The Star Wars prequel series starring Amandla Stenberg, The Acolyte, will not return for another season as Lucasfilm has reportedly canceled the show after just one season. Created by Leslye Headland, the series explores the rise of the dark side roughly 100 years before the events of The Skywalker Saga.
The eight-episode series received mixed reviews, with some praising the fight sequences while others shared their criticism, especially for writing. As the news of its cancelations breaks out, fans have suggested that focusing on the Sith lord Darth Plagueis might have secured a second season for the show.
Leslye Headland’s Lucasfilm Cancels The Acolyte After One Season
More than a month after The Acolyte concluded its first season. The show concluded with sharing a brief glimpse at the much-awaited appearance of the Sith Lord Darth Plagueis on the mysterious planet where the Stranger had set up his base.
However, leaving the fans of the Star Wars saga with many unanswered questions regarding the prospect of the twin sisters, Osha and Mae (Amandla Stenberg), the show has reportedly been canceled just after one season.
Deadline has confirmed that the series, which initially received positive reviews but struggled to maintain audience interest, will not continue under Disney’s Star Wars slate.
The series reportedly had a high production cost, exceeding $100 million per season, and didn’t live up to the viewership threshold. The Acolyte debuted on Nielsen’s Top 10 in its premiere week.
However, it quickly fell out of the rankings by Week 3, with its finale garnering what is believed to be the lowest viewership for a Star Wars series finale. Leslye Headland has expressed a desire to continue the series and pitched ideas for a new season.
However, unlike other Star Wars shows such as The Mandalorian, which is expanding into features with The Mandalorian & Grogu, and Ahsoka, which is set to receive a second season, The Acolyte will not move forward.
Fans Believe Darth Plagueis Could Have Saved The Acolyte
The Acolyte ended with a tease that future seasons might delve deeper into the dark lord Darth Plagueis. However, fans argue that the series might have secured a second season if it had focused more on Plagueis from the start, rather than introducing him in the season finale.
Fans also suggested that the show could have landed a more stable narrative only by focusing on Qimir, portrayed by Manny Jacinto. A former Padawan to Master Vernestra, he is believed to be the apprentice of Sith lord Darth Plagueis.
Following his first mention in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Sith Lord was further explored in James Luceno’s Star Wars: Darth Plagueis.
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The novel details his ascent to power, including his betrayal of his master, Darth Tenebrous, and his mentorship of a young Palpatine, aiming to undermine the Galactic Republic and solidify the dark side’s dominance.
Despite this rich backstory, the lack of a significant on-screen presence for Plagueis had left many fans disappointed. And they were hoping to see the Sith lord in The Acolyte, which also didn’t live up to their expectations. One fan argued on Reddit,
If they’d just made the Darth Plagueis show instead of the show about Darth Plagueis’ apprentice(?)’s acolyte’s sister… it probably would have done better.
Others also echoed the sentiment, arguing that focusing on Darth Plagueis would have greatly improved the show, offering a long-awaited exploration of the Sith Lord’s origins.
The Acolyte is available to watch on Disney+.
