Sidious

Darth Sidious is the Sith title of Sheev Palpatine, a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. As Darth Sidious, he is the Dark Lord of the Sith who orchestrates the fall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire. The character often operates under a dual identity, presenting himself as a seemingly benevolent political figure while secretly pursuing a ruthless Sith agenda.

In the Star Wars narrative, Sidious masks his true role as the mastermind behind the Clone Wars and the manipulation of key figures to serve his plans. He cultivates apprentices who help advance his power: first Darth Maul, then Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku), and ultimately influences Anakin Skywalker to embrace the dark side in order to fulfill his broader scheme. His actions culminate in the execution of Order 66 and the near-succession of Jedi, setting the stage for imperial rule.

Beyond the films, Sidious appears in various Star Wars media, including animated series and literature, and is portrayed in live action by Ian McDiarmid. In canon, his power and influence extend into narratives beyond Episode VI, while Legends offers alternate elaborations on his fate and methods. Sidious is widely recognized for political ingenuity, extensive manipulation of power structures, and formidable Force abilities such as Force lightning.

See also: Darth Sidious, Sheev Palpatine, Darth Maul, Darth Tyranus.