I know we tend to associate Barbiecore with the color pink, but it also includes the other fun patterned outfits the Barbies wear in Barbie Land, including that iconic black and white swimsuit. It turns out, that the swimwear Margot Robbie’s titular character wears in Barbie’s first teaser and the first scene of the film has skyrocketed in popularity. So, here’s how you can rock this lovely black-and-white look. 

Back in 1959, the original Barbie wore this incredible strapless black and white striped swimsuit. She accessorized with a white pair of cat-eye sunglasses, simple earrings and a bold red lip. In Barbie, when the lead doll comes into existence she’s wearing this retro look to pay homage to the first doll. Now, a study by Boohoo has shown that this item from Greta Gerwig’s incredibly well-reviewed movie is rising in popularity. 

The Original Barbie Swimsuit Is Wildly Popular 

While we’ve seen celebs rocking Barbiecore pink for months, the black and white look from Barbie has really caught peoples’ eyes recently. According to this study by Boohoo, which analyzed Google data to determine trending swimwear, pink bikinis saw a 55% increase in searches, meanwhile the black and white “striped swimsuit” saw a 118% increase. 

Honestly, I get it. This look is unique, retro, classy and something so many people can get on board with. A lot of Barbie fashion is neon or pastel, and this black and white look is perfect for both overall Barbie enthusiasts and those who are looking for a different way to show their love for Margot Robbie’s character at the beach even if they don't love pink as much as the Barbies do. 

How To Buy Barbie’s Swimsuit 

Clearly, there’s a trend growing here. A 118% increase is pretty massive. So, you might now be wondering: How do I get my hands on one of these amazing black and white swimsuits? Or you might be considering other clothing options that could help you create a look inspired by the doll’s legendary opening look. Either way, I’ve got you covered. 

We’ll start with the swimsuit itself. Summer might be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of opportunities to rock this statement piece of swimwear throughout the year. If you are looking for a retro vibe that is similar to Robbie’s suit in the movie, give this Amazon option a try:

If you are looking for a sportier option that isn’t as spot on, but still subtly shows your love for Barbie, check out this one-piece from Free People: 

Although, with the colder months approaching, it might also be good to look into some black and white striped options that you can wear for a nice night out that gives a little wink to Robbie’s doll. This option from Saks Fifth Avenue would be perfect for that occasion if you ask me: 

This strapless dress from Revolve that has a hint of Barbie flair would also be a fab option for an evening out on the town:

And don’t think I forgot about accessories. Whether you decide to go the swim or streetwear route, Barbie’s accessories are a must. So, make sure you pick up some white cat eye sunglasses and a black pair of heels (or sandals if you’re going to the beach). 

• White Cat Eye Sunglasses: kimorn Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Clout Goggles Kurt Cobain Retro Sun Glasses K0566 (White&Black) on Amazon for $12.99
• Black Heels: DREAM PAIRS Women’s NILE Fashion Stilettos Open Toe Pump Heel Sandals on Amazon for $30.20
• Black Sandals: Soda PLENTY ~ Women’s Strappy Ankle Wrap Buckle Fashion Flat Sandals on Amazon for $17.05-$24.14

Well, there you have it. That’s everything you need to recreate and/or honor Barbie’s fantastic black and white swimsuit ensemble from the opening scene of Barbie. After you order your fabulous fit, make sure you check out the 2023 movie schedule so you can see what else is playing in theaters alongside Barbie in the coming months. 

I have always been firm believer in the phrase, “A hero is only as good as his or her villain.” I also believe that some of the best movies of the 1980s are home to some of the greatest heroic characters in cinematic history. By that logic, the antagonists from that decade would have would also have to be pretty top notch, to say the least.

Well, the 30 great ‘80s movie villains below certainly make a great case for that bold claim. Take a look at the heinous jerks, power-hungry criminals, and coldblooded killers from the unforgettable decade, below.

