The Acolyte has been canceled after just one season, despite that massive cliffhanger

The Acolyte
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

The Acolyte season 2 will not be happening. 

Deadline broke the news, reporting that Lucasfilm made the decision to scrap the show. The publication notes that, while The Acolyte had Disney Plus's biggest premiere of the year, it wasn't able to sustain its viewership, with the final episode generating what's believed to be the lowest viewership figure for a Star Wars finale, per Nielsen. 

The show had a vocal fanbase online, though, with a fan campaign to #RenewTheAcolyte launching shortly after the finale. 

The first season of the Star Wars spin-off came to a dramatic end earlier this year, which left several loose threads that will now be left unresolved. At the end of season 1, Mae and Osha parted ways once again after the truth of their mother's death came to light. Osha killed her former Master Sol in a dramatic final stand-off, before she chose the dark side and followed Qimir. The pair then wiped Mae's memories to be sure that she could not share their whereabouts with the Jedi Order.

Meanwhile, Vernestra Rwoh covered up the rise of the Sith to the Jedi Council by pinning the deaths on Kelnacca on Sol. It was also revealed that Qimir was her former student, setting up some unfinished business between the pair. The finale featured some big cameos, too, with Darth Plagueis hovering in the background of Qimir's planet and none other than Yoda appearing in the final few moments.

Showrunner Leslye Headland had previously told Collider that she had pitched The Acolyte as a "multi-season show." She added: "There are a lot of things at the end of this season that I think are narrative threads that are not tied up, for sure."

Next up for live-action Star Wars is Skeleton Crew, which hits Disney Plus this December. For more from the galaxy far, far away, here are all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows you need to know about.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

With contributions from
Read more
Amandla Stenberg (Mae) in The Acolyte
Despite being canceled for low viewership, Star Wars series The Acolyte was the second most-viewed Disney Plus show last year
the acolyte
The Acolyte star says the Star Wars show's cancelation was "overwhelming," but she's still "proud" of playing a Jedi: "Bucket list ticked"
Neel in Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew ending explained: the truth about the Supervisor, Jod's Jedi abilities, and more
Jod Na Nawood holding a lightsaber
A Jedi was cut from the Star Wars Skeleton Crew finale – was she Jod’s former master?
Ahsoka in episode 5
Ahsoka season 2 release date speculation, cast, story, and everything else you need to know about the Star Wars show
The Mandalorian and Boba Fett
George Lucas' unmade Star Wars show was so expensive and risky that it would have cost $40 million per episode and “blown up the whole Star Wars universe"
Latest in Star Wars TV Shows
The Death Star in the Andor season 2 trailer
New Andor season 2 trailer is an intense new look at the returning Star Wars show that sees the Rebels discover the Death Star
Star Wars Visions anime
First look at Star Wars anime Visions season 3 is a "psychedelic battle" exploring the "tormented psyche" of a stormtrooper
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy says his Star Wars show is trying to be "more serious about this sh*t than anybody ever has been"
The Mandalorian and Boba Fett
George Lucas' unmade Star Wars show was so expensive and risky that it would have cost $40 million per episode and “blown up the whole Star Wars universe"
Diego Luna in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner Tony Gilroy calls Cassian “Star Wars Jesus” ahead of the show’s return on Disney Plus
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner Tony Gilroy breaks silence on the weird release schedule: "It's a Disney decision"
Latest in News
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”