A year after the show’s cancellation, The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland discussed her Star Wars show and what surprised her about the decision.
What did The Acolyte creator say about the cancelled Star Wars show?
During an interview with The Wrap, Headland spoke about The Acolyte, which only lasted one season on Disney+. Headland said that both “viewership and creative” were reasons why the show was canceled. Ultimately, the show’s short run did not shock Headland.
“I was not surprised by it,” Headland said. “I think I was surprised at the swiftness of it and the publicness of it. I was surprised by how it was handled. But once I was getting particular phone calls about the reaction and the criticism and the viewership, I felt like ‘OK, the writing’s on the wall for sure.'”
According to Luminate, The Acolyte was the second-most viewed show on Disney+ in 2024. However, viewership did drop off after the first two episodes.
“I feel like for a launch of a first-season show that was trying different things, I think it could have been worth it to allow the audience it was meant for to find it,” Headland explained. “But that wasn’t up to me. So I fully respect the decision, even if I’m sad about it.”
Set at the end of the High Republic, The Acolyte follows a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes. The cast included Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Manny Jacinto.
The Acolyte received low audience scores from fans and became subject to review bombing and racist vitriol. Despite the unfair attacks, Headland remains a fan of a galaxy far, far away.
“I have no regrets, and I’m absolutely obsessed with Star Wars,” Headland added. “I still am, and I love my show, and I know that it was wonderful.”
Stream The Acolyte on Disney+.
