Lucasfilm has opted not to move forward with a second season of “The Acolyte,” the Star Wars series on Disney+ that starred Amandla Stenberg. The decision comes a little over a month after the eight-episode first season, created by Leslye Headland, concluded its run on the streaming platform.
“The Acolyte” was a mystery-thriller set during the final days of the High Republic era, exploring dark-side powers and hidden secrets in the galaxy. The story followed a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, only to encounter more sinister forces than they anticipated. In addition to Stenberg, the series featured a star-studded cast including Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
The news of the cancellation is not entirely unexpected. While the series received a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it elicited mixed reactions from Star Wars fans, which was reflected in its viewership numbers. “The Acolyte” debuted strongly, with its first two episodes generating 4.8 million views on the day of its release, making it the biggest series premiere on Disney+ this year. However, interest waned in subsequent weeks, with the show eventually dropping out of Nielsen’s Top 10 originals chart after its third week.
High production costs are likely a factor in the decision not to renew. Disney+, like other global streaming services, maintains high viewership expectations for renewing big-budget series that cost over $100 million per season to produce.
While “The Acolyte” won’t return, other Star Wars series on Disney+ are continuing. “The Mandalorian,” the platform’s most successful Star Wars series, is set to expand into feature films with “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” Additionally, “Ahsoka,” which preceded “The Acolyte,” has been renewed for a second season.
The next Star Wars series on Disney+, “Skeleton Crew,” is set to debut on December 3, featuring a predominantly young cast and an approach inspired by 1980s kid-adventure films. Following that, the final season of “Andor,” starring Diego Luna, is scheduled for release in 2025, with a second season of “Ahsoka” currently in development.