Jodie Turner-Smith from The Acolyte has "no regrets" about the show's cancellation and is open to returning.
Jodie Turner-Smith has stated that she has "no regrets" about portraying Mother Aniseya in the controversial Star Wars Disney+ series, The Acolyte. Despite topping streaming charts, the series has faced significant criticism from fans and critics alike, and even before its release, it received a hostile reception. Disney ultimately decided not to renew The Acolyte for a second season.
While promoting her new Paramount+ show, The Agency, Turner-Smith reflected on her experiences in the Star Wars universe during an interview with Collider. She expressed her love for being part of that universe and indicated she would eagerly return if given the chance for another season of The Acolyte. Turner-Smith described it as her "dream project" and mentioned that she was largely unaffected by the surrounding controversies. Check out what she said below: “Of course [I'd return]! First of all, I loved being in that universe, I had an incredible time doing that, and I loved it. No matter what, it's fun, gratifying work. There's a lot of other stuff that comes with it that has nothing to do with the work and the colors of the work just because it's politics or whatever, but ultimately it was a dream project to be a part of. I would do it again. I would. I don't have any regrets. If there was an opportunity to do more, I would be right there.”
Turner-Smith's unwavering passion for the iconic franchise resonates with the dreams of every Star Wars fan. Being part of a universe inhabited by characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker can feel like a dream come true. However, not every actor has had a positive experience in Star Wars. Some even regret their involvement. For instance, Jake Lloyd, who portrayed young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, faced significant backlash from fans. This negative attention followed him throughout his childhood and is believed to be one of the reasons he eventually quit acting.
It’s certainly reassuring to know that Turner-Smith was not negatively affected by the controversy surrounding *The Acolyte*. It’s always unfortunate when baseless backlash disrupts a creative’s experience, especially since being a part of *Star Wars* has been a dream for Turner-Smith. It’s a relief that her overall experience was positive. This also suggests that she would be eager to return to *Star Wars* if given the opportunity. While some viewers may criticize the pacing and overall story arcs of the series, the casting has not received significant negative feedback.
The cancellation of *The Acolyte* likely results from its high production costs rather than viewer backlash. The first season's eight episodes cost around $180 million, and despite strong viewership, it didn't meet Disney's financial expectations, making a second season unlikely.
However, Jodie Turner-Smith could still return to the Star Wars universe. Many actors have played multiple roles within the franchise, and her character might appear in future projects if Lucasfilm decides to continue or create prequels. The Acolyte's Jodie Turner-Smith Has "No Regrets" Despite The Star Wars Show's Backlash & Cancelation, Open To Returning