Ace Merrill (Stand By Me)

Part of the reason why 1986’s Stand By Me — Rob Reiner’s adaptation of the coming-of-age novella, The Body — is one of the most beloved Stephen King movies is that its darker moments never rely on a supernatural threat. That was handled perfectly enough by Kiefer Sutherland’s performance as Ace Merrill, who is remembered today as one the quintessential examples of how unmercifully sadistic a childhood bully can be.

Audrey II (Little Shop Of Horrors)

A 1960 B-movie by Roger Corman inspired a hit Broadway show that director Frank Oz made into one of the greatest musical horror comedy movies — 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors, in which Rick Moranis’ Seymour Krelborn comes across a weeeiiiirrrrd plant that soon becomes a sensation. 

The catch: Audrey II (named after his co-worker and crush, played by Ellen Greene) is really a “mean, green mother from outer space” with an insatiable craving for human flesh and an even meaner singing voice (courtesy of The Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs) that could consume the entire world if it grows large enough.

Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice)

Before playing one of the greatest ‘80s movies heroes (and becoming the best live-action Batman actor in the process), Michael Keaton first collaborated with Tim Burton in the title role of the spooky 1988 classic, Beetlejuice. The future Academy Award nominee actually had a lot of influence in the creation of the kooky, conniving bio-exorcist — from his rapid-fire speech pattern, bizarre wardrobe choices, and moldy skin — making him a villain hard to dislike and even harder to forget, despite only 17 minutes of screen time.

Biff Tannen (Back To The Future)

Making Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown’s (Christopher Lloyd) troublesome adventures in the time travel movie classic, Back to the Future, and its sequels even more difficult is Biff Tannen — easily the best-known role of comedian Tom Wilson. Initially a typical, ‘50s-era high school bully, by Part II, he evolves into a dynamic antagonist of various sides who, in an alternate 1985, becomes a powerful, ruthlessly corrupt business tycoon with the unwitting help of his older self.

Chet Donnelly (Weird Science)

Has cinema ever shown us a more fearsome example of how horrible older siblings can be than the late Bill Paxton as Chet Donnelly from 1985’s Weird Science? From little things like stealing breakfast from his brother, Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), to shoving a shotgun in Gary’s (Anthony Micheal Hall) face, the dull-brained, militaristic terror is easily the biggest jerk from John Hughes’ movies and his comeuppance at the end — Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) turns him into some frog-like blob — is less than he really deserves.

Christine (Christine)

It is every teenager’s dream to have their own car, but when Keith Gordon’s Arnie gets his own set of wheels in John Carpenter’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Christine from 1983, it proves to be a nightmare… for everyone else in his life. The titular, red Plymouth Fury (named after George Romero’s ex-wife) turns out to have a mind of her own, the ability to heal herself of any damage, and grows so protective of her driver that she will do anything to keep him all to herself. 

Chucky (Child's Play)

Anyone who suffers from an irrational fear of dolls must have felt a refreshing sense of validation upon the 1988 release of one of the best scary doll movies, Child’s Play, in which a single mother (Catherine Hicks) discovers a friendly-looking gift for her young son (Alex Vincent) is possessed by the soul of a nasty serial killer. Academy Award nominee and deeply underrated actor, Brad Dourif, gives a memorably menacing performance as the voice of Charles “Chucky” Lee Ray that is key to why the franchise still continues to this day with Syfy’s hit Chucky TV show.

Darth Sidious (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi)

If this was a list of villains from the best ‘70s movies, we would have given praise to the original Star Wars movie’s Darth Vader, but when it comes to classics from this decade, the most fearsome foe from George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away is his boss, Darth Sidious. Otherwise known as Emperor Palpatine, the Sith Lord (whom Ian McDiarmid first appeared as in 1983’s Return of the Jedi) may appear old and decrepit, but behind those yellow eyes is a mighty, nigh unstoppable force of deadly, tyrannical manipulation — not to mention, the lightning that emits from his fingertips is pretty devastating. 

