Angry Star Wars fans rally behind Acolyte star Manny Jacinto after being blindsided by series' abrupt cancellation

The Disney+ series The Acolytestarring Amandla Stenberg and created by Leslye Headland, will not return for a second season.

The news that the series is now a one-off production has since sparked a backlash from some Star Wars fans, with them taking to social media to make their feelings known.

Many of these disgruntled Star Wars fans took to Manny Jacinto’s Instagram page to express their doubts regarding the decision to cancel the series after only one season.

The actor, who played Qimir, a soft-hearted Sith, broke his silence by sharing a tribute to the series, posting an image of the show’s final shot, accompanied by a single heart emoji as he bid farewell to his time in a galaxy far, far away.

Alongside Osha, played by Amandla Stenberg, the two characters can be seen holding hands side by side as they watch the sunset.

Manny Jacinto, 36, has broken his silence following the cancellation of The Acolyte after one season on Disney+ by posting the final photo from the first season showing his character Qimir standing alongside Osha, played by Amandla Stenberg.

Along with the photo he posted on The Acolyte, Jacinto left a simple red heart emoji

The news came as a bit of a shock, given that much of the first season finale ended on a cliffhanger and hinted at several plot holes for future episodes that likely never came.

“You both deserved so much better” and “Thank you for everything. You will always be part of the Star Wars family. May the Force be with you!” were among the comments left by fans after seeing the latest photo on Jacinto’s Instagram page.

“We are very sorry for LF’s decision. We hope they reconsider their decision. Congratulations to you, the cast and crew on this incredible achievement,” wrote another heartbroken viewer.

Many people have tended to tailor their comments to be more of a compliment on the work he did on the show.

“Your character was the most interesting Star Wars villain to come out in years. Not even Gideon or Kylo Ren. You deserved better,” one fan proclaimed.

“You all made such an impact with your series,” wrote another Star Wars fanatic. “There is so much to be proud of with this creation, oh my goodness.”

Shortly after the cancellation was announced, fans opposed to the decision started a petition to try to save the show, and quickly garnered 10,000 signatures, as reported by Collider.

But make no mistake, many people weren’t entirely happy with how the story played out when it first aired on Disney+ with two episodes on June 4.

Jacinto broke his silence by sharing an image from the final shot of the first season showing his character Qimir holding hands with Osha, played by Amandla Stenberg, as they stood side by side while watching the sunset.

Some disgruntled fans even used their comments to compliment Jacinto’s work.

Stenberg played Verosha “Osha” and Mae-ho “Mae” Aniseya, twin sisters who were separated by tragedy when they were young.

“Your character was the most interesting Star Wars villain to come out in years. Not even Gideon or Kylo Ren. YOU deserved better,” one fan shared on Jacinto, which was shared by many others upset about the cancellation

The following six episodes aired weekly until July 16.

The Acolyte actually received lower ratings than previous Star Wars series and was considered divisive among fans of the franchise.

The story is set at the end of the High Republic era of the Star Wars franchise, approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and involves “a respected Jedi Master investigating a series of crimes that bring him into contact with a former Padawan apprentice and reveal sinister forces.”

Alongside Stenberg and Jacinto, the cast also includes Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Margarita Levieva, Lauren Brady, Leah Brady, Harry Trevaldwyn and David Harewood.