Earlier this week, the most recent Star Wars live-action series, The Acolyte, was abruptly canceled barely a month after its first and only season on Disney+. The initial reports suggest that the show was doomed by audience drop-off despite having one of the largest premieres on Disney+ in 2024.
The show was also departure from previous Star Wars series because it explored the High Republic-era, set over a century before the original movie. The series chronicled the lives and choices of two twin sisters, Osha and Mae–both of whom were portrayed by Amandla Stenberg–as they encountered a previously unknown Force-sensitive Sith, Qimir/the Stranger (Manny Jacinto).
Although there were extremely vocal negative responses to the show, The Acolyte also had its ardent defenders who genuinely loved it. Now that the news about The Acolyte’s fate has sunk in, fans are taking to social media to share their reactions.
Many of the responses are centered on their desire to see more of Qimir, with plenty of praise for Jacinto’s acting on the series.
We finally get a new Sith, and with that some of the most bad-ass lightsaber fights we’ve seen in YEARS, with an actor who did *most of his own stunts*…and the cancelation announcement arrives on his birthday. Manny Jacinto, you deserved better. #TheAcolyte #RenewTheAcolyte pic.twitter.com/Uw9Vy0sFRd
— Matt (Sgs.cosplay) (@StrungShort) August 20, 2024
No I’m sorry wdym it’s cancelled after literally being the second most watched Star Wars show???? They just brought Manny out to D23 for a panel and had him say he wanted a S2 but they cancelled it??? This show brought in so many new fans why would they do this pic.twitter.com/OW9aNe2t9t
— 𝓔𝓶 💫 (@emkenobi) August 19, 2024
Other responses are lamenting the apparent state of the streaming era, which don’t allow shows like The Acolyte enough time to grow its audience.
What a shitty timeline we’re in. Legitimately awful. No room for projects to grow their audiences. Just instant dismissal for the people who worked on #TheAcolyte, Willow, and a hundred other shows. All because of shortsighted business. Streaming is mostly a plague at this point. https://t.co/ZDd8Wp3DwZ
— Alden Diaz 🎙️ (@ThatAldenDiaz) August 19, 2024
#TheAcolyte was transformative. and i’ll never regret supporting and screaming about a show that made so many women, queer people and poc feel seen in a narrative that is normally so white and male centric. the cast and crew created something beautiful and something loved. pic.twitter.com/O65dQB45D5
— phantom of the dystopia✨ (@thislilstangirl) August 20, 2024
If you are CELEBRATING the cancelation of #TheAcolyte you are not a real Star Wars fan.
Here are some of the comments on Amandla’s most recent post. Absolutely pathetic that people think this kind of harassment is ever warranted. pic.twitter.com/noXiBhuOqm— Echo SillyGoose Domino 🇵🇸 (@BlueRecon17) August 20, 2024
Some fans aren’t willing to give up the fight for the show, out of the belief that The Acolyte could still be saved.
Every episode of The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+.
