Star Wars Rebels is a huge part of the Star Wars saga. It explores the early days of the Rebel Alliance and how different small cells in the galaxy come together to become the Rebellion that would bring the Empire to its knees. The members of the Phoenix Squadron are a huge part of the early Rebellion. They freed Lothal, fought in essential battles, and continued to work to rebuild the galaxy after the war was over. With Ahsoka premiering in August, Star Wars Rebels is taking on a new level of importance within the lore.
The main cast of Star Wars Rebels is the crew of the Ghost. Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren, Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios, Ezra Bridger, and Chopper. They are freedom fighters -- a family and the backbone of the early Rebels. Ezra joins the crew when they are little more than Robin Hood-type figures. They steal from the Empire to help the desperate people of Lothal. Over time their purpose expands, allowing them to work with Bail Organa and Ahsoka to help bring together Rebel cells from all over the galaxy. Hera is an essential leader of the Rebel fleet and Kanan and Ezra bring the light of the Jedi back to the galaxy.
Hera Syndulla Is the Leader the Rebels Need
Played by Vanessa Marshall in animation and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in live action, Hera is the daughter of the famous freedom fighter Cham Syndulla of Ryloth. Cham fought against Separatists' control during the Clone Wars, then he continued the fight when the Empire arose. Hera grows up in this environment, so she's known war since she was very young. She understands the fight for freedom and how powerful the will of the people can be. Hera eventually connects with Kanan and helps to bring him back to the light side of the Force. From there, they begin their fight against the Empire. Their crew and family continue to grow, with Chopper, Sabine and Zeb all ready to fight the Empire.
Hera fights throughout the entire Rebellion. She is the leader of Phoenix Squad, bringing the B-Wings to the Rebels and helping to free Ryloth. After the war is over, she continues her service to the New Republic. She also becomes a mother to Jacen, her and Kanan's son. Hera suffers many losses to the Empire, but she fights hard for freedom nevertheless. It makes sense that she would join with Sabine and Ahsoka to bring back Ezra and finish the Imperial threat.
Kanan Jarrus a.k.a Caleb Dume, Jedi Knight
Played by Freddie Prinze Jr., Kanan Jarrus is training as a Jedi Knight before Order 66 -- still an apprentice known as Caleb Dume, he only survives the Purge because of quick action from his Master and the mercy of the Bad Batch. He goes into hiding for many years until he meets Hera. She helps him to recover a piece of who he used to be. When Ezra comes along, Kanan senses his power but is hesitant to train him. Kanan is unsure of himself and his ability to train a new Jedi while not being a Knight himself.
This would change later when Kanan would be knighted by the Force in the Jedi Temple on Lothal. He and Ezra make a stunning master and apprentice duo. They understand each other, and they both know that having a family isn't a weakness but a strength. Ezra would ultimately be inspired by Kanan's last act. As the crew escapes an Imperial facility, Kanan puts himself between an explosion and his crew. He holds back the blast long enough to see his family escape before he dies. Ezra would make a similar sacrifice later against Thrawn. Without Kanan's death, Ezra may not have had the inspiration he needed to call upon the Purrgil or the will to choose to never see his family again.
Chopper Is a Menacing Force for Good
Voiced by Dave Filoni, Chopper is the Ghost Crew's trusty droid and so much more. He is the annoying younger sibling and the bully all at once. He torments everyone, but when push comes to shove, he is always there when they need him. Hera first finds Chopper on a downed Y-Wing during the Clone Wars. She rescues him and takes care of him, gaining a friend for life at the same time. Chopper fights with her and the crew through thick and thin. He will likely still join Hera as she goes on a new adventure with Ahsoka. He may even help her with taking care of Jacen, who is no doubt a handful.
Sabine Wren Is a Ruler of Mandalore
Played by Tiya Sircar in animation and Natasha Liu Bordizzo in live-action, Sabine Wren of House Vizsla has a difficult path joining the Ghost Crew. She was enrolled at the Imperial Academy, but that is where her trouble starts. She is tricked into building a weapon that could kill her own people, even if they had Beskar on. She is disgraced in her home world and flees, falling in with the Ghost Crew. She becomes their resident weapons expert and tactician. Sabine could get caught up in her own emotions, but she is loyal to a fault.
Through one of their missions, Sabine becomes in control of the Darksaber, making her the ruler of Mandalore. She returns to her home world and helps to destroy the Imperial presence and her own invention. When she has the decision to stay and rule, she chooses to pass on the saber to Bo-Katan Kryze. Now that the war is over, it's likely she feels obligated to save Ezra, and she wants to bring her family back together.
Zeb Is the Heart of the Team
Played by Steve Blume in live-action, Zeb may look tough and intimidating on the outside, but he has the biggest heart of the whole squad. Once he warms up to Ezra, he plays a mentorship role and becomes a brother to him. He guides everyone through his experience of combat and leadership. He fights on his planet as his people are killed by the Empire. He also spends years believing he is one of the few remaining members of his species. Then he discovers a new world full of his people. After the war ends, he begins guiding people to this new world. He then decides to get back into the fight and serves with the New Republic Rangers during the events of The Mandalorian.
Ezra Bridger Holds The Entire Team Together
Played by Taylor Gray in animation and Eman Esfandi in live action, Ezra joins the team late, but it isn't until he comes along that they truly feel complete. Orphaned by the Empire, Ezra's family has a history of standing up for what is right. Kanan immediately identifies him as Force-sensitive and takes Ezra under his wing. The two have a rocky start but soon become as close as any master and apprentice. Ezra briefly falls under the spell of the dark side after receiving some training from Maul and getting exposed to a Sith Holocron. Yet, he finds his way back to the Light.
Ezra takes Kanan's death incredibly hard. He was tempted to save his life in the World Between Worlds, but Ahsoka stops him, pointing out how that would affect the timeline. Later, in the final showdown with Thrawn, Ezra uses the Purrgil to send him and Thrawn to the far reaches of the galaxy. Since that moment, Ezra has been lost. It is unknown how he survives or if he has fallen to the dark side again. It's clear that Ahsoka, Sabine and Hera are determined to find their missing family member and bring him home.
Ahsoka begins streaming on Disney+ on August 23, 2023.