Spoilers for Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 4 below.

We have followed along Grogu's journey in The Mandalorian for two and a half seasons plus change if you count The Book of Boba Fett. It's been a fun ride watching his Lone Wolf and Cub exploits with father figure Din Djarin. Though we've seen much of what the Child has gone through on the series, his past still remains mostly a mystery.

It isn't until 'Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger' of The Book of Boba Fett that we catch a glimpse of Grogu's backstory. While training to be a Jedi, Master Luke Skywalker helps him remember his time on Coruscant during the execution of Order 66. We see the horrors he experienced as the clone army turned against the Jedi and gunned them down in cold blood.

More recently in 'Chapter 20: The Foundling' from season three of The Mandalorian, we learn how Grogu survived and escaped from the Jedi Temple. In a parallel to the previous flashback, he is now training to become a Mandalorian. While the Armorer forges a plate with the signet of Clan Mudhorn, the flames and sparks trigger memories of the Great Jedi Purge.

Here we learn that the Jedi Kelleran Beq aids in the death-defying escape and flies Grogu off of Coruscant. This isn't the first time we've seen the Jedi Master, not to mention the actor who plays him. Let's dive into the history of Kelleran Beq to learn more about our little protagonist's savior.

Who is Kelleran Beq?

Kelleran Beq is a human male Jedi Master who was a member of the Jedi Order. He primarily focused on shaping the next generation of Jedi and oversaw several aspects of their training. This included being stationed on the Pelta-class frigate the Athylia where he tested students' wisdom.

The Jedi Master made his first appearance on the web-based children's game show Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge. He was the host of the series where young contestants assumed the roles of Jedi Padawans. They then competed in a series of trials and obstacle that tested the three core Jedi principles: strength, knowledge, and bravery. The end goal was to earn an opportunity to become a Jedi Knight. Throughout the competitions, Beq also served as a mentor guiding each Padawan while also providing emotional support.

Like other Jedi, Beq is highly skilled with a lightsaber able to deflect blaster fire, and is proficient in wielding two of them simultaneously. Due to his aptitude in Jar'Kai and his overall ability, he received the nickname "Sabered Hand." Though his people are more known for their humility, Beq never hesitated to remind people of his moniker. In addition, he is in tune with the force and has telekinetic powers strong enough to shove a man off a building.

When Grogu has his flashback in season three of The Mandalorian, we see Beq plays a significant part in coordinating the evacuation and retreat from the Jedi Temple. As several Jedi protect the Child from a clone trooper assault, one of them name checks Kelleran and exclaims how they need to transport Grogu to him via the elevator. These Jedi fall in battle, but at least the little guy reaches his intended target.

Who are Kelleran Beq's allies?

During Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, Kelleran Beq is always joined by the droids LX-R5 and AD-3. The former is an astromech droid who served as comic relief. AD-3 is a protocol droid and close colleague to Beq. She provides a more grounded influence and perspective since she isn't as easily impressed by the ways of the Jedi and the Force. The Jedi master also sees her more as an equal than a servant since she isn't afraid to share her true feelings.

Beq also has close ties with the planet of Naboo. Though primarily trained to protect people of influence such as royalty and senators, Royal Naboo Security forces aid in the escape from Coruscant in 'Chapter 20: The Foundling' of The Mandalorian. They rendezvous with Beq and Grogu on a platform and are disappointed to only find one youngling. Regardless, they provide a fully fueled ship, and sacrifice themselves to the clone troopers in hot pursuit so the pair can flee.

Who plays Kelleran Beq?

Actor Ahmed Best portrays Kelleran Beq, but he is no rookie to the Star Wars Universe. He was cast in the Star Wars Prequel trilogy first appearing in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace as Jar Jar Binks, the clumsy Gungan outcast who crosses paths with the Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. In addition to voicing the character, his previous experience as a cast member in Stomp made him ideal to perform the motion capture since it required flexible and athletic movement. He would reprise the role in the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars as well as in the Star Wars themed episodes of the comedy Robot Chicken.

Best even had a small cameo in Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones, where you could actually see his face. He played Achk Med-Beq, a background character in the Outlander Club scene on Coruscant. He is conversing with two Twi'leks when Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are stalked by the changeling assassin Zam Wesell. (Fun note, Anthony Daniels, best known for playing C-3P0, had a cameo in the same scene which was the first time his actual face was visible in the Star Wars Universe. His character Dannl Faytonni was a close associate of Med-Beq). Best is on record stating that Achk Med-Beq and Kelleran Beq are related but there is no canonical confirmation of this statement.

Outside of Star Wars, Best has kept himself busy finding work in television on series such as Alias, Law and Order: LA, and Big Time Rush. He has also done plenty of voiceover work in video games for titles including The Last of Us Part II, Fallout 76, and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.

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