Disney+ cancels Star Wars: The Acolyte after poor reviews and low viewership

Star Wars: The Acolyte has become one of Disney’s biggest failures both critically and in viewership, and the series has now been cancelled. Creator and showrunner Leslye Headland, speaking to The Wrap, said the story deserved at least one more season and that true fans would have especially enjoyed a second instalment.

“I think that, for the release of a first season that was trying to do different things, it would have been worth allowing the audience it was aimed at to fully discover the story. But it wasn't up to me. I fully respect the decision, although it saddens me,” Headland said.

The Disney+ drama set out to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe during the High Republic era and to examine the origins of the dark side. Despite that ambition, the series faltered narratively and divided the fandom. Critics and viewers pointed to structural problems, a limited emotional connection to the characters and uneven pacing, which undermined a production that on paper had many promising elements.

Some viewers and members of the cast continue to call for more episodes. Fans have floated several revival theories, including shifting the focus toward the figure of Darth Plagueis to reconnect with darker aspects of Star Wars lore—such as the rise of the dark side, Force manipulation and Sith schemes that would lead into the events of The Phantom Menace.

For now there is no official indication that the series will be revived.