The Hollywood Reporter has definitively confirmed that "The Acolyte" will not be gracing our screens with a second season. Lucasfilm has made the decision to halt the progression of this Disney+ "Star Wars" series, which recently concluded its inaugural run with a season finale last month.
Crafted by the visionary Leslye Headland, the show garnered commendable notices from critics yet struggled to captivate audiences, with a mere 18% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It faced a backlash, particularly from quarters that deemed it overly "woke," leading to a review-bombing campaign that unfairly targeted Headland, a prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the show's diverse cast.
In June, Headland expressed her heartfelt disappointment, sharing, "Honestly, I feel sad that people would think that if something were gay, that that would be bad. It's saddening to witness a section of the internet attempt to dismantle what I consider my most cherished artistic endeavor."
Amidst this controversy, star Amandla Stenberg bravely countered racist backlash with a poignant original song on social media, showcasing her resilience in the face of adversity.
"It was an easy target," remarked a source close to the situation, linking the backlash to the show's unfortunate cancellation. "And it undoubtedly tarnished the public's perception of the series."
Set approximately a century prior to "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace," "The Acolyte" centered on Amandla Stenberg's dual roles as the estranged twin sisters, Osha and Mae. Osha, a former Padawan under a respected Jedi Master, stood in stark contrast to Mae, who embraced the Dark Side.
The ensemble cast boasted an impressive lineup, including Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie-Turner Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, Manny Jacinto, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Joonas Suotamo, among others. The series concluded on intriguing cliffhangers, even teasing the potential return of the beloved character Yoda. Furthermore, Manny Jacinto's villainous The Stranger emerged as a fan-favorite, with Hasbro even releasing a life-size helmet of the character.
However, despite its captivating narrative and intriguing characters, viewership figures failed to reach the threshold necessary to justify a second season, sources revealed. Additionally, the evolving landscape of streaming preferences and a waning goodwill towards "Star Wars" series may have also contributed to this decision.
