Kelleran Beq

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"Everything's gonna be all right, kid."

―Kelleran Beq to Grogu^[4]

Kelleran Beq, nicknamed the "Sabered Hand," was a human male Jedi Master who served in the Jedi Order. He was often assisted by the protocol droid AD-3 and the astromech droid LX-R5, and served aboard the starship Athylia. In 22 BBY, Master Beq worked in the Jedi crèche, tending to the younglings of the temple. During Operation: Knightfall, Beq successfully escaped the Jedi Temple with the aid of sympathetic Royal Naboo Security Forces members, fleeing Coruscant with the youngling Grogu.

Biography[]

Training Jedi[]

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, you are now Jedi Knights."

―Kelleran Beq^[6]

Kelleran Beq was a Jedi Master who supervised Padawans as they went through their Jedi Trials. He was assisted by the protocol droid AD-3 and the astromech droid LX-R5.^[7] Beq had served aboard the starship Athylia.^[3] The Jedi Master had fond memories of his Jedi Trials and earned the nickname the "Sabered Hand" during his time as a Padawan.^[8]

Directly after the knighting ceremony that took place after the First Battle of Geonosis, Obi-Wan Kenobi instructed the newly knighted Jedi Iskat Akaris to guide the younglings back to the crèche, where they were receiving training from Beq. Upon their arrival at the crèche however, they found that Beq had still yet to arrive, thereby leading Akaris to lead their training for a certain amount of time until Beq finally arrived to take over from Akaris.^[9]

Great Jedi Purge[]

Kelleran Beq speeder bike chase — Kelleran Beq helps Grogu escape from the Jedi Temple during the Great Jedi Purge.

During Operation: Knightfall of the Great Jedi Purge, Beq waited for the youngling Grogu,^[4] who was one of his students,^[5] to arrive in an elevator. As the elevator door opened, Beq with his lightsaber already ignited told Grogu that he was there to save the youngling. Beq picked up another lightsaber from another fallen Jedi and used it to his advantage as he protected Grogu. They were quickly ambushed by several clone troopers of the 501st Legion but the Jedi Master managed to deflect the oncoming blaster fire and Force pushed a clone trooper off the edge of the temple. As more reinforcements arrived, Beq and Grogu rushed to a BARC speeder and fled the Jedi Temple.^[4]

While in the skies of Coruscant, Beq and Grogu were chased by several Republic LAAT/i gunships. Beq warned Grogu that it was going to be rough after one of the the gunships managed to hit the engine of the speeder. Trying to flee the gunships, Beq flew inside a hovertrain tunnel, though a hovertrain soon approached the two going from the opposite direction of the tunnel. Beq made a turn to avoid collision while the train crashed into a pursuing gunship and flew into a station which led to Monument Plaza. As they continued to fly off, Beq told Grogu to not worry and that they were going to meet some of his friends before adding that it was going to be a bumpy landing. They reached the platform, but Beq fell off the speeder as they landed. The Jedi Master then got back up and opened the hovering pram to check if Grogu was alright.^[4]

Kelleran Beq and Grogu entering hyperspace — Kelleran Beq and Grogu jump into hyperspace as they flee from Coruscant.

Beq was then greeted by the sympathetic Royal Naboo Security Forces aboard a small Naboo yacht. One of the guards asked about the other Jedi to which Beq responded there were no others left. Their conversation was cut short as a gunship landed on the platform and both clone troopers and clone shock troopers started to move out and shoot. The guard told Beq to take the ship and that it was fueled and ready to go, while the guards of the Royal Naboo Security Forces bought some time for their escape. Beq and Grogu entered the yacht and the Jedi Master quickly started the ship. Two V-wing starfighters soon approached them from the sky and started to shoot as Beq took off from the platform. As they left Coruscant and entered space, Beq immediately jumped into hyperspace.^[4]

Personality and traits[]

Kelleran Beq was a human male with dark skin and black hair.^[7] According to AD-3, Beq was "halfway through his lifespan."^[10] While Beq was on friendly terms with his servant droid AD-3, the latter was envious of his Force powers since she lacked them as a droid.^[11] AD-3 repeatedly teased Beq about him using his Force powers to close doors and lift rocks.^[12]^[13] Beq was devoted to his student Grogu and his survival.^[5]

Powers and abilities[]

KelleranBeq-SWCT — Jedi Master Kelleran Beq wielding his green lightsaber.

