The NEXT Star Wars Hero is Padmé’s Handmaiden, Sabé

Warning! Spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #2 Below

Padmé’s handmaiden Sabé is becoming Star Wars‘ new hero. Introduced in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Sabé was the so-called Queen’s Shadow; a decoy queen who replaced Padmé in order to keep her safe. The part was originally going to be filled by a stand-in until casting director Robin Gurland discovered the actress Keira Knightley, who bore a striking resemblance to Natalie Portman. Lucasfilm deliberately kept Knightley’s role a secret so viewers were just as surprised as the Jedi when they learned about the Queen’s Shadow.

Sabé was largely overlooked by the old Expanded Universe, but Disney relaunched the Star Wars canon shortly after purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012. This has freed them to take a new approach, focusing on characters who previously didn’t get much of a chance to shine. Disney canon has stressed Bail Organa’s role in the Rebellion, for example, and has discussed Princess Leia’s early life in detail; Sabé appears to be benefiting as well because she’s becoming one of the lead characters in a range of tie-ins.

Sabé is a major character in E.K. Johnston’s novel Queen’s Shadow, which charts Padmé’s move from Queen of Naboo to Republic Senator. Although some of the Handmaidens moved on, Sabé continued to work for the queen, and in fact, was sent to Tatooine in an attempt to free slaves there; Padmé had been deeply affected by her encounter with the young Anakin Skywalker and sought to free his mother Shmi as well. Sabé’s mission was only partly successful; while she freed a number of slaves, she was unable to find Shmi. She continued to work for Padmé throughout the Clone Wars and was heartbroken by Padmé’s death at the end of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. She and her lover, Captain Tonra, resolved to learn the truth.

Sabé’s story is continuing in Greg Pak’s excellent Star Wars: Darth Vader series, which is set shortly after the events of The Empire Strikes Back. Here, Darth Vader has resolved to learn the truth about his children, and he is investigating Padmé’s death; that quest leads him to Sabé, who by now is working with the Rebellion. In a surprising twist, in Darth Vader #2 the two form an unlikely alliance, united in their devotion to Padmé and their desire to learn the truth. Of course, the Dark Lord of the Sith carefully conceals the fact he was the one responsible for Padmé’s death. Pak’s writing is fantastic, and his version of Sabé is already feeling like a three-dimensional character in her own right. It’s to be hoped that, like Doctor Aphra, she proves popular enough to inspire her own ongoing series.

Meanwhile, readers will no doubt learn more about Sabé in E.K. Johnston’s novel Queen’s Peril, a prequel to Queen’s Shadow due for release in June. While this will focus on Padmé, it’s sure to explore her relationship with the Handmaidens as well – and as Queen’s Shadow, Sabé is the most important among them. It really does feel as though Sabé is being turned into one of Star Wars‘ most fascinating heroes.

About The Author

Thomas Bacon
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Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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