Ian McDiarmid addresses the possibility of his Sith Lord Sidious, AKA Emperor Palpatine, appearing in Star Wars shows like Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. McDiarmid
first appeared as Sheev Palpatine in 1983’s Return of the Jedi (before being included in The Empire Strikes Back’s 2004 DVD rerelease).
While in George Lucas’ original trilogy, Sidious is known as Darth Vader’s master and Emperor of the Galactic Empire, the prequels reintroduce him as Palpatine,
a charismatic politician who is the Sith Lord in secret. McDiarmid reprised his role in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, cementing himself as the saga’s overarching villain.
Disney/Lucasfilm’s latest live-action Star Wars series takes place ten years after Palpatine manipulated Anakin Skywalker into turning to the dark side in 2005's Revenge of the Sith.
Given the period, many have wondered whether Emperor Palpatine—the person who likely dispatches Vader and the Inquisitors—will make an appearance in the series as well.
It seems safe to say the Emperor will be mentioned or, at most, appear by hologram in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although Palpatine likely won’t be seen in the flesh in the series
His looming presence alone may prove more effective when Obi-Wan Kenobi drops its first two episodes this Friday.