The Mandalorian Season 3 continued to impress Star Wars fans with Episode 4 on Disney Plus, introducing the actor Ahmed Best as Kelleran Beq to the show, a Jedi who saved Grogu from deadly Imperial Stormtroopers. All of this was shown in a flashback while Grogu was learning the ways of the Mandalorian Armorer, but who is Kelleran Beq, and where might you have seen him before?
Who is Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 4?
Kelleran Beq is a Jedi Master played by Ahmed Best who served in the Jedi Order, and earned the nickname “The Sabered Hand,” thanks to his quick skill and cunning with a lightsaber. He first appeared in the children’s game show series Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, and has now joined Star Wars canon officially after appearing in a flashback sequence during Episode 4 of The Mandalorian Season 3.
Beq had a close and friendly relationship with his servant droid AD-3, often teasing the latter who was envious of his Force powers, but we didn’t see the two together in this episode of the series.
Best has previously stated that Kelleran is related to the character Achk Med-Beq, who he played in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. While this hasn’t been confirmed canonically, it does seem likely given they share a surname. He also explained (via StarWars.com) that Beq was “the first Jedi that we’ve seen that is dedicated to just teaching,” and because of this, he “wanted to pay homage to some Jedi of the past,” such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda.
Best is also known for his performance as the Gungan Jar Jar Binks, a controversial role that has raised a few eyebrows since its conception. It is unlikely that this is a role he will be reprising any time soon, but it is possible we will see him against as Beq, as The Mandalorian Season 3 continues.
