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The Acolyte’ Creator Breaks Down Cancellation, Costs, and Fandom Backlash

The showrunner says the unusually swift, public announcement mishandled the end of the series.

Overview

  • Leslye Headland says she was not surprised the Star Wars series was canceled after one season, but she was taken aback by the speed and public nature of the decision.
  • Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman said the show’s viewership did not justify its expense, reflecting tighter streaming economics.
  • Industry reporting, including analysis of U.K. filings cited by Forbes, put the production budget at roughly $230 million.
  • Headland describes the High Republic setting and new characters as a deliberate creative risk, and she acknowledges that some creative criticisms were valid.
  • Despite generally positive critic scores, the cast and creators faced targeted online harassment, and Headland says any Season 2 plans now look extremely unlikely.