The Duke (Escape From New York)

One of the first and most iconic acting roles by Isaac Hayes (the Academy Award-winning composer of the iconic movie theme song from Shaft) is a really bad mother— shut your mouth — known as The Duke from John Carpenter’s dystopian 1981 cult thriller, Escape from New York. The ruthless criminal, who has established himself as the most powerful inmate in the maximum prison that once was Manhattan, sees the accidental arrival of the President (Donald Pleasance) as his ticket to freedom and compromises the anti-heroic Snake Plissken’s (a badass Kurt Russell) rescue mission by barbaric means.

Gozer (Ghostbusters)

The moment that really confirms 1984’s Ghostbusters as a classic horror-comedy movie (with emphasis on the horror) is certainly not when Slimer first appears, but in the final act when the crew must take on the demonic Gozer (Slavitza Jovan, but later played by Olivia Wilde in Ghostbusters: Afterlife). The terrifying, omnipotent “prehistoric bitch” takes way more than a proton pack to defeat, but at least has enough respect for its human adversaries to give them the choice of what will be bring forth their planet’s destruction, resulting in the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’s attack on New York.

The Gremlins (Gremlins)

Many can relate to the idea of giving your child a seemingly cute and cuddly pet that turns out to be a terror, which producer Steven Spielberg, writer Chris Columbus, and director Joe Dante exaggerated to a nightmarish levels in the Christmas horror movie classic, 1984’s Gremlins. If only the Mogwai’s three rules were followed, it could not have given rise to the titular, green, grinning, goblin-like creatures that give Billy’s (Zach Galligan) small town a horrifying holiday.

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

Growing up, parents always said not to be afraid of bad dreams because they cannot hurt you, but what if that was not the case and staying awake was the only solution? Such is the concept of writer and director Wes Craven’s 1984 supernatural slasher favorite, A Nightmare on Elm Street, in which Robert Englund gives his most iconic performance as Freddy Krueger — a grotesque boogeyman with the power to slay people with his razor-clawed glove from within their subconscious.

Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

You would never believe that the late Alan Rickman had never been in a movie before giving his stunning, seminal performance in 1988’s Die Hard cast as Hans Gruber. The bloodthirsty, but admirably sophisticated, German thief is a polar opposite to Bruce Willis’ reluctant, blue collar hero, John McClane, making him the perfect adversary for, arguably, the greatest action movie ever made and one of the genre’s finest villains.

Ivan Drago (Rocky IV)

While the original from 1976 is a classic Best Picture Oscar winner, the fourth installment of the Rocky movies from 1985 might be the most iconic in the Sylvester Stallone-led boxing movie franchise. A good chunk of credit should be given to Dolph Lundgren as the cold, hulking, Russian rival athlete, Ivan Drago, who takes competition deathly seriously, based on his signature catchphrase, “I must break you,” and his absolute lack of remorse for incidentally killing Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in the ring. 

Jack Torrance (The Shining)

One of the reasons why Stephen King did not care for The Shining (to put it lightly) was the casting of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, as he believed it would let on his eventual descent into madness from the moment we first see him. However, the Academy Award winner’s bombastically unhinged performance was one of the top reasons why Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation is so beloved to this day and why the good dad gone bad is, arguably, the best Stephen King movie villain yet. 

Jason Voorhees (Friday The 13th Sequels)

In 1980’s original installment of the Friday the 13th movies, the killer stalking Camp Crystal Lake was a vengeful mother named Pamela Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), who would easily go down in history as one of the greatest female horror villains of all time. Yet, the one who would go down as one of the most iconic horror movie villains in general and became the (hockey-masked) face of the subsequent franchise was her son, Jason Voorhees, who started off slicing teens with his machete to avenge his mother, but did not really need much of a motivation as the series went on.

Johnny Lawrence (The Karate Kid)

In the ‘80s, one of the go-to actors to play the designated superficial, bullish jock in a coming-of-age movie was William “Billy” Zabka and earning him that reputation was his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984’s The Karate Kid. Years later, the character — introduced in the classic movie as Daniel LaRusso’s (Ralph Macchio) brutal martial arts rival — would be seen in a whole new light when Zabka reprised the role in the Cobra Kai cast on the YouTube original series that became a Netflix exclusive.

