The best opportunity for a new Star Wars show was already introduced years ago: Qi’ra from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Star Wars shows have explored many times and places across the galaxy, but the best idea for a new live-action show was already introduced five years ago. Recent Disney + shows have explored areas of the galaxy far, far away that many movies in the franchise have neglected. While the timeline of the Star Wars movies follows the Skywalker saga and the most prominent Jedi in it, the shows have begun to explore important characters outside the Skywalker lineage.

New Star Wars shows have diversified their main characters beyond major Jedi and their closest friends. While finding out more information about the Jedi who survived Order 66 adds a lot to the story, the galaxy went far beyond the Jedi. Ahsoka showcased Force-users outside the Jedi Order, while shows like Andor and The Mandalorian featured main characters who weren’t Force sensitive at all. Even with all the new avenues the shows have explored, they still focus on the non-Jedi heroes of the galaxy. An exciting new path for a future show was already set up years ago, in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Star Wars Hasn’t Revealed Any New Live-Action TV Shows

The last announcement of new live-action Star Wars TV shows came from Lucasfilm in 2022. Since then, only shows that had already been announced have been produced and released. While some of the originally announced Star Wars shows are still set to release in 2024, like Skeleton Crew and The Acolyte, they seem to be the last planned additions to the Disney + catalog for a while. While this could mean that Lucasfilm and Disney are diverting their attention away from TV shows, nearly completing the list of announced shows could also open up possibilities for new original shows to be announced in the future.

Qi’ra’s Cliffhanger In Solo Could Make The Perfect Star Wars Show

If new avenues are to be explored in an episodic format, Lucasfilm has already set up the perfect part of the galaxy to show: the criminal underworld. By following fan-favorite character Qi’ra from Solo: A Star Wars Story, the franchise could not only explore the less-than-legal side of life in the galaxy, they could also deliver on the cliffhanger she was left on in Solo. At the end of the movie, she chose the Crimson Dawn over her past romantic interest Han Solo, and it was revealed that she would be working for Darth Maul. Giving Qi’ra her own show would finally resolve a 5 year-long cliffhanger while bringing two of the most popular Star Wars characters ever back to live-action.

Her story would not be lacking any interesting paths to follow, either. Qi’ra had a long history of notorious actions in Star Wars comic books that the show could draw on, from stealing and auctioning off Han to dueling Darth Vader. A show following her, Maul, and the Crimson Dawn’s criminal exploits could go in any of a hundred directions while breaking into a grittier side of Star Wars than any other show has portrayed before.

It’s About Time Star Wars Focuses On The Criminal Underworld

The criminal underworld has always played a part in Star Wars. From the Hutt Cartel that terrorized Han and the rest of the Rebel Alliance to the slavers of Zygerria, illicit activity has always given the heroes something to fight against. Though illegal operations are a crucial part of the galaxy, they aren’t explored as much as they could be. Crime was a central part of life in every era of Star Wars, and such an important part of the galaxy far, far away deserves a dedicated series.

Years ago, George Lucas had plans for Star Wars: Underworld, a show that would have explored the criminal element of the galaxy. Focusing a new show on Qi’ra would fulfill those abandoned plans while fleshing out what the series hoped to achieve. The criminal side of the galaxy could be a vehicle to tell some of the most compelling stories Star Wars has ever seen. She and the Crimson Dawn could tell a dynamic tale: one that covers both the most consequential events in the criminal world and the effects they had on regular citizens of the galaxy.

The future of Star Wars live-action TV shows is uncertain, but the franchise has already set up the perfect topic and character to focus a new installment on. By focusing on Qi’ra and the criminal underworld, Lucasfilm could create an incredibly compelling story that explores the grittier, more mature side of the galaxy. This would also breathe fresh air into the franchise’s shows and bring back well-established and beloved characters.