Disney+ Cancels $180M ‘Star Wars’ Prequel Series ‘The Acolyte’ After One Season

Lucasfilm has made the decision to cancel its high-budget prequel series, The Acolyte, just over a month after the first season’s finale aired on Disney+.

According to sources cited by Deadline, the mystery-thriller series, set a century before George Lucas’ prequel films, will not proceed to a second season. The show explored how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi during the last days of the High Republic era.

The Acolyte was a pioneering series, as it was the first Star Wars property created by an out queer person, two-time Emmy nominee Leslye Headland. Headland told the New York Times in May that the project had a staggering budget of approximately $180 million, translating to about $22.5 million per episode.

The series featured Amandla Stenberg playing twin sisters Mae-ho ‘Mae’ Aniseya and Verosha ‘Osha’ Aniseya. The story followed Osha, who becomes a Padawan and reunites with her Jedi Master, Sol (Lee Jung-jae), to investigate a series of crimes.

The Acolyte also boasted an ensemble cast including Carrie-Anne Moss, Jodie Turner-Smith, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Manny Jacinto, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Margarita Levieva, Lauren Brady, Leah Brady, Harry Trevaldwyn, and David Harewood.

Despite its high production value and a ‘certified fresh’ 78% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show’s audience score plummeted to a mere 18%, largely attributed to a review-bombing campaign. The first two episodes received a strong audience, racking up 11.1 million views globally within the first five days of its June 4 launch. However, this momentum waned, and the show did not maintain viewer interest through its July 16 finale, notwithstanding a special cameo by Jedi Master Yoda.

In related news, the future of The Mandalorian appears uncertain. Though a fourth season seems less likely, the plot will be transitioned into a film titled The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is set for a theatrical release on May 22, 2026. Creator Jon Favreau and producer Dave Filoni have confirmed that production has recently begun. During the D23 event on August 9, Favreau addressed fans at the Anaheim Convention Center, sharing a preview of the upcoming movie.

While one era ends for The Acolyte, Lucasfilm has confirmed that a second season is in development for The Mandalorian spin-off series Ahsoka. The series stars Rosario Dawson as the former Jedi apprentice, Ahsoka Tano.

Moreover, fans of Percy Jackson and The Olympians will be pleased to know that the series has secured a second season on Disney+. In contrast, shows like American Born Chinese, Renegade Nell, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law have all been canceled.

Source: Deadline