Part 6/9:
For the past two years, discussions surrounding The Acolyte have often centered on identity politics rather than storytelling quality. From casting decisions to outspoken claims about the need for more diversity, the franchise has leaned into progressive themes, sometimes at the expense of traditional storytelling elements that once defined Star Wars.
Some cast members have explicitly claimed that introducing a Black lead or more women into prominent roles is groundbreaking or overdue, citing the franchise's "patriarchal" past. For instance, Jod Turner-Smith has acknowledged that having a black protagonist is a milestone, while others have expressed frustration that the franchise once lacked diversity.