The Joker (Batman)

There have been many different, unique portrayals of The Joker — the top dog of Batman’s rogues gallery — with some favoring Mark Hamill’s enduring animated iteration or Heath Ledger’s unpredictably manic, Oscar-winning interpretation in 2008’s The Dark Knight. However, when 1989’s Batman came out, it seemed like nothing would be able to surpass Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier — a Gotham gangster whose chemical accident turns him into a Clown Prince of Crime with an ingenious balance of cartoonish lunacy and chilling wickedness.

Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

There are many reasons why modern audiences struggle to call Robert Zemeckis’ astonishing blend of live-action and animation, 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a great movie for kids, definitively. One of the most pressing is the way Christopher Lloyd fully channels his bad side — and abstains from blinking his eyes — as the ominous Judge Doom, who only gets much, much scarier when we discover his true identity.

Khan Noonien Singh (Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan)

Ricardo Montalban first appeared as a genetically engineered Augment known as Khan — or, as William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk pronounces it, “KHAAAAAAAAAN!” — in an episode of the original Star Trek series in 1967. However, his grand return to the role as the titular antagonist of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is one of the most legendary performances in the franchise’s history and key as to why the 1982 sequel is still widely considered the best Star Trek movie to date.

Lord Humungus (The Road Warrior)

George Miller’s Mad Max movies have had their fair share of great villains, from Toecutter in the 1979 original to Immortan Joe in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road — both of whom were played by Hugh Keays-Byrne. When the franchise fully entered its influential, dystopian-era stage with 1981’s The Road Warrior, Mel Gibson’s anti-hero was tasked with taking on the Marauders’ hulking leader, Lord Humungus (Kjell Nilsson), who kind of looks like if Jason Voorhees was a medieval exotic dancer, but is nonetheless a memorably imposing figure off post-apocalyptic tyranny.

Mama Fratelli (The Goonies)

The deadly traps that the thrill-seeking youngsters from the Goonies cast encounter while searching for buried treasure are scary enough, but if there is anything more terrifying in director Richard Donner’s 1985 cult classic, it’s the matriarch of the menacing Fratelli family. Given her reputation for playing particularly “grouchy” characters, to say that Academy Award nominee Anne Ramsey gives one of her most intimidating performances as a woman trying to beat a group of children to the site of hidden loot is really saying something.

Mola Ram (Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom)

Harrison Ford’s intrepid fortune hunter, Indiana Jones, has made enemies with many dastardly personalities, but I do not believe a single one of them comes close to being as haunting as Amrish Puri as Mola Ram. What better proof is there than the terrifying scene from 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when the Thuggee cult leader reaches into a man’s chest, pulls out his still-beating heart, and lowers him into a fiery pit as a sacrifice to his ruthless deity. 

Mother Alien (Aliens)

In the franchises’ decades-long history, the Alien movies have shown us various breeds of the Xenomorph — each one horrifying, but also undeniably picturesque, in its own way — but the one that might take the cake, however, is the (literal) mother of them all. Then again, we cannot blame this queen for her main goal in James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, Aliens, which is to protect her children from Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, who is on her own mission to rescue the young, orphaned Newt (Carrie Henn).

The Predator (Predator)

The Xenomorph may be cinema’s definitive depiction of extra-terrestrial evil, but the most badass of them all would have to be the titular creature played by the late Kevin Peter Hall in director John McTiernan’s 1987 sci-fi hit, which is still the best of the Predator movies in most people’s eyes. As Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch would demonstrate in the third act of the testosterone-fueled, jungle-set action thriller, it does not take brawn, but brains to defeat the hulking beast, who admirably maintains a code of honor when hunting his prey.

Principal Richard Vernon (The Breakfast Club)

I pray for anyone who ever felt like their principal relished in making his students’ lives miserable when they were in high school, because that would mean that they actually knew someone like Richard Vernon. 

