Just one day before it is set to make its official premiere, the new Lucasfilm animated series Star Wars Rebels has been renewed for Seson 2 by Disney XD.

Star Wars Rebels went into production May 2013, and will launch with a one-hour TV movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion on Friday, October 3 at 9pm on the Disney Channel, before moving to its home on Disney XD starting Monday, October 6 at 8 pm. New half-hour episodes of the series begin October 13 at 9 pm.

Star Wars Rebels recounts what happened between Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, with the series set to span two decades. The animated series begins at a time when the Empire is just starting to take over the galaxy, hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a rebellion against the oppressors takes shape.

The stories will mostly revolve around The crew of the Ghost starship, introducing new Star Wars characters Jedi Kanan, pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the "muscle" Zeb, warrior Sabine and droid Chopper. They are among the few brave soldiers who stand up against the Empire. In the coming weeks, they will face new villains, including the dreaded Inquisitor, and adversaries as they go on adventures to become the heroes who ignite a rebellion.

Freddie Prinze Jr., Taylor Gray, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, Vanessa Marshall, Jason Isaacs, David Oyelowo and Billy Dee Williams are the voice stars.

Here is the official press release from Lucasfilm and Disney XD:

One day ahead of a highly-anticipated television premiere, Disney Channels Worldwide President and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh announced plans to produce a second season of the animated series Star Wars Rebels from Lucasfilm.

Marsh said:

"The global expectations for this series could not have been any higher. And I am proud to say that the team at Lucasfilm has delivered something that has surpassed even that incredibly high bar - artistically and thematically."

Star Wars Rebels has received acclaim from critics and fans alike since its advance debut screening at San Diego Comic-Con in July, followed by special previews this week on WATCH Disney XD and other digital platforms. The series will air in 34 languages across 163 countries in over 400 million households.

Says Lucasfilm VP of Creative Development, Kiri Hart: 

"We all love making Star Wars Rebels, so we couldn't be happier that it's moving into a second season. Our fantastic creative team is dreaming up new stories for the crew of the Ghost that will expand their experience of the galaxy and deepen their heroes' journeys. The fan response to the show has been amazing, humbling and inspiring. We're looking forward to the adventure ahead."

The creative team behind the second season of Star Wars Rebels includes Executive Producers Simon Kinberg and Dave Filoni, and Co-Executive Producer and Supervising Writer Henry Gilroy.

Star Wars Rebels continues the epic story-telling tradition that has captivated generations of Star Wars fans since 1977.  Its story is set in the era between the film's prequel trilogy and original trilogy and is in a unique position to bridge the two both aesthetically and generationally.  Honoring the past while moving boldly into the future, it features fantastic icons from Star Wars while introducing a new generation to the far corners of the galaxy, one full of exotic new creatures and characters.