The Disney+ series The Acolyte, starring Amandla Stenberg and created by Leslye Headland, won’t be returning for a second season.
The news that the show is now a one-and-done production has since set off backlash from some of the fans of the Star Wars Universe, and they’re taking to social media to let their feelings be known.
Many of those disgruntled lovers of all thing Star Wars took to Manny Jacinto’s Instagram page to wage their misgivings over the decision to cancel the show after just one season.
The actor, who appeared as Qimir, a Sith with a soft side, broke his silence by sharing a tribute to the series by posting an image of the final shot of the show, along with a single heart emoji as he bid farewell to his time in a galaxy far, far away.
Standing alongside Amandla Stenberg’s Osha the two characters can be seen holding hands side-by-side as they stare out into the sunset.
Manny Jacinto, 36, broke his silence following the cancelation of The Acolyte after one season on Disney+ by posting the final shot of season one showing his character Qimir standing side-by-side with Amandla Stenberg’s Osha
Along with the photo he posted from The Acolyte, Jacinto left a simple red heart emoji
The news came as a bit of a shock, given how much of the season one finale ended on a cliffhanger and teased several plot lines for the follow-up episodes that will likely never come.
‘You both deserved so much better’ and ‘Thank you for everything. You’ll always be part of the Star Wars family. May the Force be with you!’ were among the comments fans left after seeing the last shot on Jacinto’s Instagram page.
‘We are very heartbroken over LF’s decision—hope they reconsider. congrats to you and the cast and crew on this amazing achievement,’ wrote another heartbroken viewer.
Many people tended to tailor their comments to be more of a compliment on the work he did in the series.
‘Your character was the most interesting Star wars villain that has come out in the recent years. Not even Gideon or Kylo Ren. YOU deserved better,’ one fan proclaimed.
‘You all made SUCH an impact with your show,’ wrote another Star Wars fanatic. ‘There’s so much to be proud of with this creation omg.’
Soon after word of the cancelation came down, fans against the move started a petition to try and save the show, and quickly garnered 10,000 signatures, as reported by Collider.
Now make no mistake, there were plenty of people who were not totally happy with the way the story played out when it made its premiere on Disney+ with a two-episode release on June 4.
Jacinto broke his silence by sharing an image of the final shot of season one showing his character Qimir holding hands with Amandla Stenberg’s Osha as they held hands side-by-side while staring out into the sunset
Some of the disgruntled fans actually used their comments to compliment Jacinto’s work
Stenberg played Verosha ‘Osha’ and Mae-ho ‘Mae’ Aniseya, twin sisters who were separated by a tragedy when they were young
‘Your character was the most interesting Star wars villain that has come out in the recent years. Not even Gideon or Kylo Ren. YOU deserved better,’ one fan shared on Jacinto, which was shared by many others not happy with the cancelation
The following six episodes were released weekly through July 16.
The Acolyte actually received lower viewership ratings than previous Star Wars series and was considered divisive among fans of the franchise.
The story is set at the end of the Star Wars franchise’s High Republic era, approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and includes ‘a respected Jedi Master investigating a series of crimes that bring him into contact with a former Padawan learner and reveal sinister forces.’
Along with Stenbergand Jacinto the cast also features Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Margarita Levieva, Lauren Brady, Leah Brady, Harry Trevaldwyn, and David Harewood.