Paul Gleason, an actor who seemed to relish playing unlikable characters with brilliant focus, may have hit his peak in that regard in 1985 with his performance in John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club cast as a nearly sadistic principal with no sense of respect or concern for his youthful peers. I hope the custodian, Carl (John Kapelos), managed to talk some sense into him and save him from being a dangerous embarrassment to the public school system.

Rene Beloq (Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

Out of all of the memorable Indiana Jones movie villains, my pick for the all-time best would be Rene Beloq, played by Paul Freeman in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. As a fellow fortune-hunter, the charismatic Frenchman is a perfect match for Harrison Ford’s hero — having a similar goal, but going about it in a more despicable manner by partnering with the Nazis and being willing to kill and manipulate to get his hands on any great fortune.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

There really is not a “good guy” in director Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking — yet commercial unsuccessful — adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? from 1982, considering how there is nothing admirable about Rick Deckard’s (Harrison Ford) occupation in “retiring” Replicants from a moral standpoint. Furthermore, as an artificial being who wants nothing more but to live longer and freely, I think that Rutger Hauer’s Roy Batty is actually one of Blade Runner’s more sympathetic characters, which is what makes him such a unique example of antagonism.

The Terminator (The Terminator)

One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most iconic characters would come to be known as a great hero in the early ‘90s with the release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but that is a far cry from his original depiction in 1984. The titular antagonist of James Cameron’s breakthrough, The Terminator, may look like an ordinary (yet extraordinarily ripped) man, but is really a futuristic machine that does not negotiate, feel any emotion, and refuses to cease until his target — Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the unwitting mother of a dystopian war hero — is dead.

The Thing (The Thing)

Imagine not being able to trust if someone you know personally is really who they say they are or if they are a shapeshifting, otherworldly creature in disguise. That is the concept of, arguably, the best of John Carpenter’s movies, 1982’s The Thing, which more faithful adapts John W. Campbell  Jr.’s horror novella “Who Goes There?” into a master class in suspense in which its alien antagonist pits an Arctic research crew against each other, challenging them figure out who is still human.

For anyone who wants to get in the business of playing bad people on the silver screen, they should consider ‘80s movie villains their heroes.

Under the category, NEVER SAY NEVER — Britney Spears is seriously talking about reconciling with the man she wanted put in jail over her conservatorship … her dad, Jamie Spears. Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … since Britney’s split…

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August is normally the time of year when the rumbling of the fall TV season would be starting from the major networks, but that's not the case in 2023 due to the WGA writers strike and SAG-AFTRA actors strike. Production on many projects has been on a standstill since May, and the strikes are still ongoing as fall approaches. That means shows like Chicago P.D. aren't expected to return before the end of the 2023 TV schedule, and the stars and executive producers of NBC's cop drama have come together to help members of the crew during the wait for work to begin on Season 11. 

The vulnerable thirteen set and office production assistants who work on Chicago P.D. have each been given a donation of $1,500 from members of the cast and EPs, according to Deadline, with another payment coming. The stars who have donated to the pool of cash for the PAs so far include Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek), Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess), Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton), and Amy Morton (Trudy Platt), with LaRoyce Hawkins' (Kevin Atwater) contributions as part of the upcoming second payment to the PAs. Executive producers Gwen Sigan (who is also the showrunner), Gavin Harris, and Scott Gold have donated as well, with first AD Richard White organizing the campaign. 

The first payment was reportedly distributed among the thirteen PAs more than a week ago, with a second donation from Flueger (whose character was left in a frustrating cliffhanger at the end of the 2022-2023 season) bringing the total of the the pool for the staffers to $25,000. Production assistants are generally tasked with jobs like opening sets, getting food orders, and distributing scripts, to name just a few. Organizer Richard White shared what he learned in conversations with the P.D. PAs during the strike, saying:

Somebody’s computer broke, somebody’s car was at the shop and they were worried about whether they were going to get the money. They’re not under health insurance plans or under a union, and they all still have Chicago rent to worry about, and groceries and everything else.

The donations for the production assistants will hopefully help those members of the crew as the strikes continue with no news of when Chicago P.D. production can begin. The show was renewed (along with Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and the three Law & Order series) back in April, with that news shortly followed by reports that series regulars will appear in fewer episodes of Season 11. 

