Sheev Palpatine was the mastermind behind the Galactic Republic’s demise, but he wasn’t the only Sith who helped bring darkness to the galaxy far, far away. The evil lords who came before him laid the foundation for his empire. Now Lucasfilm is introducing us to those who helped their sinister order return to power. And the first trailer for Disney+’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte offers a tantalizing glimpse at the Sith who rose up against their ancient foes the Jedi.

The Acolyte comes from creator Leslye Headland (Russian Doll). She also serves as showrunner on the series, which marks the live-action debut of Star Wars‘ High Republic era. The Acolyte and its trailer take place a century prior to the events of The Phantom Menace. That was an age of light when the Jedi truly were guardians of peace. But that’s also when a war the Order was not prepared for began. It’s when darkness began its march towards power.

In addition to The Acolyte‘s first trailer, Lucasfilm also released an official synopsis for the series:

In Star Wars: The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems…

A woman in a purple robe stands near water in The Acolyte trailer still, The Acolyte is a new Star Wars series.
Lucasfilm

The show also stars Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The new Star Wars series makes its sinister debut on Disney+ this summer on June 4. The Acolyte‘s trailer also reveals that the show will premiere with its first two episodes, which Headland also directed. Kogonada (episodes 3 and 7), Alex Garcia Lopez (episodes 4 and 5). and Hanelle Culpepper (episodes 6 and 8) round out the series’ directors. And composer Michael Abels (Get Out, Us) provides the score for The Acolyte.

The Sith, as always, will provide the darkness.