Every 'Star Wars' Live-Action TV Show Ranked | MarkMeets | Celebrity News, Music, Movies, TV, London Film Premieres

The Star Wars franchise, now under the auspices of Walt Disney Studios, has undergone a significant transformation. While the initial releases, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, the series began to feel overexposed. The iconic tagline, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” lost some of its magic as it adorned countless movies and, with the advent of Disney+, television shows.

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Nonetheless, the Star Wars universe has entered a new era, continuously expanding its lore and world-building through Disney+. Shows such as “The Mandalorian” have successfully pushed the boundaries, earning the loyalty of fans and garnering industry respect. Despite mixed results in subsequent efforts, Disney+’s Star Wars shows continue to provide a source of consistent entertainment. Not every season attains excellence; some may fall into the category of mediocrity. Nevertheless, when Star Wars gets things right, it reaches new heights of quality, exceeding all expectations.

7 ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ (2022)

The Diverging Paths of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand

“The Book of Boba Fett” presented an enticing premise. Who wouldn’t want to see the galaxy’s most ruthless bounty hunter, Boba Fett, in his own series, hunting down even more formidable adversaries? Regrettably, the show felt like a fusion of two underwhelming narratives. Half of the series appeared as an uninspiring continuation of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” taking far too long to explain Boba Fett’s escape from the Sarlacc Pit. The other half resembled an unrelated and half-baked sequel to “The Mandalorian,” with Boba Fett’s minimal presence.

While Robert Rodriguez deserves recognition for infusing the Western genre into the Star Wars universe, “The Book of Boba Fett” ultimately felt both excessive and lacking. It emerged as one of the most blatant cash grabs among Disney+’s Star Wars offerings, raising concerns about the forthcoming third season of “The Mandalorian” and leaving fans somewhat apprehensive.

6 ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 (2023)

The Disappearing Allure of ‘The Mandalorian’

Pedro Pascal’s endearing performance had initially propelled “The Mandalorian” into a realm of fresh storytelling within the Star Wars universe. It explored the previously hinted-at “hive of scum and villainy” in the original trilogy. However, by the time the long-awaited third season arrived, much of the goodwill had waned.

The series seemed to lack a clear endpoint, with the third season primarily focusing on expanding the larger mythology of the Star Wars universe rather than delivering a satisfying narrative about Mando. This approach left viewers not versed in the history of Dave Filoni’s animated shows in a state of confusion.

5 ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (2022)

Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Forgettable Series with Missed Opportunities

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” presented a promising premise at its core, centered around Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan rediscovering his faith in the Jedi Order. McGregor, a highly respected actor, had only garnered more acclaim since his role as a young Obi-Wan in the prequels. Moreover, the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader held considerable allure.

However, the series chose to integrate not only Darth Vader but also Luke Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Bail Organa, and even Emperor Palpatine for a series of cameo appearances that seemed like pure fan service. In contrast to their electrifying duels in “Star Wars: A New Hope” and “Revenge of the Sith,” the Obi-Wan and Vader confrontation felt lackluster. Nonetheless, McGregor’s commendable performance did elevate the series to some extent.

4 ‘Ahsoka’ (2023)

Ahsoka: A Familiar Yet Unresolved Journey

“Ahsoka” proves challenging to evaluate independently. For fans of “Star Wars Rebels,” the series offered satisfaction by bringing to life characters like Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and Ezra Bridger. The show follows Ahsoka’s investigation of a new threat following the fall of the Empire.

“Ahsoka” felt akin to another season of “Rebels,” yet it showed no obligation to provide a satisfying or organic conclusion to its narrative. A standout aspect was Ray Stevenson’s exceptional portrayal of the dark force-wielder Baylan Skoll. Baylan emerged as one of the most thrilling new characters in the Disney era of Star Wars, making it all the more tragic that Stevenson’s untimely passing prevented him from reprising the role.

3 ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 (2020)

Emotional Highs and Controversial Lows in Season 2

“The Mandalorian” Season 2 followed Din Djarin’s quest to return Grogu to the Jedi, revealing their identity. The season offered exhilarating highs but also faced some disheartening lows. Rosario Dawson’s debut as Ahsoka Tano and Bryce Dallas Howard’s outstanding direction in “The Heiress” showcased the series’ potential.

Regrettably, the emotional connection between Din and Grogu was overshadowed by the polarizing use of a computer-generated version of Luke Skywalker. It felt like an unnecessary attempt to tether “The Mandalorian” to the broader Star Wars franchise, even though the series had carved out its identity.

2 ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 1 (2019)

A Fresh and Simplistic Approach to ‘The Mandalorian’

“The Mandalorian” Season 1 harnessed the essence of what made Star Wars unique and evolved it organically. Pedro Pascal portrayed Din Djarin, a bounty hunter thrust into the remote reaches of the post-Empire galaxy to retrieve a mysterious target known as “The Child.” Fans soon embraced “The Child” as the iconic Grogu, also referred to as “Baby Yoda.”

While the Star Wars franchise could have pursued a dense, “Game of Thrones”-esque epic saga, “The Mandalorian” chose a different path. It delivered a series of “mission of the week” style adventures, occasionally hinting at the broader villainous plans involving characters like Moff Gideon and the enigma surrounding Grogu’s origins. Season 1 captured a simplicity often absent in later seasons, resulting in a character-driven Western narrative that stood out in a franchise known for its action setpieces and grand stakes.

1 ‘Andor’ Season 1 (2022)

Andor: A Triumph in Star Wars Storytelling

“Andor” stands out as not just a great Star Wars show, but an outstanding piece of television. Irrespective of its connection to the galaxy far, far away, Tony Gilroy’s twelve-episode season presents a captivating exploration of the birth of revolutions, the roots of social fascism, and the challenges of an unknown heritage. This exceptional series is further enhanced by the inclusion of memorable Star Wars monologues delivered by the talented Stellan Skarsgård.

Tony Gilroy transformed Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, a character with limited development in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” into a dynamic modern anti-hero. Luna’s nuanced, captivating performance is nothing short of Emmy-worthy, underscoring that Star Wars can still be both exciting and politically relevant. “Andor” is a testament to the fact that Star Wars has always been more than lightsabers and spaceships; at its core, it’s a narrative about freedom and the enduring human struggle to preserve it. Few shows embody this sentiment as effectively as “Andor.”