Members of the cast have been active on the picket lines during the strikes, with Marina Squerciati sharing a photo on Instagram of Amy Morton marching for SAG-AFTRA. Tracy Spiridakos also reunited with Jesse Lee Soffer, who previously played her on-screen husband Jay Halstead, to strike. The donations from additional cast members and producers show that even if photos haven't been snapped of them on the picket lines, they're supporting those affected by the production shutdowns. 

Only time will tell how much longer the strikes will continue before a resolution can be found with the AMPTP. The writers of WGA have been striking since early May, with the actors of SAG-AFTRA hitting the picket lines as well in mid-July.

Spoilers ahead for the August 22 episode of America's Got Talent Season 18.

Season 18 of America's Got Talent is heating up now that the qualifiers round has begun in the 2023 TV schedule, and the first post-audition episode delivered something that might not have made it to the airwaves if the broadcast wasn't live on NBC. When the judges were giving feedback to young ventriloquist Brynn Cummings, Howie Mandel seized the opportunity to crack a joke about Sofia Vergara's divorce from Joe Manganiello, and Vergara – sitting with just one seat separating her from Mandel – had an iconic reaction.

12-year-old Brynn Cummings' ventriloquist act for the qualifiers involved one of her puppets looking for a new boyfriend after a breakup, and she recruited Heidi Klum's help. Afterward, Howie Mandel said this to the young performer: 

If I have one word of advice – if you’re looking for eligible bachelors, you should have talked to Sofia because she is in the market right now.

It was a clear reference to her divorce from Joe Manganiello, and the crowd didn't seem to know whether or not to laugh. Simon Cowell started looking around the room, and Heidi Klum seemed to not want to look in any direction other than straight ahead. For his part, host Terry Crews immediately started saying “No! No, we are not doing that here!” and then tried to move the judging along. Sofia Vergara's reaction was the best, as she immediately cracked up at the joke and lifted her arms with a big smile of acknowledgment. What could have been extremely awkward was pretty funny instead! 

If you missed the moment – or are like me, and just want to watch it again – you can find Howie Mandel setting up his joke around 4:10 in the video below or via a Peacock Premium subscription. Check it out:

This isn't the first time that Howie Mandel has poked fun at his fellow judges' personal lives on America's Got Talent, including when he roasted Simon Cowell for breaking his back during an incident with an electric bike. Like Sofia Vergara, Cowell laughed at the joke at the time. When you sit at a table for hours on end with a professional comic, maybe you just have to be ready for anything! For her part, Vergara told the beautiful story of Joe Manganiello's proposal on AGT a couple of seasons ago. 

News that the Modern Family alum was splitting with her husband of seven years broke back in mid-July, and a usual reason was cited for why it was happening. Not too long after, she was said to be feeling very fortunate about the life she loves even if she was also sad about the end of her marriage, although she didn't publicly comment in her own words. The paperwork for the divorce filing revealed what she was aiming to keep independently after their split (including jewelry, artwork, and earnings), but there was apparently no argument over whether Vergara or Manganiello would keep custody of their dog. 

Whether Sofia Vergara was genuinely amused by Howie Mandel's comment or just being a good sport is hard to say, but she definitely had a fun reaction to the joke about her divorce on America's Got Talent. You can see more of the banter between Mandel, Vergara, Simon Cowell, and Heidi Klum with new episodes of AGT on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET, all on NBC. 

Spoilers for the first two episodes of Disney+’s Ahsoka lie ahead, so read on at your own risk.

Ahsoka finally made its long-anticipated debut, and the two-episode series premiere delivers plenty of Star Wars goodness that’s sure to excite fans. In the lead-up to the show, what had a number of fans most excited about the show was its connections to the animated series Rebels. Of course, given that it’s set within the same timeframe as The Mandalorian, it has connections to that as well. The character of Morgan Elsbeth represents a piece of connective tissue between the two streaming series. Surprisingly though, the latest show just revealed that Morgan has ties to a mythology highlighted in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription). And I’m hoping this link is explored further. 

