Star Wars: The Acolyte ended and left fans wanting more. This series examined the final years of the High Republic and introduced us to a galaxy full of interesting, mysterious figures. If you're looking to fill the space left by "The Acolyte" this summer, our watch list can show you new worlds of adventure.
Echoes of the Force: Shows with a "Star Wars" Connection
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" is an animation with a thrilling storyline. It gives depth to the Star Wars tale, set between the films "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith." The show features the great Clone Wars, with the Jedi working to uphold peace. Jedi, masters of the energy force, guide a clone army against the Separatists.
Fans of "The Acolyte" seeking more from the Force and the Jedi will find "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" an ideal next watch. Bursting with action, suspense, and the perennial good versus evil struggle, it embodies the best of Star Wars.
Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018)
Every Star Wars admirer should catch "Star Wars: Rebels," a fascinating animated series. It's set in a time of growing Empire control across the stars. We meet a new hero bunch, the Ghost crew, first in line to challenge the Empire's dictatorship. At its heart is Ezra Bridger, a sly lad from Lothal who stumbles on his Force connection and joins the rebels. Particularly if you've just completed "The Acolyte" and yearn to delve more into the "Star Wars" narrative, consider this show as next.
Andor (2022-)
"Andor" is an enticing series. It explores the early years of the Rebel Alliance through Cassian Andor's eyes. He's a character we first met in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." The setting is five years before "Rogue One" and the original "Star Wars" movie. Cassian's tale morphs into fighting for a cause, realizing his influence in battling the Empire, and deciding to become part of the collective effort to create the Rebel Alliance.
"Andor" is an excellent continuation for for "The Acolyte" fans who loved the dark side exploration and character complexity. It offers a more in-depth political landscape view of the "Star Wars" universe and the Rebel Alliance's beginnings. The promising series is a must-see for anyone interested in the untold tales of the galaxy far, far away.
Beyond the Galaxy: Shows Capturing Similar Themes
Firefly (2002-2003)
Firefly is a unique show that offers space adventure and a Western feel. The show is set in the year 2517, a time when humans have successfully moved to an entirely new star system. The story revolves around a crew of 9 different people and their approach towards space. The crew is from a spaceship called Serenity, which also happens to be of a specific category known as a Firefly-class ship.
The best part about this show is the Firefly ship, which includes average people in space and their survival. For fans of "Star Wars: The Acolyte" who enjoyed the mix of adventure, personal stories, and a touch of outer space, "Firefly" is a great show to watch next.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
Battlestar Galactica is a successful reboot of the famous science fiction 1978 TV series. Originally developed by Ronald D. Moore, the series features humans living in a group of planets called the 12th Colony. Life up there isn't as fun and joyful as you'd expect, as humans are being attacked by Cylons, which are sentient robots created by humans. As the show starts, Cylons attack the colonies, which causes mass destruction, killing most of the humans.
The people on civilian spacecraft survive and eventually start living for survival while urgently searching for the rumored 13th Colony, Earth. Cylons have evolved over time and can now take on human bodies while remaining unnoticed.
Like The Acolyte, Battlestar Galactica provides a dark, thought-provoking perspective mixed with thrills and adrenaline.
Stranger Things (2016-)
Like "The Acolyte," Stranger Things is a famous American science fiction horror television series that debuted on Netflix. The story revolves around the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, and combines nostalgic references from the 1980s. The show begins with the mysterious disappearance of a boy named Will Byers.
A series of events in the small town follow, eventually leading to some secret government experiment and the appearance of a psychokinetic girl named Eleven. As the search for Will grows, they discover strange things and an alternate dimension called the "upside down." The show is still airing, and fans eagerly await the final season's release, which is scheduled to premiere in 2025.
Familiar Faces: Following the Cast of "The Acolyte"
Lee Jung-Jae in "Squid Game" (2021)
Squid Game is a remarkable show that captured viewers' attention on a Global Scale. It is also one of the few shows that gained popularity and went viral just days after its release. The character of Lee Jung-Jae in the show is a divorced father who is drawn towards macabre competition as he struggles with debt.
But this is not any ordinary competition, as your life is at stake. Further, the series shows us the transformation of a man who is on the brink of despair and later finds a renewed sense of purpose. The character brings raw and authentic energy to the role while embodying Gi-hun's desperation and morals as he goes through brutal challenges in the game.
For people who loved "The Acolyte," Lee Jung-jae's performance in Squid Game is similar to The Acolyte in terms of survival and the human condition.
Amandla Stenberg in “The Hate U Give” (2018)
The Hate U Give is originally adapted from the novel by Angie Thomas. The show features Amandla Stenberg as Starr Carter; it navigates through the character's life as she resides in a Black neighborhood and attends a White Prep School. Stenberg's particular role is considered a very powerful and poignant one as she already has internal conflict and she must reconcile the two worlds she inhabits. Soon, her traumas escalate as she happens to witness the brutal shooting of "Khalil", her childhood friend, by a police officer.
The film contains strong themes of racial identity, activism, and a sense of community, where she has to stand against injustice. Consider this your next watch if you are looking for depth and complexity of characters such as "The Acolyte."
Dafne Keen in "His Dark Materials" (2019-2022)
His Dark Materials series is based on Philip Pullman's critically acclaimed trilogy. Dafne Keen plays Lyra Belacqua, an orphan living in a parallel reality. As the show progresses, we discover how science, religion, and magic are inextricably linked in the parallel world. Lyra, a clever and courageous young girl, embarks on an adventure to discover other worlds. This choice frequently causes her to discover secrets about her family in her search.
Fans of "The Acolyte" will like this series, which shows a young hero growing into their own in a world full of evil and light.