Disney+ dropped the ball on Manny Jacinto’s birthday. The Acolyte won’t be returning for season 2, which is a major letdown for fans & Jacinto alike.

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Manny Jacinto, the Canadian actor who recently celebrated his birthday (August 19), has undeniably climbed the Hollywood ladder rung by rung, proving that talent & perseverance can make even the tallest mountain surmountable. With his latest role in Disney’s Star Wars: The Acolyte, Jacinto has garnered a fresh army of fans, adding to the millions who first adored him on NBC’s The Good Place. 
The show’s success has been marred by Disney+’s decision to end its series after just one season. Amandla Stenberg in The Acolyte (2024) | Credit: Lucasfilm
Now, Jacinto’s acting chops are no secret; he’s been around the block and has played his cards in both big blockbusters and TV shows. From his minor role in Top Gun: Maverick to a slew of other impressive gigs, he’s been sharpening his skills like a lightsaber. But despite the buzz around his The Acolyte performance, the ride hasn’t been entirely smooth. Disney+ recently pulled the plug on the sci-fi series after just one season, leaving fans astonished.

What Happened to Manny Jacinto’s The Acolyte: No Season Two on Disney+?

So, while Manny Jacinto was probably hoping to celebrate his birthday with a second-season renewal and more adventures in a galaxy far, far away, he’ll have to settle for a different kind of birthday gift—one that’s definitely not wrapped in a lightsaber.

According to the report from Variety and Deadline, Disney+ has thrown in the towel on The Acolyte after just one season. So, it looks like there will be no further exploration of those tantalizing new plot twists or deep dives into the galaxy’s dark corners.

Created by Leslye Headland, the series took viewers on a ride a hundred years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. It centered on a former Padawan (Amandla Stenberg) who joins forces with her Jedi Master to untangle a web of sinister mysteries involving a series of Jedi murders.
Thanks to his role in Disney’s Star Wars: The Acolyte, Manny Jacinto is garnering a sizable fan following. Manny Jacinto in The Acolyte | Credit: Lucasfilm
Note that Headland had earlier teased big plans for a second season, hinting at “four or five major mysteries” still waiting to be unraveled (via Entertainment Weekly).

With her die-hard dedication to the franchise, the series’ viewership started strong, racking up 11.1 million views within the first five days of streaming. However, the momentum fizzled out, and by the third week, the show had vanished from Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 chart (see TVLine)—though it did make a brief comeback for the season finale.

Manny Jacinto, who dazzled as the enigmatic and villainous Qimir, brought a darkly intriguing performance to the series. It’s no surprise fans have praised his role, even in the wake of the show’s untimely demise.

Disappointed Fans Share Their Thoughts on The Acolyte’s Fate

Fans are left in shock, their expectations turned to stardust. Manny Jacinto in The Acolyte | Credit: Lucasfilm
The Acolyte began its journey on Disney+ in June and concluded in July, delving into previously unexplored facets of the dark side. While some fans were intrigued by the fresh angle, others were left wondering if the show would ever see a second chapter. Manny Jacinto has previously expressed his hopes for another season (via IGN).

Jacinto shared, expressing his admiration for co-star Amandla Stenberg:

I don’t know how we were able to get through this, but we did. We did it with each other. Amandla is a professional – she’s so smart. I sound so dumb whenever I am next to her because she’s wise beyond her years. Fingers crossed we get to do it again. 

As the final credits roll, fans are left to mull over the fate of The Acolyte. Let’s delve into the chorus of fan reactions:

Leslye Headland also hinted at a continuation with more twists and turns. In an interview with Inverse in July, she spoke about Darth Plagueis with a glimmer of hope but a dash of doubt:

He’s definitely a signifier of things to come if we end up moving forward. Osha and the Stranger are aligned. Literally the last shot of the show is the two of them holding the same lightsaber.

Jacinto himself was keeping his “fingers crossed” for a return, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. So, while The Good Place actor might have hoped for a more stellar birthday gift, he’ll have to content himself with the knowledge that even in a galaxy far, far away, not every story gets its happy ending.

The Acolyte is currently streaming on Disney+.