The Mandalorian season 3: release dates, reviews, cast, plot, and more

Mando and Grogu in The Mandalorian season 3
(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

The Mandalorian season 3 has wrapped up on Disney Plus. The third season in the hit Star Wars spin-off saw Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin reunited with his little green charge Grogu, AKA Baby Yoda, for more epic galactic adventures. A lot went down in the new episodes that make up season 3 as Mando sought redemption and Bo-Katan led the charge to retake Mandalore. 

There's much more to get into about the new episodes and our return to the galaxy far, far away, and we've got everything you need to know about The Mandalorian season 3 below. That includes a complete synopsis, how many episodes there are, casting information, links to our deep dives and explainers on each episode, and even exclusive insight from our interviews with Pascal and creator Jon Favreau. This is the Way...

The Mandalorian season 3 episode count

The Mandalorian season 3

(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

There are eight episodes total in The Mandalorian season 3:

  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 (Chapter 17): 'The Apostate'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 2 (Chapter 18): 'The Mines of Mandalore'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 3 (Chapter 19): 'The Convert'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 4 (Chapter 20): 'The Foundling'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 (Chapter 21): 'The Pirate'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 6 (Chapter 22): 'Guns for Hire'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 (Chapter 23): 'The Spies'
  • The Mandalorian season 3, episode 8 (Chapter 24): 'The Return'

Here are all the details of how to watch The Mandalorian season 3 online for less.

The Mandalorian season 3 review

Here at GamesRadar+, we reviewed The Mandalorian season 3 weekly. 

Our The Mandalorian season 3 episode 1 review gave the show three stars, arguing that "we wish it went into lightspeed a little quicker". 

"The Mandalorian welcomes us back with a season 3 premiere that’s light on pacing – barring two formidable action set-pieces – and heavy on exposition. Still, it’s a treat to see Mando and Grogu back on our screens and there’s plenty more to tease out as the season progresses."

But, our The Mandalorian season 3 episode 2 review jumped up to four stars, saying the show is "fully in adventure mode now." 

"The finest episodes of The Mandalorian have always been the self-contained adventures of Grogu and Mando. And while this doesn’t quite fit the bill, 'The Mines of Mandalore' captures the best aspects of it, taking us to a new part of the galaxy, deepening the connection between the characters, and giving viewers a genuine feeling of peril. But where it really excels is in nailing the emotional weight crafted in the storytelling that being three seasons deep allows."

Our The Mandalorian season 3 episode 3 review dipped down to 3.5 stars, calling the episode "a nuanced perspective on the wider world our heroes are operating in." 

"At its worst, it feels like it's trying to cover too much, leading to an overinflated runtime with too little clarity on the relevance for Mando and Grogu's story. However, this doesn't stop that at its best, it allows for an interesting and nuanced perspective on the wider world our heroes are operating in, and that's enough of a tantalizing proposition to keep us gripped."

As for The Mandalorian season 3 episode 4, the score dropped again to 3 stars, asking "where would this show be without Grogu?"

"Moff Gideon will surely arrive soon to inject more peril into proceedings. Until then, The Mandalorian – much like the creature that snatched up Ragnar – has taken us to a place we really didn't need to go. Thank goodness, once more, for Grogu. Where would this show be without him?" 

The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5 was another jump up to 4 stars, with our reviewer saying the episode is "a thrilling chapter that pits good against evil."

"The Mandalorian's aerial assault-turned-Moff-Gideon-hunt was an undoubted success. In truth, it's a little too light on Mando and Grogu exploits, but there can be few complaints when the action and the intrigue are delivered to just a high standard."

The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6 fell to 3 stars, with our reviewer declaring the show is "in danger of turning into The Book of Bo-Katan."

"On its own merits, 'Guns for Hire' is a more-than-competent episode that provides enough thrills and spills for detective duo Din and Bo-Katan. But, with two episodes left in the season, a lack of urgency still remains."

But, The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7 climbed back up to 4 stars. Our review called this installment "an exhilarating return to form."

"A pulse-pounding episode that advances the Mandalore plot, reminds us of the stakes of the season, and builds some fascinating bridges with what's to come in the galaxy far, far away."

As for the finale, The Mandalorian season 3 episode 8 review comes in at 3 stars, with our review saying the final episode is "a surprisingly definitive ending that plays it safe." 

