The Challenge of Being Authentic: The Acolyte and its Struggle for Diversity in the Galaxy

We live in a diverse world, full of cultures, ethnicities, genders, and opinions, and that richness should be reflected in the audiovisual productions we consume every day. However, there are still those who react with intolerance towards inclusion in stories, something that is difficult to understand, especially in such a rich and expansive franchise like Star Wars. With so many galaxies to explore, characters to meet, and traditions to discover, why not tell stories from different points of view? Why not choose a diverse cast that represents the plurality of our world?

Before its release, The Acolyte received positive reviews, with a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a generally favorable evaluation from the press. However, despite this recognition, negative reviews from a portion of the audience began long before the series aired. These critiques mainly focused on the racial, gender, and sexual diversity represented in the plot and characters, and intensified as the release approached. While not all of the public’s criticisms were driven by prejudice after the series began airing, and it is valid that some people did not connect with the series for personal or narrative reasons, a significant portion was marked by racism, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia, and the level of hate unleashed against inclusion and diversity was undeniable.

This constant attack overshadowed the opportunity to enjoy a diverse and inclusive story. Many, already influenced by these negative comments, refused to watch the series, convinced it was bad. However, those who decided to give it a chance discovered that The Acolyte is, in fact, a fun, entertaining, passionate, and intense series, filled with wonderful action sequences, a complex villain, a surprising story, interesting twists, fantastic performances, well-developed characters, and an emotional connection that truly captivates the viewer. Additionally, the series presented relevant themes of inclusion and diversity that resonated deeply with those seeking authentic representation in the media.

On August 19, it was announced that The Acolyte would not be renewed for a second season, just a month after the last episode aired. This news was a hard blow for the fans of the series and, especially, for the actors and creators who worked on it. The way the cancellation was announced was even more unfortunate, as it coincided with the birthday of Manny Jacinto, the antagonist of the story, who was genuinely honored and happy to have participated in the series. Beyond the disappointment of the abrupt ending, what truly stands out is how the hateful comments towards the series increased over time, especially on the actors' social media. Amandla Stenberg was the most affected, receiving thousands of hateful comments on her posts, which is truly shocking and outrageous. While it has not been confirmed that the hateful comments towards the series were the main cause of its cancellation, it is clear that they had an impact on its reception and possibly contributed to its premature conclusion.

According to information shared by Twitter user @kaylie_rhea, who attended the Fan Expo in San Francisco a few days ago, Manny Jacinto revealed that Leslye Headland, the creator of The Acolyte, had planned three seasons and a movie for the series. Leslye, who also faced horrible attacks for being a queer director, directed the first two episodes of the series and worked hard to deliver an innovative and diverse story that sadly did not have the opportunity to fully develop.

Lee Jung-jae, another actor who participated in the series, expressed his pain over the attacks, recognizing how difficult it is to face such comments. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Lee said¨My feelings were hurt... especially for Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot.” Though Lee was aware of the passionate Star Wars fandom, he was still “shocked” by the racist backlash. “I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard¨. This statement confirms that both the actors and the creative team faced constant attacks while Disney remained silent. Two years ago, the company sent a powerful message: “There are more than 20 million sentient species in the Star Wars galaxy, don’t choose to be a racist.” However, their inaction in this situation casts doubt on their commitment to diversity and inclusion, leaving a bitter contradiction between their words and their actions.

The first to speak out was Amandla Stenberg. A few days after the series' cancellation, she posted a 10-minute video on Instagram, where she shared that she wasn't so surprised by the abrupt cancellation of the series. She was one of the first to openly talk about the racism The Acolyte faced, while also thanking the fans who supported and loved the series.

Weeks later, Jodie Turner-Smith, in her interview with Glamour, spoke about the difficulties she and other cast members, like Amandla Stenberg, faced due to the racist attacks around The Acolyte. Jodie said that Black women face a unique pressure in the entertainment industry and do not have the same margin of error as others. She commented: "The racism that we face as Black women in this industry is undeniable, and it's often not talked about. You have to be stronger, smarter, better. We're not given the same leeway that white men are."

Additionally, Jodie expressed that she did not receive the proper support from Disney when the racist attacks intensified: "It was a really difficult experience, and what frustrated me the most was the lack of support. I didn’t feel like Disney did enough to back us up, especially when we were being attacked so openly."

What stands out most in this situation is how intolerance and racism not only affect the creators and actors but also the audiences, who are even attacked on social media for expressing their love for the show. While some negative comments towards The Acolyte may have been for personal or narrative reasons, much of it was focused on the racial, gender, and sexual diversity that the series represented. This leaves us with a great reflection: how can we continue celebrating diversity on screen if every time we take a step toward inclusion, it faces such a destructive wave of hate? If we do not learn to value stories that reflect the world as it is, with its contrasts and diverse realities, we are not only failing as a society, but we are losing the opportunity to create a more inclusive and tolerant future.

"How do you deal with a world that doesn´t accept who you authentically are?" This question from Manny Jacinto resonates now more than ever in the context of The Acolyte, a series that has been attacked but continues to be celebrated for its values of inclusion and diversity. In these past months, more and more people are discovering The Acolyte and are shocked by its cancellation, raising their voices to demand a second season. Every day, new fans join the call for justice for this series, which has been recognized by several journalistic articles as one of the best shows of 2024. These same articles not only highlight its quality but also emphasize how disappointing it is to see such an innovative series not receive the continuation it deserves. Hope remains: The Acolyte has a bright future, and the fans will not stop fighting for it.

Photo: Disney. Star Wars Celebration 2023

Photo: Disney. Star Wars

Photo: Disney. Star Wars

Photo: Disney. Star Wars

Photo: Disney. Star Wars