What Connects Morgan To Star Wars: The Clone Wars?

Morgan Elsbeth – played by Diana Lee Inosanto – debuted in The Mandalorian Season 2 episode “Chapter 13: The Jedi.” Established as the cruel Imperial Magistrate of Calodan on the planet Corvus, she was overthrown due to Ahsoka Tano and Din Djarin’s efforts. Few details have been revealed about Morgan’s backstory at this point, with the most notable arguably being that she once worked for the (now-missing) Grand Admiral Thrawn and helped rebuild the Imperial fleet. It would now seem that there’s more to her than meets the eye, though. 

The series premiere of Ahsoka, “Part One: Master and Apprentice,” sees the titular heroine traveling to an ancient temple and recovering a star map that may lead to Thrawn. She's successful and, later on, Morgan, ex-Jedi Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and his apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) all visit the site. It's there that Hati inquires about the history of the location, and Morgan reveals it was built by her ancestors — the Nightsisters of Dathomir! Interestingly though, when Shin refers to her as a witch, Morgan simply says she's a survivor. 

She does have the powers of a witch, though. In the second episode, “Part Two: Toil and Trouble,” Elsbeth rendezvous with Hati and Skoll, after the former retrieves the map from Sabine Wren. It’s there that she uses magic to access the map and reveal where Thrawn might be. All in all, this is a pleasantly surprising tie-in, especially for someone like myself who’s watched Clone Wars and read a few Star Wars comics. And if you’re part of the uninitiated, don’t worry, because we’re going to discuss who these characters are. 

Who Are The Nightsisters And How Do They Factor Into Star Wars Lore?

The Nightsisters or the Witches of Dathomir were introduced decades ago during the Star Wars Expanded Universe continuity, which was eventually deemed non-canon. The group of sorceresses remained in the fold under the Disney era, though, thanks to being introduced into The Clone Wars ahead of Lucasfilm’s sale to Disney. In short, the group are dark Force-users, who channel energy from a substance known as magical ichor, which flows within their planet. The most prominent clan to be depicted in recent SW media is that of the all-powerful Mother Talzin.

Though the sisters have appeared in comics and video games over the past few years, Clone Wars marked their most prominent appearances. That’s because it was revealed that former Sith Asajj Ventress was a native of Dathomir and that Talzin was the mother of Darth Maul and Savage Opress. She was ultimately the one who restored Maul, who was left physically and mentally damaged after his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

Ultimately, many of the Nightsisters were massacred due to the actions of Count Dooku and General Grievous. This actually tracks with what was already known about Morgan Elsbeth, as Ahsoka Tano revealed on The Mandalorian that her people were wiped out during the Clone Wars. Now, we don’t know if her clan dwelled on Dathomir proper, but it’s possible that they were, at the very least, connected to the denizens of that planet culturally.

Why I’d Love For Ahsoka (Or Another Show) To Dig Deeper Into This Portion Of Morgan’s Backstory

The Nightsister-centric episodes featured on Clone Wars were very intriguing, as they introduced a more unusual side of the galaxy far, far away. In addition, it’s rare that fans get to see pure magic and sorcery (which is somewhat mixed in with the Force) depicted in Star Wars. Now that viewers know of Morgan’s ancestry, I’d love to see that part of her history covered a bit more. Lightsaber battles are sure to play heavily into the remainder of Tano’s series though, amid blade battles, it’d also be great to see her use her supernatural powers in a more defensive way. 

That seems more probable than a cameo from the spirit of Mother Talzin. But again, with the franchise growing in different ways, I don’t see why a production focusing on the remnants of the Nightsisters couldn’t become a reality. Elsbeth could certainly be involved, assuming she survives the events of Ahsoka. Regardless of whether that actually happens though, I’m pleased with the little piece of connective tissue we have.

Ahsoka premieres new episodes on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Disney+ as part of the 2023 TV schedule. Do yourself a favor and also keep your eyes on upcoming Star Wars TV shows and movies.