Palpatine / Darth Sidious

The ultimate villain of the Skywalker saga — Sith Lord who engineered the fall of the Republic from within and ruled the galaxy as Emperor.

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7
Appearances
6
Movies
1
TV

Complete Timeline

Essential = Most important appearances for understanding this character's story

The Phantom Menace

FILM
32 BBY Essential

Senator Palpatine — manipulates events to become Supreme Chancellor while secretly being Darth Sidious.

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Attack of the Clones

FILM
22 BBY Essential

Supreme Chancellor — secretly orchestrating the Clone Wars from both sides.

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The Clone Wars

TV
22–19 BBY Essential

Appears in key episodes as both Chancellor and Darth Sidious.

Key Episodes = Essential
  • S5 E16 'The Lawless' (Duels and defeats Maul & Savage — major appearance)
  • S6 E1–4 'Inhibitor Chip Arc' (Ensures Fives dies to suppress Order 66 evidence)
  • S7 E11 'Shattered' (Executes Order 66)
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Revenge of the Sith

FILM
19 BBY Essential

Reveals himself as Sidious, turns Anakin, declares the Empire, becomes Emperor.

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The Empire Strikes Back

FILM
3 ABY

Appears via hologram — tells Vader that Luke must be turned or destroyed.

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Return of the Jedi

FILM
4 ABY Essential

Manipulates Luke, is killed by Darth Vader/Anakin on the second Death Star.

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The Rise of Skywalker

FILM
35 ABY Essential

Revealed to have survived — secret mastermind behind Snoke and the First Order. Finally destroyed by Rey.

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