It’s been a few days since the Star Wars fandom learned that The Acolyte will not return for a second season. The show faced controversy even before its release, with many fans and critics pointing out its noticeable shortcomings across various aspects. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the viewership figures, this news may not be surprising, as the show had been losing viewers steadily each week.

Despite its issues, the show had a few episodes that managed to redeem it somewhat, though they came too late to make a significant impact. One of the standout elements was Manny Jacinto’s portrayal of Qimir, a newly introduced Sith Lord who appeared to have connections to Darth Plagueis.

The announcement that The Acolyte won’t be renewed for a second season has hit some fans hard. In response, the hashtag #SaveTheAcolyte began trending, and a Change.org petition was launched urging Disney to reconsider. While we await the outcome of these efforts, other major stars have shown their support for Manny Jacinto, including Simu Liu, best known as MCU’s Shang-Chi.

Simu Liu took to X to back Jacinto, describing him as a refreshing addition to the franchise and complimenting his physique.

You brought such a breath of fresh air to your franchise, and your passion for your character was felt through every look, every movement, and every close up bicep shot

Here’s to you @MannyJacinto; a true artist, an absolute badass and sexy as all hell!! pic.twitter.com/dhWvGyDDxE

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 24, 2024

Simu Liu and Manny Jacinto are two of the most prominent Asian actors right now, and their careers have taken a similar trajectory. Both rose to fame through beloved, critically acclaimed sitcoms before moving on to lead roles in Disney-owned action franchises. Although Jacinto’s future in the Star Wars universe is currently uncertain, recent rumors suggest that Shang-Chi 2 is in development, with Liu offering some hopeful updates.

What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below!