There's no question that Disney's sequel trilogy for Star Wars was met with a mixed reaction. While the films were well made and impressive, many believe they didn't work as a cohesive set of three stories and that included the arcs of some of the characters who debuted in those movies.
Although not everyone got the storylines and growth that fans hoped for, there's no denying their status as interesting and intriguing characters. That includes iconic characters from previous films, new ones who made their first appearances, and some standout supporting players who may or may not have stolen the show.
Luke Skywalker
If the original trilogy is being discussed, then Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) would obviously rank near the top. Although it was great to see him again in these sequel movies, there's no doubt that Luke's characterization was a mixed bag that wasn't always consistent.
In The Last Jedi, Luke spent most of his time resisting the Force but acting as a strong mentor to Rey. He also got to face off against Kylo Ren in one of the coolest showings of Jedi abilities ever displayed. However, his appearance in the next movie clearly felt like it was written by someone else as it didn't totally line up.
Rose Tico
Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) was treated unfairly by a lot of Star Wars fans. The biggest issue with her was that her storyline felt so separate and unnecessary in The Last Jedi, while her romance with Finn also seemed to be forced and not really the route most fans hoped for.
That being said, Rose herself is actually someone worth cheering for. She's a smart member of the Resistance and someone who showed bravery at almost every turn. Her reduced role in The Rise of Skywalker was a controversial point of contention for those who have come to appreciate Rose and want to see more of her.
Maz Kanata
Another character who had a notable debut only to get less time in later films was Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o). Her appearance in The Force Awakens was in one of the best scenes as she is the one to give Rey Luke's old lightsaber and explain some bits of the plot while also teasing a romance with Chewbacca.
The wise former smuggler only goes on to appear in a few small scenes in later installments but again manages to deliver some important information each time. It helps that Nyong'o's performance was widely praised, leading to Kanata feeling like a lot of missed potential.
Han Solo
Fans everywhere rejoiced during the trailer for The Force Awakens when it was revealed that Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca stepped onto the Millennium Falcon. In the film itself, Han was the first true mentor figure for Rey and their bond was one of the most underrated in all of Star Wars lore.
Han Solo also got to have a remarkable pair of scenes with his son Ben. One saw him die in an emotional moment and the other had him visit Ben and help turn him away from the dark side. On top of it all, Han also kept everything that made him cool in the first place, allowing him to just be an older version of someone most audiences loved.
Finn
The entire premise of Finn (John Boyega) as a character was something that could've been special. A Stormtrooper who resisted his training, seemed to be Force-sensitive, and turned into a hero felt like someone that was going to be among the best characters in the history of the franchise.
He started down that path but was hampered by the changing of people behind these films. After stealing scenes in The Force Awakens, he was a side character in The Last Jedi, and again in the final installment. Finn had four different love interests and never came across like a consistent character. Even despite that, he was a fan favorite who was caring, brave, and sometimes just flat-out cool.
Leia Organa
Of the original core three heroes, Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) got the most time and development in the sequel trilogy. She appeared in all three films and had some important relationships with new characters like Rey and Poe, while also having some backstory explored.
Fans finally got to see a bit of Leia training as a Jedi and a short reunion with Luke before his death. She proved pivotal in getting Poe to become a better leader, training Rey further as a Jedi, and bringing her son Ben back to the light. Leia's fierceness was still evident, as was her sage advice and heroic nature.
Poe Dameron
If there was a "Han Solo" of the new characters, it was likely Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). He's basically the epitome of cool when he's first seen in The Force Awakens and his skills as a pilot are pretty unmatched. Alas, he was given less interesting things to do in the sequel.
While the storyline he had in The Last Jedi was maligned, it did help him become a stronger leader. Poe was at his best when he was around other characters, perfectly playing off of the likes of Finn and BB-8. He even had some standout scenes with Rey in their short time together.
BB-8
Some of the most beloved characters in this franchise are droids and one of the best was introduced in The Force Awakens in the form of BB-8. Like the best droids before him, BB-8 was able to show off a ton of personality without the need for dialogue, making him instantly likable.
When he found a clever way to give a thumbs up, audiences laughed and when he displayed sadness at the thought of Poe being dead, they felt bad for him. BB-8 was around for crucial scenes and the viewers felt as attached to him as characters like Rey and Poe did because he was a special droid.
Rey
The protagonist of this series of movies was Rey (Daisy Ridley). She took on the Luke Skywalker role as the person plucked from obscurity and thrust into something great, using their Force powers to succeed. Right off the bat, a reason the character worked was due to Ridley's tremendous performances.
Rey wasn't just the hero of the story, though. She was someone who was truly tested by the dark side and even seemed headed down that path during parts of The Last Jedi. She ultimately remained good, helped bring Ben to her side, and defeated the ultimate evil when it was all said and done. She turned out to be a hero in its truest form.
Kylo Ren
The journey of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) ended up being tied to Rey as their scenes together were always among the most incredible in the entire franchise. However, his story goes back further as the truth about how he left Luke wasn't as cut and dry as everyone had previously expected.
There were layers to Kylo and though he did some terrible things like killing his father, you could understand some of his motivations (even if you didn't agree with them) due to manipulation and desire for power. Like Darth Vader before him, he was ultimately redeemed at the end of the story and sacrificed himself for someone he loved.