Amandla Stenberg, star of the now-canceled Disney+ series The Acolyte, recently shared her thoughts on the show’s abrupt end, revealing that she wasn’t entirely surprised by the decision. The series, set within the Star Wars universe, faced a barrage of racist and hateful attacks from internet trolls, who seemed unable to accept the idea of a strong Black woman leading a franchise within this beloved galaxy.
Speaking out on Instagram Stories, Stenberg reflected on the intense backlash she and the cast endured since the series was announced. The actress, who portrayed twin characters Osha and Mae, who find themselves on opposite sides of The Force, candidly discussed the challenges of working in such a hostile environment. “I’m going to be really honest — the cancellation didn’t shock me,” Stenberg admitted. “I’ve been living in my own bubble, but for those who haven’t been following, the hate started even before anyone saw a single episode. It’s been relentless, with hyper-conservative bigotry and hateful language aimed at us from day one.”
The Acolyte, helmed by showrunner Leslye Headland, creator of Russian Doll, was a groundbreaking addition to the Star Wars franchise. Set approximately 100 years before The Phantom Menace, the show promised to explore a previously untouched era in the galaxy’s history. The series boasted a diverse cast, including South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae, British-Spanish actress Dafne Keen, British actress Jodie Turner-Smith, and Canadian star Carrie-Anne Moss. Despite its critical success and an inclusive lineup, the show’s debut was marred by vitriolic fan reactions, which Stenberg says reflected the divisive times we live in.
In a heartfelt 10-page Instagram Stories post, Stenberg, known for her roles in Bodies Bodies Bodies and The Hate U Give, shared how this experience brought to the surface numerous social and political issues, challenging her value system. “This journey has been eye-opening for me, not just professionally but personally. It forced me to confront how I respond to hatred and how I navigate the world as a Black woman in such a high-profile role,” she explained. “At a certain point, it became impossible to ignore that to stay true to myself, I had to speak out, even while working under the massive Star Wars IP and within Disney’s corporate framework.”
Despite its critical acclaim, the show suffered from review-bombing by trolls who took it upon themselves to tank its user ratings. While it’s unclear if these negative reviews directly led to the show’s cancellation, Lucasfilm announced on August 19 that no further episodes would be produced, leaving several major storylines unresolved.
Stenberg took a moment to express her gratitude to the Lucasfilm team, calling them “a fucking awesome group.” She also praised Headland, whom she described as “one of the best people in the world,” acknowledging the profound impact Headland had on the series.
The actress ended her post by reflecting on the larger societal issues at play, wondering how such a celebrated show could be cut short due to the racism and fear that seem to dominate parts of the fanbase. “It’s clear to me that the hyper-divisiveness we’re seeing today is fueled by echo chambers and algorithms that reinforce our biases,” Stenberg wrote. “This affects everyone, but for certain groups, it manifests as fear of change and hatred toward anything that doesn’t fit their narrow view.”
In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, another cast member from The Acolyte, Lee Jung-jae, shared his surprise at the show’s cancellation. Known for his role in the Netflix sensation Squid Game, Lee noted that his character had died in the first season, so he wasn’t expecting to return. However, he expressed disappointment over the cancellation, praising Headland’s talent. “I was genuinely looking forward to seeing what she would do with a second season,” he said. “Her storytelling was phenomenal, and it’s a shame that we won’t get to see where the story would have gone.”
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