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Jar Jar Binks actor 'grateful' for Star Wars return in The Mandalorian

The actor has stepped into a different role in the Star Wars mythos.

Ahmed Best as Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian.

Disney/YouTube

Published: Thursday, 23 March 2023 at 11:23 am

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Ahmed Best has said he is grateful for his surprise return to Star Wars in this week's episode of The Mandalorian.

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The actor is best known for portraying Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy, but the hapless Gungan proved not to be the breakout role that would initially have been expected.

General audiences had a visceral reaction to the character, with Best later revealing that the hateful remarks made against him personally continue to affect his career and once led him to consider suicide (via The Guardian).

Fortunately, in a new Instagram post, he shows himself to be in a healthier place and once again excited to be part of the Star Wars family – now in the role of Jedi Kelleran Beq.

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The photo, which sees Best donning a Phantom Menace cap and Star Wars T-shirt while at the gym, is captioned: "Gratitude! Good to be back. There is so much to say and share. It’s going to take a couple of days.

"But, for now, I’ll just say thank you to all that have held me up and made me better."

The Mandalorian's latest episode reveals that Kelleran Beq played a crucial role in saving pint-sized Grogu from the Jedi Temple during the cataclysmic events of Order 66.

Read more:

Previously, Best had portrayed Beq in a children's game show titled Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, but this is the character's first appearance in the official canon of the long-running franchise.

The actor has returned periodically to Star Wars in the years since the prequel trilogy wrapped up, voicing Jar Jar Binks in several episodes of The Clone Wars as well as other animated projects.

The Mandalorian is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus now for £79.90 for a year or £7.99 a month.

Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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