Star Wars event in chronological order to get up to speed.

Molly Edwards
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English. 

Latest in Sci-Fi Movies
Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars fans have ignited an age-old debate, and there are some seriously hot takes
Sam Worthington in Avatar: The Way of Water
James Cameron's early cut of Avatar 3 is "absolutely breathtaking," according to Disney CEO Bob Iger
Pacific Rim
The 35 greatest 2010s sci-fi movies
Godzilla emerging from an exploding volcano.
Win a Blu-ray of Godzilla vs Biollante
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Mandalorian and Grogu has the lowest budget of any theatrical Star Wars movie since Disney bought Lucasfilm
Millie Bobby Brown in The Electric State
Despite being one of the most expensive movies of all time, The Electric State isn't set to break any viewership records for Netflix
Latest in News
Adam Scott as Mark S and Britt Lower as Helly R in Severance season 2
There might have been another reason for Mark's decision in the Severance season 2 finale
Silent Hill f art showing a person covered in plants
Silent Hill f has been pre-emptively banned in Australia, with no reason given for the 'refused classification' rating
Assassin's Creed Shadows review gameplay showing Yasuke overlooking the sea and lush green scenery
Assassin's Creed Shadows has already "surpassed the launches of AC Origins and Odyssey" with 2 million players and counting
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing someone using a big gun
Helldivers 2 boss says "death and rebirth" is a natural part of the games industry, but it's "unnecessarily brutal" right now "because we don't diversify enough"
A Dragon Age character stares out against a blue background.
BioWare makes a return to Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a surprise PC update, months after layoffs and a seemingly final patch
God of War 3
God of War PSP's seamless loading was only possible because a Jak & Daxter game was also running in the background