Who is Hera Syndulla? The Rebellion’s Best Pilot Explained

Hera Syndulla, the best pilot in the Rebellion, will return in the upcoming Ahsoka TV series on Disney+. This is incredibly exciting for fans who have waited to see Hera return since the finale of Star Wars Rebels, and her presence has significant implications for what direction Ahsoka’s story will take. Hera plays a substantial role in the history of Star Wars, both in Rebels and other parts of the timeline.

Knowing her history with the Rebel Alliance will be crucial for understanding her story in Ahsoka and what role she’ll play in future Star Wars projects.

Hera Syndulla is one of the Star Wars franchise’s most essential and iconic characters. She is the captain of the starship Ghost and the leader of the crew, which includes the young Jedi Kanan Jarrus, the Mandalorian Sabine Wren, the Lasat Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios, and the astromech droid Chopper. 

Hera was born on Ryloth to General Cham Syndulla and Eleni Syndulla. Her father was a prominent Twi’lek revolutionary who fought against the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. Hera saw firsthand the devastation of the Clone Wars and the reign of the Empire on her home world. This experience shaped her into a strong and determined young woman who was determined to fight for freedom.

Hera left Ryloth at a young age to train as a pilot. She quickly became one of the best pilots in the galaxy. She also developed a reputation for being a skilled tactician and a natural leader. After the fall of the Republic, Hera formed the crew of the Ghost and began to fight against the Empire.

Hera and the crew of the Ghost played a vital role in the early days of the Rebellion. They helped to smuggle supplies to the Rebellion, rescue prisoners, and carry out missions against the Empire. Hera was also instrumental in forming the Phoenix Squadron, a rebel fleet that played a significant role in the Battle of Lothal.

Hera is a complex and nuanced character. She is a strong and determined leader, but she is also compassionate and caring. She is a skilled pilot and a brilliant tactician, but she is also a loyal friend and a loving mother. Hera is a true hero of the Star Wars galaxy and an inspiration to us all.

Here are some of the reasons why Hera Syndulla is the Rebellion’s best pilot:

She is incredibly skilled. Hera has been flying since childhood and has a natural talent for it. She can easily pilot her ship through difficult situations and is always calm under pressure.

She is a brilliant tactician. Hera is not only a skilled pilot but also a brilliant tactician. She can quickly assess a situation and devise a plan of action. She is also able to adapt her dreams on the fly if necessary.

She is a natural leader. Hera is a natural leader. She can inspire her crew to follow her, even under challenging circumstances. She is also able to make tough decisions when necessary.

She is compassionate. Hera is a human person. She cares about her crew and friends and is always willing to help those in need. This compassion makes her a more effective leader, allowing her to connect with her people personally.

1. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Hera Syndulla In Ahsoka

Mary Elizabeth Winstead will play Hera in Ahsoka, marking the character’s first appearance in live-action. Although Vanessa Marshall in Rebels previously voiced Hera, Winstead is a strong choice for portraying her in live-action, with an impressive list of acting credits.

As for her story in the Ahsoka TV series, it’s clear Hera will play a key role. She was the Rebellion’s best pilot, and with every reason to take down Thrawn, she’d more than likely jump at the chance to join Ahsoka and Sabine. By her side through some of the action will be her son Jacen, who will also be making his live-action debut. In the official trailer, Hera suggests that Ahsoka mend her relationship with Sabine and bring the warrior to seek out Thrawn.

The Mandalorian previously touched on the problems with the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant. Since Hera was a prominent member of the Rebellion, Ahsoka can continue to explore this from her perspective.

2. What We Know About Hera Syndulla In The Star Wars Sequels?

There’s also a good chance that Hera had already appeared in the Star Wars sequel era, albeit briefly. In the novel Aftermath: Life Debt, it is mentioned that Hera is leading a fleet of rebel ships in the Unknown Regions. This suggests she still fights the Empire, even after the Battle of Endor.

In the film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, there is a brief scene where Lando Calrissian arrives at the Battle of Exegol with a fleet of ships from across the galaxy. Among these ships is a starship that bears a striking resemblance to the Ghost, Hera’s ship from Star Wars Rebels. This suggests that Hera may have survived the events of the sequels and is still fighting for the Resistance.

It is also worth noting that Hera’s voice actress, Vanessa Marshall, also voiced the character of Jannah in the film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Jannah is a former stormtrooper who joins the Resistance in the Battle of Exegol. Hera and Jannah are related or have met at some point.

Since there’s a planned crossover between The Mandalorian and its spinoff shows, Hera will likely appear in The Mandalorian movie, especially since Rebels co-creator Dave Filoni is directing it. This would mean Star Wars has big plans for Hera’s future in Ahsoka and the larger franchise.

All that’s been confirmed is that Hera is returning and playing a crucial role in Ahsoka. It remains to be seen what parts of her history will come to the surface and what her future looks like, but she will again prove herself as the Rebellion’s best pilot.

In the upcoming Ahsoka series, Hera will be played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. This will be the first time Hera has been portrayed in live-action, and it will surely be a significant event for Star Wars fans.

3. About Star Wars: Ahsoka

Ahsoka is a Star Wars show on Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the show sees Rosario Dawson returning as Ahsoka Tano.

The series follows Anakin’s former Padawan Ahsoka Tano as she hunts the Chiss dictator Grand Admiral Thrawn, who plans to take over the galaxy.

The cast includes Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Eman Esfandi,  Ray Stevenson, and Ivanna Sakhno.