"'The Return,' though, is guilty of being too risk-averse, introducing intriguing ideas and instantly tossing them to one side. Moff Gideon's clones? Gone in an instant. How does Bo-Katan move on from not having the Darksaber? We never really find out. And what of the remnants of the Empire and the Shadow Council? A story for another day, perhaps. When even Axe Woves is unscathed from what should have been a suicide mission, that's a bit of a red flag."

The Mandalorian season 3 cast

The Mandalorian season 3

(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

Pedro Pascal was back as Din Djarin and Grogu was at his side. 

Moff Gideon actor Giancarlo Esposito also returned, while Carl Weathers was back as Greef Karga and also directed an episode.

After The Mandalorian season 2 ending, Katee Sackhoff was back as Bo-Katan. Back to the Future's Christopher Lloyd also joined the line-up and was revealed in episode 6 to be playing Commissioner Helgait, head of security on Plazir-15. Jack Black and Lizzo also had roles in the same episode. 

Gina Carano's Cara Dune was written out of the show. This was addressed in The Mandalorian season 3 premiere, as well as the show's executive producers confirming her exit.

The Mandalorian season 3 story so far

Bo-Katan in The Mandalorian season 3

(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

The Mandalorian season 3 kicked off with 'The Apostate' which pulled viewers back into Mando's world after The Book of Boba Fett last year. The season begins with Mando meeting up with the Armorer to discuss his place with them, but she tells him his only hope is to go to the mines of Mandalore and bathe in the Living Waters. Mando then heads to Nevarro to meet Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), who tries to convince him to join them there. Mando's not swayed though. There's also a brief interlude where pirates arrive before they are swiftly dispatched as a warning to the galaxy.

Meanwhile, Mando decides that he needs the help of a droid he can trust and plans to revive IG-11. He enlists the Anzellans (Babu Frik’s species) for some help, but is told they need another part to fix IG-11. The episode ends with a reunion with a beaten-down Bo-Katan in a Mandalorian castle on Kalevala. She tells Mando her forces are gone and so is her hope to retake Mandalore given he's got the Darksaber

In 'The Mines of Mandalore,' Din and Grogu travel to Mandalore together – after first acquiring a new droid with a significant Star Wars history, R5-D4 – and there get themselves into a spot of trouble. Mando is taken captive by a sinister, cyclops-style droid, which means Grogu has to find Bo-Katan on his own. Luckily, the little green guy manages to make it to her unscathed and she returns to help save Din. She pulls off some impressive moves with the Darksaber and rescues Mando. 

Bo-Katan then escorts Din and Grogu to the Living Waters, talking about her history in the royal family as they go. Din goes to purify himself but is pulled underwater by something. Bo-Katan once again jumps into action, and beneath the surface gets a shock when she sees the Mythosaur, a creature with huge significance in Mandalorian culture. 

In 'The Convert,' Mando, Bo-Katan, and Grogu leave Mandalore and head back to Bo's castle – on the journey, Baby Yoda even almost says his first words. But, they're pursued by Imperials, and Bo-Katan's castle is destroyed. We also find out that Din doesn't remember seeing the Mythosaur. 

The episode then takes a surprising detour to focus on Doctor Pershing, the former Imperial scientist who was carrying out cloning experiments for Moff Gideon. Pershing has been through a rehabilitation program. He gives a speech in a very familiar prequels location and returns to his accommodation, where he meets Elia Kane once more. She also used to work with Gideon, who seemingly never made it to his War Tribunal

The duo strike up a friendship, but it's all a ruse from Kane: she sets Pershing up for arrest by the New Republic. They hook him up to a machine that shares similarities with a mind flayer, but for therapeutic purposes. When left alone, though, Kane dials the intensity up to max. 

The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5

(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

We then catch up with Din, Bo-Katan, and Grogu once more. Bo-Katan ends up inducted into Mando's covert, since she went into the Living Waters and hasn't taken her helmet off since. 

'The Foundling' sees Grogu, Din, and Bo-Katan in the covert together. Grogu wins a duel against another foundling, Ragnar, though Ragnar is soon taken by a giant creature back to its nest. The Mandalorians mount a rescue operation and are able to save him. It's revealed that Ragnar is Paz Vizsla's son. 

Grogu, meanwhile, has a flashback to Order 66. It's revealed that he was saved from the Jedi purge by none other than Kelleran Beq, played by Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best, who first debuted in his Jedi role in the game show Jedi Temple Challenge. 

