In a recent Instagram Story, Amandla Stenberg shared her reaction to the cancellation of the Disney+ series ‘The Acolyte’, expressing that while she is saddened by its end, she was not entirely surprised. “I’m going to be transparent and say it’s not a huge shock for me,” Stenberg revealed. She attributed her lack of surprise to the intense backlash the series faced even before it premiered, describing a wave of “hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol” directed at the show.
Stenberg explained that from the moment ‘The Acolyte’ was announced, the team encountered “prejudice, hatred and hateful language” from certain segments of the Star Wars fandom. Despite the negativity, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the series, calling it “an incredible honour” and a long-time dream to be involved in the Star Wars universe.
Image Courtesy: People
The actress acknowledged her disappointment over the cancellation but also offered thanks to those who supported the show amid the hostility. “I just want to let those people know out there who supported us in that way, and supported us vocally — despite and in the face of all of the vitriol that we received and the kind of targeted attack, I would say, we received by the alt-right — just that you were deeply loved and appreciated,” she said.
Stenberg’s comments highlight the challenging environment surrounding the series, which struggled with online attacks from the alt-right. Despite the difficulties, she emphasised that the support from fans made her role in the series “all worthwhile.”
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, has also addressed the series’ cancellation, stating her pride in the project. Kennedy noted that “storytelling does need to be representative of all people” and acknowledged the difficulties faced by writer and director Leslye Headland, who was the first woman to helm a Star Wars television spinoff.
Headland’s experience reflects the broader challenges faced by the series, which aimed to introduce new narratives and perspectives to the Star Wars franchise. Despite its short run, ‘The Acolyte’ left a significant impact and sparked important discussions about representation and inclusivity in storytelling.
-Sushmita Sarkar