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Lucasfilm will not be producing a second season of The Acolyte, the Star Wars Disney+ series. The first season of The Acolyte had premiered in June to less-than-enthusiastic reviews from fans, some of whom took issue with the way the film challenged the conventional perception of the Jedi as essentially virtuous characters.
News of the cancellation was first reported in Deadline, which noted that its season finale was the lowest ever for a Star Wars television show, with 335 million minutes recorded.
The Acolyte had been the brainchild of Leslye Headland of Russian Doll fame, who created a narrative about Osha and Mae, two twins separated in childhood who believed the other had been killed. The role of both twins was played by Amandla Stenberg, and their mothers, members of a coven of queer witches, were played by Jodie Turner-Smith and Margarita Levieva. Other members of the cast included Carrie-Anne Moss, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Joonas Suotamo.
The official synopsis for the now-scrapped production stated: “In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….”
News of the cancellation nonetheless came as a shock to many observers who noted that The Acolyte had recently been robustly promoted at the D23 event several weeks ago. In addition, Lucasfilm Publishing had been developing a spate of ancillary books and comics related to The Acolyte, including a Random House Worlds novel by Justina Ireland as well as Marvel’s The High Republic comic-book series.
Instead of The Acolyte, Lucasfilm will debut Skeleton Crew on December 3, with a cast comprised mostly of children. In 2025, the second (and final) season of Andor will be released, starring Diego Luna. Also in development is a second season of Ahsoka.
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