‘The Acolyte’ Stars Lee Jung-jae and Manny Jacinto React to the Series Cancellation

Earlier this week, Deadline revealed that The Acolyte, Leslye Headland’s mystery thriller set in the waning days of the High Republic, would not be getting a second season. The news has sparked strong reactions across the fandom, and now some of the show’s stars are speaking out with their own thoughts on the news.

Actor Lee Jung-jae, who captivated audiences as Jedi Master Sol, reacted to the news, speaking to Entertainment Weekly (EW). He did not expect to return for season 2 as his character is, you know… dead, but he was still looking forward to where Headland would take the story next and getting to enjoy the experience as a viewer. He said:

I really loved Leslye’s writing. I thought that she was a great writer and director who was very talented in the storytelling, as well as creating characters and creating meaningful structures within the story. So I was actually personally really looking forward to watching a season 2 with her at the helm

The Korean actor, also known for his work in Squid Game, expressed surprise at not getting a second season, telling EW he was fully expecting to see the story continue. He hasn’t given up yet, though, and expresses hope that the character’s stories may return in some shape or form down the line. He said:

Honestly, I am hoping that maybe there could be changes in the future. Because you never know what’s going to happen. So on a personal level, I really hope we could get to see further stories of Leslye’s second season.

With the introduction of Darth Plagueis in the final episode, it was clear that the series was going to open up its scope if it were to continue. With the world of The Acolyte expanding into publishing, there’s always the possibility that Lee Jung-jae might get his wish and that the stories could continue in another format even if they don’t reappear on-screen.

Another star of the show, Manny Jacinto, who plays Qimir/”The Stranger,” posted a more subtle reaction on his Instagram.

Accompanied by a heart emoticon, the post shows his character’s closing image of the season: standing hand-in-hand with Mae as they look out at the ocean.

For more reaction and in-depth commentary on The Acolyte‘s cancellation, check out the latest installment of SWNN Live, where our own Tyler, Miguel, and Luke give their thoughts and break down the news and what it means for Star Wars.