Part 5/10:
Showrunner Leslie Hedlin’s statements further reinforce this focus. She openly discussed her identity as a queer lesbian and expressed a desire to embed her personal experiences into the series. Hedlin has been vocal about her commitment to LGBTQ+ representation, not only in The Acolyte but in her broader work. She has explicitly stated her intention that her storytelling would mirror her identity, which has led to accusations that the series is driven by an agenda—more about identity politics than traditional Star Wars themes.