‘The Acolyte’ Star Returns to Galaxy Far, Far Away After Being Cut From Franchise
Lucasfilm took a daring leap with The Acolyte, transporting Star Wars fans into the High Republic era, centuries before the Skywalker Saga. Under Leslye Headland’s creative direction, the series explored a darker, more intricate side of the Force, revealing the early machinations of the Sith while questioning the assumed perfection of the Jedi’s Golden Age.
The show’s bold visual and narrative approach immediately sparked intense discussion among fans. Its eight-episode arc left significant mysteries unresolved, and despite critical interest, reports indicated low viewership led to its cancellation. Many observers interpreted this as Lucasfilm yielding to vocal online critics, who often targeted the cast—Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), Manny Jacinto (The Stranger/Qimir), and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya)—as well as the creative team.
From the beginning, The Acolyte carried weight as a “female-centric” project. While celebrated for its inclusivity, it also faced criticism, with detractors labeling it “woke.” Headland, a queer woman at the helm, along with a diverse cast, positioned the series at a crossroads of innovation and resistance.
Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman later cited budget challenges as a key factor in ending the series. Yet Parrot Analytics reported The Acolyte outperformed Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, and even Ahsoka, suggesting that financial concerns, rather than fan interest, may have dictated the decision.
The series’s unresolved storylines and character arcs now linger in supplementary material. Despite its early exit, The Acolyte remains a bold experiment, highlighting both the potential and risks inherent in expanding the Star Wars narrative into less familiar territory.
Among the most notable developments in the franchise’s recent evolution is the return of Jodie Turner-Smith. After her powerful performance as Mother Aniseya, Turner-Smith is now lending her voice to an episode of Star Wars: Visions Season 3. Her comeback serves as a subtle reminder of the tensions surrounding The Acolyte’s initial release.
Turner-Smith previously criticized Lucasfilm for failing to publicly address the online harassment faced by the cast. “She put so much care and thought and love into that, and it’s disappointing to feel like your studio is not having your back in a very public-facing way,” she told Glamour Magazine in 2024.
She also reflected on the unequal dynamics actors face: “They’ve got to stop doing this thing where they don’t say anything when people are getting f***ing dog-piled on the internet with racism and bullshit. It’s just not fair to not say anything. It’s really unfair.” Turner-Smith extended the critique to broader industry inequities: “We don’t get to fail upward like a lot of white men.”
Her decision to return to Lucasfilm signals resilience, and perhaps a belief in accountability from within. She joins the English voice cast for WIT Studios’ “The Bounty Hunters” episode.
Star Wars: Visions is an animated anthology celebrating diverse storytelling and artistic vision. Debuting on Disney+ in 2021, the series invited animation studios worldwide to reimagine Star Wars, blending the Force with cultural and visual traditions unique to each studio.
Season 1 highlighted Japanese anime studios, merging samurai and cyberpunk influences. Season 2 expanded globally, collaborating with creators from Spain, Ireland, Chile, and India, broadening the franchise’s artistic scope.
Non-canonical by design, each short allows creative freedom, ranging from personal character stories to epic action sequences, all unified by Star Wars’ core themes. Season 3, arriving in 2025, continues to push boundaries and offers fans a fresh lens on the galaxy far, far away.
How do you feel about adding this Acolyte star to the new season of Star Wars: Visions? Let us know in the comments down below!
