The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian is a groundbreaking Star Wars TV series that premiered on Disney+ on November 12, 2019.
Minor spoilers ahead
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Lucasfilm/Youtini Illustration
At a Glance
The Mandalorian’s third season ended in March 2023, and while a fourth season was rumored, it’s now speculated that the story will continue in the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu film, set for release on May 22, 2026.
Key Facts
Release Date: Nov 12, 2019
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 24
Creator: Jon Favreau
Where to Watch: Disney+
When: 5 years after Return of the Jedi
Recent Coverage
What is The Mandalorian?
The Mandalorian is the first live action television show in the history of Star Wars and requires no previous viewing in order to understand. Set in the aftermath of The Original Trilogy in 9ABY, the show follows Din Djarin, a Mandalorian bounty hunter, as he attempts to make his way in the galaxy. Along his travels, he discovers secrets about his past, meets allies and enemies alike, and perhaps most importantly, encounters a youngling named Grogu. The pair form an instantaneous bond, and Djarin takes the child along on his many adventures. The show was a smash hit for Disney+ thanks to its blend of action and emotional storytelling, and Grogu (originally named The Child or “Baby Yoda”) became one of the most popular characters in the franchise.
Will The Mandalorian Have a Season 4?
According to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, The Mandalorian Season 4 is not happening. Instead, Disney is shifting its focus to a feature-length Mandalorian and Grogu movie. This decision replaces the originally planned fourth season of the series.
The report also raises questions about the future of the characters, suggesting the movie could either serve as a conclusion for Din Djarin and Grogu or set the stage for future stories. While no official announcements have been made about whether the series could continue with a fifth season or explore other Mandalorian characters, it seems Pedro Pascal’s busy schedule and Disney’s evolving Star Wars strategy played a role in the change.
About The Mandalorian
Jon Favreau
Disney+
TV-14
Action-adventure, Space Western
33-59 minutes
3
24
Ludwig Göransson
5 years after Return of the Jedi
Cast
When Does The Mandalorian Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
The Mandalorian is set in the Star Wars timeline approximately nine years after the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and before the rise of the First Order, making it part of the era known as the New Republic period.
Reviews
Youtini Team & Community Reviews
Story and Characters
The Mandalorian introduces us to a mysterious bounty hunter known only as “Mando” who is eventually revealed to be Din Djarin. Mando lives by a strict Mandalorian code that he has followed since he was young, and he is more than happy to make his living taking contracts and abiding by his beliefs until a particular job brings him face-to-face with “The Child”, a target who changes his life forever.
The show follows their journey as the pair form an unlikely bond, leading Djarin to question not only his beliefs about his profession, but about his entire history and that of his people. Meanwhile, the remnant of the Empire attempts to maintain control in whatever ways they possibly can, occasionally causing trouble for Mando, Grogu, and their growing faction of allies.
A classic Western tale that takes heavy inspiration from Lone Wolf and Cub, The Mandalorian shows just how far a man will go when his destiny turns out to be far different than he ever imagined.
Din Djarin (The Mandalorian)
Arc
A lone bounty hunter who cares about nothing but the job and his creed becomes an adoptive father figure who places the safety of his friends above all.
Significance
The main protagonist of the show, Din Djarin’s personal journey sets the tone for the entirety of the series.
Grogu (The Child)
Arc
Beginning simply as a target for one of Mando’s jobs, Grogu slowly reveals his powerful Force sensitivity, his unfailing loyalty towards Djarin, and a secret past that connects him with the Jedi of old.
Significance
Grogu’s influence on Mando changes the entire trajectory of the bounty hunter’s life, and as the show goes on, he further connects Djarin to other parts of the larger Star Wars galaxy.
Cara Dune
Arc
An Alderaanian shock trooper by trade, Dune meets Mando and is almost instantly recruited to join his team as a bit of muscle before vacating the team to become a Marshal of the New Republic.
Significance
Dune arrives as one of Djarin’s first allies, allowing him to begin opening up to the possibility of having friends he can trust.
Greef Karga
Arc
Once a pragmatic leader of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild with questionable loyalty, Greef Karga evolves into a more honorable and trustworthy ally to Din Djarin, eventually becoming a key leader on Nevarro and working to legitimize his power.
Significance
Greef Karga starts as an ambiguous figure but becomes a pivotal ally throughout the series. His transformation from a guild leader to a community leader highlights the impact of Din’s influence and the larger shift toward rebuilding a fractured galaxy.
Moff Gideon
Arc
A ruthless former Imperial officer, Moff Gideon is obsessed with restoring the Empire’s control and capturing Grogu for his mysterious experiments. His unrelenting pursuit of power places him in direct conflict with Din Djarin and his allies.
Significance
As the primary antagonist of the series, Moff Gideon embodies the lingering threat of the Empire and serves as the catalyst for many of the show’s key conflicts. His quest for Grogu’s power drives the central narrative across all three seasons.
