Disney+ has decided not to renew The Acolyte, the Star Wars spinoff series that debuted on June 4, 2024, for a second season. The Acolyte was set approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, a period unexplored in previous Star Wars.
Also Read: The Union Review: A Netflix Action Flick with Star Power but Lacking Substance
The Acolyte was set approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. This positioned the series during the final days of the era, a time period that had not been explored in previous Star Wars.
The show’s narrative centered on shadowy secrets and the emergence of dark-side powers, providing a mystery-thriller angle to the Star Wars universe.
The storyline followed a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes. However they soon realize that the forces they are up against are far more sinister than they had anticipated.
The series starred Amandla Stenberg in a dual role as twin sisters Osha and Mae. The two sisters were separated during childhood with Osha training as a Padawan under a respected Jedi Master, while Mae aligned herself with the Dark Side.
The show’s cast included actors like Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman and Carrie-Anne Moss.
The Acolyte premiered with fanfare on June 4, 2024 with two episodes released simultaneously. The series gained 4.8 million views on its first day making it the biggest series premiere on Disney+ in 2024.
Within five days of its release, the viewership climbed to 11.1 million views globally. This strong debut was reflected in its appearance on Nielsen’s Top 10 originals chart, where it initially ranked No. 7 with 488 million minutes viewed.
In its second week, the series even managed to climb to the No. 6 spot on the chart.
The Acolyte received a decent reception, scoring 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. However while some critics praised the show for its unique take on the Star Wars universe and its exploration of the dark side of the Force.
By the third week of its release, the series had dropped out of Nielsen’s Top 10 originals chart. Although it briefly reappeared at No. 10 following the release of its season finale, the viewership for the finale was lower with only 335 million minutes viewed.
One of the primary factors behind the cancellation of The Acolyte was its high production costs. With a budget exceeding $100 million per season.
The show distinguished itself by venturing outside the core timeline that traditionally spans from The Phantom Menace to The Rise of Skywalker.
Also Read: Alien: Romulus Review: A Fresh Return to the Franchise’s Roots
Headland’s vision included challenging the traditional portrayal of the Jedi as infallible heroes. This was embodied by the character Jedi Master Sol, whose morally questionable actions were central to the story’s conflict.
The story of The Acolyte is around twins Osha and Mae, both portrayed by Amandla Stenberg. Separated as children and led to believe the other had perished, their journey became a narrative thread.
A twist in the series was the reveal that Mae’s hapless sidekick, Qimir, was actually a Sith warrior in disguise. This revelation set the stage for a cliffhanger that teased further conflict and exploration of the dark side of the Force in a potential Season 2.
The season finale left numerous plot threads dangling with many viewers expecting these to be addressed in a subsequent season.
Headland had previously mentioned having four or five major mysteries she hoped to explore further.
The Acolyte became a target of review bombing, a practice where users flood a platform with negative reviews often as a form of protest against inclusive casting decisions.
In this case the presence of actors of color and LGBTQ characters Osha and Mae’s mothers likely contributed to this phenomenon.
While The Acolyte had a strong start drawing in 11.1 million views within its first five days, viewership declined as the season progressed.
The series dropped out of Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 chart by the third week but managed to return at the #10 spot for the finale.
Despite the end of The Acolyte Lucasfilm and Disney+ have several other Star Wars projects in the lineup. “Skeleton Crew,” a series aimed at younger audiences with an Amblin-style adventure tone and it is set to premiere on December 3, 2024.
Additionally the political drama “Andor” will return for a second and final season in 2025 and a second season of Ahsoka is also in development.
Also Read: Jackpot Review: Awkwafina and John Cena Shine in a Dystopian Action-Comedy
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25580254/PDX_FF_003610.jpg)
