Acolyte: Charlie Barnett reveals new information for the Yord Horde

The backstory of new characters is always a subject of interest in Star Wars, whether in TV, film, or print. Fascination with Charlie Barnett's Yord Fandar in Star Wars: The Acolyte certainly was fed by both his personality and the rise of fans who call themselves the "Yord Horde." This is the person so dedicated to protocol that he bowed shirtless to a Jedi master. He was empathetic to Osha's long grief over the loss of her sister. He was a fierce warrior when it came to battle.

And now according to an interview on TikTok, we know that he shares a homeworld with Princess Leia. The actor described the process of elimination:

"I started going off until, like, the planets that I felt like I could be from initially, and I picked some really obscure, weird ones. Like, what is Leslye going to say about this? I'm like, 'I'm not just going to be from Alderaan.' Let it be known: I chose Alderaan eventually."

- Charlie Barnett

The world is an interesting choice for this Jedi. Alderaan's destruction was a turning point in the war against the Empire, and many characters, from X-wing pilot Tycho Celchu to shock trooper Cara Dune, are part of the Alderaanian Remnant in the wider universe. Its last princess, Leia Organa, said, "Alderaan is peaceful. We have no weapons." Imperial Lord Tion from the NPR Star Wars Radio Dramas observed, "How can one not enjoy a planet where peace and beauty are a common preoccupation?"

Alderaan is a Core World with a long and rich history, and it was a joy to see it recently explored in greater detail in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. One hundred years before the events of the original trilogy, we see Yord as someone who is committed to justice and keeping the peace but in a slightly unconventional way. He brings to mind Alderaanians Leia Organa and Carlist Rieekan, both of whom take action after consideration and evaluation.

As Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com comments, there is another quirk to this Knight's character that is familiar:

"Yord also has some sass to him, which is a trait often associated with Alderaans most famous former resident, Princess Leia. Upon further reflection, Leia and Yord would probably have a great sibling-type dynamic if they had lived in the same era."

- Jamie Jirak

It may be that Barnett is "Yording it," and a sense of humor isn't issued with an Alderaanian birth certificate, but he has the civilized air that is familiar in both Jedi appearances and Alderaanian characterizations. His association with the peaceful planet is curious since he is the first of The Acolyte characters to use a mind trick and draw his saber on Osha, but that may just be a function of his intuitive nature.

The Yord Horde is unlikely to see their favorite return to the series, but we can certainly hope to see him represented in other media.