Bo-Katan Kryze
Arc
A warrior princess of Mandalore, Bo-Katan is determined to reclaim the Darksaber and reunite her people. Initially driven by personal ambition, she learns the importance of uniting Mandalorians under a common cause rather than ruling through power alone.
Significance
Bo-Katan represents the fractured state of Mandalore and the long-standing tensions within its culture. Her journey reflects the theme of leadership and the struggle for Mandalorian identity, making her an essential part of the series’ exploration of the Mandalorian legacy.
Key Episodes
Chapter 1: The Mandalorian
Introduction to The Mandalorian character and the tone of the show. This episode sets the stage for the entirety of the series and gives our first look at Grogu, who in this episode is simply called “The Child.”
Chapter 3: The Sin
The Mandalorian makes a choice concerning The Child that redefines his entire journey in the show and solidifies their relationship. Directed by Deborah Chow, the episode also features some of the most intense fight scenes in the first season.
Chapter 8: Redemption
Chapter 13: The Jedi
The live action debut of Ahsoka Tano brings Dave Filoni’s journey with the character full circle as she assists Din Djarin on his overall quest and even gives Grogu his name.
Chapter 16: The Rescue
Considered by many the best episode of the series, the second season’s finale brings together all of The Mandalorian’s allies together for an intensely personal mission. The thrilling action culminates in one of the most satisfying and exhilarating cameo appearances in the history of the franchise.
Design
The Mandalorian’s design is rooted in George Lucas’s love of Westerns. From the opening shots of the pilot episode, everything from the colors of the set pieces to the worn down aesthetic of the costumes evoke a classic sense of the Hollywood Western seen in films like The Magnificent Seven, High Noon, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. These visual markers lead into the general vibe of the show which emphasize the rugged nature of the protagonist mixed with a classic hero narrative as he explores a variety of planets filled with different biomes, creatures, and people. These factors all combine to give The Mandalorian an incredible sense of visual variety that is all knitted together through tropes embraced by Lucas, himself.
Technology and Effects
Special effects
Star Wars has always pushed filmmaking technology forwarded with its projects, and The Mandalorian is no different with its introduction of “The Volume.”
The Volume was originally created through a collaboration with ILM and Disney, and it has transformed how The Mandalorian and other productions create immersive environments. The cylindrical LED wall allows real-time generation of realistic backgrounds which reduces the need for green screens and extensive CGI. Partnering with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, ILM enabled 3D environments to react to camera movements, enhancing realism and efficiency. This innovation not only speeds up production but also allows actors to have a better sense of the fantastical environments in which they are working, making it a game-changer in the industry.
Behind the Scenes
The Mandalorian continuously reinforces the importance of collaboration both on and offscreen, and that is no more evident than with its main character. The role of Din Djarin comes to life through a combination of Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, and Lateef Crowder, each bringing different aspects of the character to life. As the seasons have gone on, Pascal has reduced his physical role and currently provides the voice of the character, while Wayne and Crowder handle the more physically demanding scenes. This teamwork not only alleviates the physical strain on Pascal, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but also ensures a consistent and seamless portrayal of the character the more that the three actors work together. Despite not always being in the suit, Pascal remains deeply involved in shaping Din Djarin and is considered the main actor for the role.
Related TV Shows & Films
The Book of Boba Fett
An official spin-off starring Boba Fett and Fennec Shand following their appearances in Season 2. This show also features the continuation of Grogu’s story which contains important information for The Mandalorian’s third season.
Ahsoka
Set after Ahsoka’s appearance in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, this show follows the titular character in her search for Grand Admiral Thrawn. In addition to story elements from The Mandalorian, this show features many references to Rebels.
The Mandalorian & Grogu
The upcoming film will continue the story of The Mandalorian after the Season 3 finale. It is currently set to release in May of 2026.
Books & Comics Related to The Mandalorian
Awards & Recognition
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Drama Series
2020, 2021
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Giancarlo Esposito, Chapter 16: The Rescue
2021
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, Jon Favrea, Chapter 9: The Marshal
2021
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Jon Favreau, Chapter 16: The Rescue
2021
Screen Actors Guild Awards Winner
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
2021
Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominee
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
2024
Top Critics
“This is a visually stunning, consistently entertaining space-spaghetti-Western serial.”
- Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
“We're in an age of TV where so much money can be thrown around and it doesn't work. This is throwing a lot of money at something and it does.”
- Scott Bryan, BBC.com
“One of my prescriptions for great TV is simple: Show, don't tell. And there are way too many moments where The Mandalorian has a character telling audiences something it would have been more exciting to show us…”
- Eric Deggans, NPR
“This is a polished production that shows off every cent of its feature film budget on every frame of its run time. This isn't a "made-for-TV Star Wars, " it's a Star Wars that happens to be on TV, or streaming, as it were.”
- Zaki Hasan, San Francisco Chronicle
