As the first Star Wars live-action series set in the High Republic era, The Acolyte has introduced new concepts, characters, and stories outside the usual Skywalker saga’s timeline. It includes the introduction of the new villain, Qimir (Manny Jacinto), later named The Stranger. Though the show’s first set of episodes solved the mystery surrounding the twin sisters, Osha and Mae (Amandla Stenberg), Qimir’s origins and Sith Master remain to be seen. That said, episode director Hanelle M. Culpepper teases fans to learn more of Qimir’s backstory in the potential The Acolyte Season 2.
Culpepper had the chance to direct Jacinto twice in Episodes 6, Teach / Corrupt, and 8, The Acolyte. In an interview with ScreenRant, she had nothing but praise for the Canadian actor for his great acting skills in playing the role of Qimir. However, while working on her first take of the show, she found it interesting that their version of The Stranger had never been done in Star Wars before.
“He was so different before when he was playing Qimir, and then when you see him as the big bad in episode 5, and then you get to see this side of him, to see who he really is, to see his vulnerability,” she explained.
Culpepper commended Jacinto for perfectly portraying his role by bringing so much to his character that made him an instant fan-favorite. However, before they perfectly nailed this character, she revealed they went through a lot of discussions and rehearsals with showrunner Leslye Hedland. The Good Place star also had a say in his role, from what he felt to what The Stranger meant to him, as he embodied the antagonist in the series.
“It was really with each scene, just figuring out what’s the right amount because the one thing we all didn’t want is him to just be a mustache-twirly bad guy,” she continued.
The filmmaker added that they wanted The Stranger to be much more complex than just a villain, as his backstory and what happened to him were already as complicated as it was. However, she wanted to let Headland fill all the gaps between Qimir’s mysterious backstory if The Acolyte Season 2 happened.
“I will let Leslye fill in all the blanks on his backstory, and hopefully, the audience will demand a Season 2 so they can learn more if that’s what’s gonna be covered in Season 2; I don’t know,” Culpepper said. “I’m waiting with bated breath like the rest of us.”
Hanelle M. Culpepper Discusses If There Will Be Star Wars: The Acolyte Season 2
About three weeks after The Acolyte ended, the show has yet to receive a second-season renewal from Lucasfilm and Disney+. Headland herself earlier revealed that she hadn’t heard anything about the show’s possible return and even asked fans to show their love and support for the series online to help renew the show. However, like Headland, Culpepper revealed she hadn’t had any hints about The Acolyte Season 2.
She explained that her comments about Qimir’s backstory were motivated by her hopes for a second season and her desire to learn more about this new villain. She also stressed that her statement didn’t come from knowing anything or implying that the show would continue. Like fans and Headland, she wanted to see The Acolyte Season 2 come to life and whatever story it entailed.
“I want a season 2 and whatever we’re gonna learn in season 2 and add to the story, expand the story, is going to be, I’m sure, very cool and exciting and make us want a season 3!” she added.
Despite the hate The Acolyte receives, not to mention the review bombing, it can’t be denied that it has redeemed itself after topping Rotten Tomatoes’ streaming charts following the finale. So, with a major cliffhanger and several loose ends that need to be tied up, it’s not far that The Acolyte Season 2 will happen.
All episodes of The Acolyte are available on Disney+.
