Disney will launch the brand new animated TV series "Stars Wars Rebels" on Oct. 3 with a one-hour TV movie entitled "Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion." It will then air the series' very first of 16 episodes on Monday, Oct. 13. But even before viewers get to watch its initial chapter, Disney had already signed on the show for a second season.

"We all love making Rebels, so we couldn't be happier that it's moving into a second season," The Hollywood Reporter quotes Kiri Hart as saying. Hart is the vice president for creative development of Lucasfilm.

Produced by Lucasfilm and Lucasfilm Animation, the show is set five years before "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope." It focuses on a tiny band of rebels amidst the ever-growing strength of the Empire. On board a freighter starship called Ghost are some of the motley crew of rebels, composed of Jedi Kanan (voiced by Freddie Prinze, Jr.), 14-year old thief and pickpocket Ezra Bridger, pilot and owner of the starship Ghost Hera Syndulla, Lasat enforcer Zeb Orrelios, combat and weapons specialist Sabine Wren, and astromech Chopper. They will go against the antagonists of the show, The Inquisitor and Agent Kallus.

"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," Hart said. "The fan response to the show has been amazing, humbling and inspiring. We're looking forward to the adventure ahead."

"Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion" will air on Disney Channels worldwide on Friday, Oct. 3, at 9 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast in 34 languages across 163 countries. The regular show will then be aired on Disney XD every Monday at 9 p.m. ET.

In a statement, Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide, 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."