When does the Obi-Wan Kenobi series take place in the Star Wars universe?

It’s here at last, the story we’ve all been waiting for! Obi-Wan Kenobi, easily one of the greatest, and most fan popular, Jedi has finally gotten his own series.

Though we’re all aware that this is definitely not a prequel centered around Obi-Wan’s life as a padawan before the events of George Lucas’ first prequel, The Phantom Menace (1999), when does the Obi-Wan Kenobi series take place in the Star Wars universe? After all, it is starring the original Obi-Wan actor, the iconic 51-year-old Ewan McGregor.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series takes place ten years after the events of the third Star Wars prequel Revenge of the Sith (2005) which, as we all remember, ended with Senator Palpatine as Darth Sidious putting into motion Order 66 and ordering the massacre of all Jedi and padawans.

Anakin, of course, had turned to the Dark Side after being promised this action would lead to his saving Padme, who he dreamt would die in childbirth. Anakin and Obi-Wan have an epic battle, where Anakin is scorched, seemingly to death by lava.  His just-barely-alive body is found by Darth Sidious, who then turns Anakin into Darth Vader.

Meanwhile, Padme dies in childbirth delivering twins–though Anakin choking her in their last encounter certainly didn’t help–and Obi-Wan promises to watch over the children and protect them, especially young Luke.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series takes place after Revenge of the Sith and before A New Hope.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series begins its story a decade later, nine years before the events of A New Hope (1977) where Obi-Wan is living in hiding, has buried (in some cases, literally) his skills as a Jedi and works at a meat plantation in the desert outskirts of Tatooine. The former Jedi spends most of his time in solitude while also watching over a ten-year-old Luke, now living with his uncle (and Anakin’s step-brother) Owen–who now despises Jedi and blames them for Anakin’s death–and Aunt Beru.

Owen also resents Obi-Wan’s presence on Tatooine as it poses a threat since Inquisitors, workers for the Empire able to use Force from the Dark Side, now scour the galaxy hunting Jedi that may have survived Order 66. One inquisitor, called Third Sister, is particularly bent on finding Obi-Wan.

At the same time, Luke’s twin sister Leia is residing as a princess on Alderaan with her adopted parents Bail Organa and Queen Breha, reluctantly taking part in early training to become a senator. While both children are living very different lives, both show their parents’ same rebellious streak to explore the galaxies beyond.

A nice little Easter egg is that in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Luke and Leia are just one year older than Anakin was when he’s first introduced in The Phantom Menace.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series is also Darth Vader’s debut, in a way. Most believe Anakin Skywalker to be dead and Darth Vader has not made a starring appearance in many parts of the galaxy and has certainly not yet begun plans for the famous Death Star from Rogue One. But, he has earned a fearful respect among Inquisitors, as he was the one who set up the program. All that changes when Vader begins to take hunting Kenobi into his own robotic hands.

Spoilers ahead. Keep reading if you’ve already seen Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3. Otherwise, you might want to stop here. 

Only three episodes of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series have released on Disney+, mostly focused on Obi-Wan’s rescue mission to save a kidnapped Leia, but the latest episode ended with a vengeful Vader dragging Kenobi through fire via The Force saying it’s now Obi-Wan’s turn to suffer.

Obi-Wan is saved by a member of the Empire who is secretly operating a safe house for Jedi and those against the Empire seeking refuge, protection and escape. But, on a less hopeful note, Leia has been intercepted by Third Sister.

Though the Obi-Wan Kenobi series takes place twenty-three years after his first appearance in The Phantom Menace, we are getting more insight into Kenobi’s past before and just after being taken from his family to become a Jedi.

It would make sense that the series would dive into this part of Kenobi’s life, even if it’s just through stories and possibly flashbacks, as it’s the primary way Kenobi relates to his adventure companion Leia, aware of a family they never knew and may never know again.

What are you hoping to see in the next three episodes of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series? Let us know in the comments below!