The Mandalorian and Grogu: Who is Zeb?

One of the major characters in The Mandalorian and Grogu, and one frequently seen in the promotional material leading up to the film, is a purple alien named Zeb.

Garazeb Orrelios is a Lasat who was introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, created by Lucasfilm’s now co-President Dave Filoni (who is producer and co-writer on The Mandalorian and Grogu). Zeb was part of a rebel cell known as the Spectres, made up of Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, and Chopper, alongside Zeb. Those characters are playing a major role in the current Star Wars storytelling, in the Ahsoka series.

Zeb was a captain in the Honor Guard on his home planet of Lasan when an Imperial occupation of the planet began, and before long, the Empire had nearly eradicated the entire population. Zeb believed that his people were all gone, and because of the atrocities committed against his people he harbored a deep hatred for the Empire, wanting to fight back. He eventually came to be a part of the Spectres. This group began as a small, isolated rebel cell working jobs on Lothal, trying to strike back against the Empire and help the locals however possible. As they attracted more and more attention from the Empire, however, they also attracted more attention from other rebel cells and leadership.

The Spectres eventually joined forces with Phoenix Squadron, a larger rebel cell, and over time became pivotal, founding members of the formal Alliance to Restore the Republic – or, as they were more commonly known, the Rebel Alliance. Zeb fought in many key battles in the early years of the rebellion, and continued fighting in the Galactic Civil War – at some point becoming part of the group’s leadership, serving on the Alliance High Command.

After the war, Zeb went to Lira San, where the remnants of his people were forging a new destiny. But he obviously continued to fight, as by the time of The Mandalorian (set aproximately five years after Return of the Jedi) he was part of the New Republic Defense Fleet, training new recruits.