Disney Co-Chairman Explains The Acolyte’s Season One Cancellation

While Lucasfilm is currently basking in the success of its new series, Skeleton Crew, it’s important to note that it’s not the only Star Wars installment to debut on Disney+ this year. This past summer, the studio launched The Acolyte, a show focused on the Sith and set approximately a century prior to Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. The eight-episode series generated mixed reviews, and it was just a month after its season finale that Disney and Lucasfilm confirmed the series would not return for a second season.

In a recent conversation with Vulture, Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, provided insight into the decision to discontinue The Acolyte. “Regarding Acolyte, we were pleased with its performance, but it didn’t meet our expectations, especially considering the production costs associated with the title. That’s essentially why we chose not to move forward with a second season,” Bergman explained.

When asked about the prospects for Skeleton Crew securing a second season—a privilege that The Acolyte did not enjoy—Bergman responded, “Skeleton Crew is currently in development, and we’re seeing some positive growth from that. We’ll see how it progresses.”

The cancellation of The Acolyte sparked mixed reactions among Star Wars enthusiasts; for some, it validated their view that the series did not meet the franchise’s esteemed standards, while others felt disappointment at the loss of the show. According to Bergman, the decision to cancel the series was not a reflection of its quality or Lucasfilm’s commitment but rather a practical consideration related to its production costs and viewer metrics.

In the same interview, Bergman also hinted at exciting developments on the horizon for Star Wars fans, expressing enthusiasm for an upcoming title. He stated, “As for what’s on the way, we’re thrilled about Andor season 2. It’s outstanding. I’ve viewed all the episodes, and it’s truly a remarkable season. Additionally, we have Ahsoka season 2, which is being spearheaded by Dave Filoni. We’re also exploring several other series that are currently in various stages of development, so we’ll see how that shapes up.”

The Acolyte season 1 is now available for streaming on Disney+.