The Acolyte had the potential to be the show of the year, introducing a fresh era in the live-action Star Wars universe while teasing the story of Darth Plagueis, the legendary Sith Lord. However, many fans were disappointed with the narrative direction taken by showrunner Leslye Headland. The series failed to achieve the level of success needed for Disney+ to greenlight a second season. Compounding the situation, cast members reported experiencing racist backlash. Lee Jung-jae, who portrayed Jedi Master Sang-ho, expressed his shock at the hostility but remains optimistic about the show's long-term appreciation.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair—in anticipation of the upcoming second season of Netflix’s blockbuster series Squid Game—the South Korean star discussed The Acolyte, including the racist attacks some cast members faced, such as Amandla Stenberg, who played the twin siblings.
“It was a painful experience for me, and especially for Leslye Headland—I’m sure it hurt her even more. […] All I can hope for is that racism will eventually fade away, though it’s undoubtedly a difficult journey to reach that point. […] As for the series itself, some works need time to be appreciated, and I really hope people grow to love The Acolyte over time,” Lee Jung-jae shared.
The actor strongly condemns racism but insists he is not deterred by toxic behavior masquerading as fandom. He explained that navigating fan reactions is part of the profession.
“Fandom comes with my career. It’s the nature of the job, so I can’t view it as a fixed aspect. Regardless of what happens, I’ll always be grateful for what I’ve achieved,” Lee said.
Lee has previously praised the series, expressing satisfaction with Headland’s storytelling. Meanwhile, The Acolyte co-star Jodie Turner-Smith not only criticized the hostile fan reactions but also called out Disney for failing to more robustly defend the cast from the backlash.
While The Acolyte struggled to gain widespread acclaim upon release, Lee’s optimism highlights the potential for reevaluation and appreciation in the future.
