Star Wars actors are beginning to react to The Acolyte‘s cancelation. Created by Leslye Headland, The Acolyte introduced viewers to the High Republic Era – the golden age of the Jedi and the Republic, which came to an end roughly a century before the Skywalker saga. After a divisive first season, The Acolyte has become Star Wars‘ first official Disney+ cancelation; Headland’s plans for The Acolyte season 2 have officially come to an end.

It’s sad news for Star Wars fans, but even more so for the actors themselves. Now, responses are beginning to emerge on social media, with Manny Jacinto sharing a simple image with a heart on Instagram.

A picture speaks a thousand words. Jacinto has described this as one of the most powerful moments in the whole production, as he and Amandla Stenberg stood on the beach in Madeira, Portugal, reflecting on their accomplishment in making a Star Wars TV show. It’s bittersweet now, because they are now facing a horizon that will never be explored.

The Cast Of The Acolyte Are Understandably Shaken

Star Amandla Stenberg – who played the twins Mae and Osha – has remained silent on social media so far. Sadly, that hasn’t stopped trolls bombarding her Instagram posts with mocking comments, and Star Wars sequel trilogy actor John Boyega has backed Stenberg with a simple meme saluting her. It’s clear that, to Boyega, there’s a narrative throughline between the shameful way some treated his character Finn and the current reaction to Stenberg.

Manny Jacinto is the first of the main cast to issue any kind of comment on The Acolyte‘s cancelation, and it’s telling that he uses an image in which he stands side by side with Amandla Stenberg – as though offering support and encouragement to her. No doubt there will be more soon from the actor, though, because he has a number of major panels and interviews going forward. Jacinto’s performance in The Acolyte has cemented his place as a rising star, and justifiably so. Jacinto is already confirmed to be attending Star Wars Celebration 2025.

The cast of The Acolyte can surely take solace from the fact that – despite the vocal backlash and review-bombing campaign – they’ve clearly won the hearts of a devoted fanbase. There’s been an outpouring of sorrow on social media after The Acolyte‘s cancelation, and a petition calling for the show’s renewal has passed 17,000 signatures at time of writing. What’s more, Lucasfilm has confirmed a number of tie-ins for The Acolyte, all of which are still going ahead. The show may be over, but the story will surely go on.