Bo-Katan then tells the Armorer that she saw the Mythosaur, though it's unclear if the Armorer is taking her seriously or not. 

In 'The Pirate,' as you might be able to guess from the title, pirates are involved. Gorian Shard and his crew return to attack Nevarro. Carson Teva comes to Greef Karga's aid, and, though he's unable to get help from the New Republic, he manages to get the Mandalorian covert to step in. When we catch up with Carson, we're treated to Rebels character Zeb's live-action debut and cameos from Star Wars creatives Dave Filoni, Deborah Chow, and Rick Famuyiwa

The Mandalorians save Nevarro from the pirates and decide to relocate to the planet. The Armorer tells Bo-Katan to remove her helmet and says that, since she saw the Mythosaur and has walked both worlds, she can unite their people. They go to the rest of the covert and announce their intention to retake Mandalore

The very end of the episode reveals that the ship transporting Moff Gideon has been attacked, with Beskar found embedded in the wall – which fans think could signal the return of Dark Troopers

In 'Guns for Hire,' Mando and Bo-Katan go to Plazir-15 in search of more Mandalorians. There, they get briefly entangled in a droid conspiracy involving Jack Black, Lizzo, and Christopher Lloyd. After resolving the problem, the duo manages to recruit the other Mandalorians after Bo-Katan bests Axe Woves in combat, and Din hands the Darksaber back to Bo-Katan – he lost it to the cyclops on Mandalore, and since Bo-Katan saved Din from the creepy creature, the weapon is rightfully hers. 

In 'The Spies,' Moff Gideon finally returns and speaks to a gathering of Imperials, who reference Grand Admiral Thrawn's imminent return. Brian Gleeson is revealed to be playing Brendol Hux in a major sequel trilogy connection

We then catch up with the Mandalorians, who are going to Mandalore in search of the Great Forge. Baby Yoda gets to pilot IG-11, now named IG-12, which could be setting up an epic finale moment for him. 

The Mandalore mission turns out to be an Imperial trap, and Din is captured, while Paz Vizsla is killed defending his people. Gideon is also revealed to have Praetorian Guards and Beskar-clad troopers at his disposal, and it turns out that Bo-Katan lost the Darksaber to him because she willingly surrendered in exchange for Mandalore's survival. 

Finally, in 'The Return,' Mando manages to break away from his captors with help from Grogu, and they go to face Gideon together. On the way, they discover plenty of clones in tubes, which Din Djarin destroys. Gideon then reveals that he was going to build an army of clones of himself imbued with the Force – though one fan theory speculates that Gideon has been a clone throughout season 3

Bo-Katan ends up fighting Gideon with the Darksaber, but in a shocking moment, he destroys it. Axe Woves crashes a Star Destroyer into Mandalore and the fiery explosion seems to kill Gideon, though Grogu protects Din Djarin and Bo-Katan from the flames. The Mandalorians successfully retake their home world and, in a very touching moment, Mando officially adopts Grogu as his son

Mando then tells Carson Teva that he'd like to patrol the Outer Rim as a bounty hunter for the New Republic, and he and Grogu settle in a house together on Nevarro. 

The Mandalorian season 3 exclusive insight

Pedro Pascal face The Mandalorian

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Ahead of The Mandalorian season 3 premiere, GamesRadar got to speak with the show's star Pascal about what to expect in the new episodes. 

"I keep on using the word epic," Pascal tells us. "And it's such a cliché, but there are such epic moments within the seasons that we've already experienced, one and two, and even in The Book of Boba Fett, that bridges season 2 and season 3 of The Mandalorian so beautifully. And it outdoes itself as far as the word epic goes."

Jon Favreau also told the Total Film podcast about the new season, and he gave us a tease about what the future of The Mandalorian holds. Asked if the upcoming season 4 would be the final one, he replied: "No, I don't – I think the beauty of this is that it's a middle chapter of a much larger story. And though we'll have resolution over time with these characters, I think that how these characters fit into the larger scope and scale, but it's not like there's a finale that we're building to that I have in mind. Quite the contrary, I love for these stories to go on and on. And so these characters potentially could be with us for a while, and I really love telling stories in their voice, and I love the way the adventures unfold and I'm looking forward to doing much more."


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Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

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