Dafne Keen’s 8-Episode Sci-Fi Series Deserved Better

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Despite a lot of initial criticism from Star Wars fans, the show The Acolyte is starting to gain a positive reputation. Many viewers on Disney+ now believe the series didn’t deserve the negative reaction it first received.

Looking back, the bold choices made in The Acolyte seem less like mistakes and more like daring attempts to try something new, completely changing how we view the series. Released on Disney+ in 2024, the show takes place near the end of the High Republic era, about a hundred years before the events of the Skywalker saga. It serves as both a prequel, filling in backstory, and an expansion of the Star Wars universe, showing a broader picture of the Jedi’s power and the growing tension across the galaxy.

Beyond introducing a new period in the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte featured excellent acting, particularly from Dafne Keen. Despite the attention-grabbing controversies, the show took risks with its storytelling. Now that the initial buzz has died down, The Acolyte deserves to be seen as a surprisingly strong entry in the Star Wars saga.

Dafne Keen Played A Padawan In The Acolyte

Keen Delivered A Performance That Anchored The Show

Dafne Keen’s character, Jecki Lon, is a standout in The Acolyte. As a Padawan under Master Sol, she’s both disciplined and eager to learn. Jecki provides a relatable viewpoint as the story’s mysteries unfold, letting the audience see the flaws within the Jedi Order through the eyes of someone raised with Jedi beliefs but willing to ask tough questions.

Dafne Keen truly shines as Lon in The Acolyte, making her character memorable among the show’s large cast. She plays Jecki with a careful, watchful energy, showing she’s capable through subtle movements and deliberate speaking. This controlled approach makes her believable both when fighting and solving mysteries, proving she’s skilled in both mind and body.

This character shares similarities with Lyra from HBO’s His Dark Materials, especially in how driven she is by her emotions and curiosity. But while Lyra was energetic and acted on impulse, this new character is more thoughtful and has been shaped by her training and a tendency to reflect before acting.

Dafne Keen’s performance showcases her impressive acting range, especially when comparing her roles in Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine. While her character Laura in Logan was driven by past trauma and a need to survive, Jecki is motivated by the strict training and guidance she’s received. Keen skillfully portrays both these very different characters, making her depiction of Jecki as a Padawan particularly unique.

Let me tell you, Dafne Keen as Jecki Lon is a real standout in The Acolyte. Her performance isn’t just great acting, it actually deepens everything the show is trying to say. The Acolyte is already a fascinating Star Wars story, and Keen’s work really brings to the surface the idea that maybe, just maybe, the Jedi’s way isn’t always the right one. It makes you question their loyalty, what they believe in, and even their whole identity, and that’s a powerful thing.

The Acolyte Is Already Aging Well

Time Is Reframing The Series As A Bold Expansion Of The Franchise

When The Acolyte premiered in 2024, it caused a lot of disagreement among fans, and this overshadowed how well-made the show actually was. People’s expectations, based on what they remembered from past Star Wars stories, clashed with the show’s different style, leading to very divided opinions. But looking back, many now see that the show’s willingness to try something new was actually a good thing. Like other Star Wars installments that were controversial at first, such as the Prequel Trilogy, The Acolyte is now being appreciated for breaking with tradition.

It’s easy to appreciate The Acolyte when you look past the surrounding controversies, particularly within the larger Star Wars universe. The show’s setting in the High Republic era delivers on a long-held fan request to see more of the Star Wars timeline. Importantly, by moving away from the familiar Skywalker family story, The Acolyte has the freedom to develop its own unique ideas and doesn’t feel forced to tie into existing Star Wars narratives.

Beyond simply taking place within the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte really tried new things. The lightsaber battles were some of the most exciting seen on screen to date, and the show delved deeply into Sith beliefs – something Star Wars projects hadn’t done outside of comics, novels, and games.

The appearance of Darth Plagueis really highlights why The Acolyte was a valuable addition to Star Wars, despite initial fan debates. Bringing characters like him to life on screen creates connections between different eras of the franchise in a way that books or comics just can’t.

Initially, some issues with the show’s speed or how the story unfolded might have been noticeable, but those things become less important when you consider how boldly it tried new things. What first seemed controversial now feels like valuable experimentation, solidifying The Acolyte‘s place as a series that expanded the Star Wars universe in exciting ways and crafted a strong story all its own.

Why Disney Canceled The Acolyte

High Costs And Viewership Shortfalls Halted Its Momentum

Despite gaining attention, The Acolyte ended after just one season. The cancellation wasn’t due to controversy, but rather financial reasons. The show was expensive to make, with its large scope and heavy use of visual effects, and viewership didn’t meet the studio’s expectations.

Ultimately, The Acolyte cost too much to keep going without attracting more viewers. Disney executives were very open about why. As co-chairman Alan Bergman stated in an interview with Vulture:

We were pleased with how the show did, but honestly, considering how much it cost to make, it didn’t perform well enough to justify a second season.

Despite being somewhat expected, the ending of The Acolyte season 1 was still a letdown. The show built up a lot of interesting possibilities with its focus on conflicts of belief, character growth, and the introduction of new villains, hinting at a more intense season to come. The appearance of Darth Plagueis in the finale especially suggested a deeper connection to the broader Star Wars story and a darker tone for the future.

The cancellation of The Acolyte after one season is a real loss, going beyond just an incomplete story. The show was a bold attempt to explore new and complex themes within the Star Wars universe. Revisiting the existing episodes highlights how ambitious it was and how much potential remained, proving that The Acolyte wasn’t just a good Star Wars show – it was a genuinely excellent science fiction series.

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2026-02-20 18:10