Disney XD has renewed "Star Wars Rebels" for a third season, set to premiere in 2016.

The news, broken by TV Insider, arrives ahead of the animated series' Dec. 12 fall finale and the eagerly anticipated Dec. 18 premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Set between the events of "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope," "Star Wars Rebels" follows a ragtag group of heroes as they strike back against the Empire's tightening grip. The second season has seen the introduction of fan-favorite "Clone Wars" characters Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex as regular characters, and the unveiling of a new threat in the form of the Inquisitor the Seventh Sister.

"Star Wars Rebels" ranks as Disney XD's No. 2 series in total viewers (1.3 million), kids 6-11, boys 6-11 and boys 2-11. It's also the cable channel's top show among adults 18-49 and men 18-49.

“We’re very proud of our incredibly creative 'Rebels' team,” Kiri Hart, Lucasfilm's senior vice president of development, said in a statement. “The show continues to tell fun, heartfelt, exciting new Star Wars stories week after week, and it’s beloved by fans of all ages. Season Three will see our rebel heroes face new obstacles and find new allies in their fight against the Empire.”

Airing Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD, "Star Wars Rebels" stars Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, Dee Bradley Baker as Captain Rex, Captain Gregor and Commander Wolffe, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the Seventh Sister Inquisitor.