Beq was a highly skilled Jedi^[2] Master.^[7] His skills with lightsabers earned him the nickname "Sabered Hand."^[8] Beq had the habit of reminding AD-3 about his nickname, much to her annoyance.^[13] Beq was proficient at Jar'Kai, being able to wield two lightsabers at once, notably doing so during the siege of the Jedi Temple.^[4]

As a Jedi, Beq was able to use the Force, which he used to levitate rocks.^[7] He also used the Force to fling a clone trooper off a ledge while protecting Grogu.^[4] Beq could also communicate with the Force.^[14]

Equipment[]

Kelleran Beq owned a green-bladed lightsaber, which he used to defend himself and Grogu against the Clone troopers of the 501st Legion.^[4]

Behind the scenes[]

Jedi Temple Challenge[]

"I think what's the most important about the representation of someone like Kelleran Beq as far as being a person of color and the leader of this Temple—kind of like the Dean of Jedi—is it breaks down what's possible. It breaks down what you can do, and creates just a brand new world of possibilities out there."

―Ahmed Best describing his character Kelleran Beq^[15]

KelleranBeq-ABig — Kelleran Beq in *Jedi Temple Challenge*.

Kelleran Beq is a character created for Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge. He is portrayed by Ahmed Best, who also portrayed Jar Jar Binks. In an interview with Anthony Carboni on The Star Wars Show, Best stated that the showrunners Steve Blank and Scott Bromley, and executive producers Christine Beebe and Mickey Capoferri, had given him considerable flexibility in developing Kelleran Beq's histories, mannerisms, and even lightsaber color. Best confirmed that Beq was related to Achk Med-Beq, whom he had portrayed in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, though no canonical source has confirmed the relation.^[3]

Best also revealed his character's nickname of the "Sabered Hand" ahead of its mention in the series,^[16] though this would be referred to in-universe with "the" uncapitalised.^[6] During an interview with Kristin Baver, Best confirmed that Beq's purple lightsaber color was an intended homage to Jedi Master Mace Windu.^[15] Upon appearing in The Mandalorian's "Chapter 20: The Foundling," however, Beq's lightsaber sported a green blade.^[4] He also stated that other aspects of Beq's character were inspired by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and the Shaolin monks from Best's childhood favorite kung fu movies. Best described Beq as the first Jedi dedicated to teaching, adding that he had been inspired by Kenobi and Yoda's nurturing kind of mentorship.^[15]

Best posted on Twitter that the pieces of Beq's lightsaber are pieces that are available to everyone at Savi's Workshop and said that his philosophy when it comes to teaching is that all types of learning should be accessible to everyone, even lightsaber learning. Best has said that at Kelleran Beq's core he is a teacher and that part of the rationale behind this was his desire for Beq to be relatable to the audience rather than apart from them.^[17]

The return in The Mandalorian[]

"I mean, I was excited. I don't think people really understand how much I care about Star Wars. Like, I really care. I really, really care about the storytelling, about the mythology, about the fans. I really want Star Wars to deliver, and if I become an obstacle to that, then I shouldn't be in it. I don't want to be bigger than the story. I don't want to be bigger than the mythology. I want to contribute, I want to add to it. So it took me a minute."

―Ahmed Best on Kelleran Beq's return^[5]

Kelleran Beq MandoS3 — Kelleran Beq's updated look in *The Mandalorian*.

An interview with the StarWars.com Team revealed that Best took some consideration when he was asked to reprise his role as the Jedi Master because of his harsh past with the franchise. Best stated that he was excited, but it was not something that he could immediately give an answer to. However, the support by the show's creator Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni convinced him to come back.^[5]

Similarly, just like on Jedi Temple Challenge, Best was a creative partner in developing Kelleran Beq for The Mandalorian. He worked closely with costume designer Shawna Trpcic, they incorporated elements such as Best's tribal tattoos and Afrofuturism symbols into the outfit's gold detailing. In addition, Best developed his own view and understanding on what the Force is for Kelleran Beq, and also developed a unique fighting technique inspired by Bruce Lee and "the style of the unknown." Building on the backstory he had created for Kelleran Beq in Jedi Temple Challenge, Best viewed the Jedi Master as a celebration of teaching.^[5]

Kelleran Beq was introduced as a playable character of the same name in the 2015 mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes in 2023, which features characters and ships from both the canon and Legends continuities.^[18]