10 Shows to Fill the Void Left by The Acolyte

Fans were saddened to hear that The Acolyte wouldn’t be returning for another season. While the series faced harsh backlash, its supporters appreciated how it expanded the franchise’s lore, delving deeper into the galaxy’s history than any other recent Star Wars movie or TV show. It also featured a stellar cast and some of the most dynamic fight scenes in the saga. Considering how expansive the Star Wars franchise is, perhaps The Acolyte‘s story could continue in another form, such as a novel or comic book series. Until then, fans might be looking for other shows to take their mind off the cancellation.

While the galaxy far, far away has lots of other offerings, The Acolyte stood out for its mystery-driven plot and complex approach to morality within the light and dark sides of the Force. It also had many intriguing characters that audiences still want to see more of, even though several of them don’t survive the season. From other space-faring adventures to more grounded fantasy worlds, here are ten shows for The Acolyte fans to check out next.

10 Andor Is a Tense Spy Thriller Within the Star Wars Universe

Streaming on Disney+

For The Acolyte fans who haven’t checked out Disney+’s other Star Wars shows, Andor is another series that breaks away from the franchise’s usual fare. It centers on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘s Cassian Andor and his journey to joining the Rebel Alliance. Its second season, which has already been filmed, will be its last, and it will lead directly into the events of Rogue One.

Andor may take place within the Skywalker Saga’s time frame, but like The Acolyte, it feels quite removed from those events, allowing it to stand on its own. It doesn’t focus on the Force or the Jedi, and it brings more moral complexity to its narrative than audiences usually expect from Star Wars, with the rebels doing some questionable deeds to help end the Empire. The series also managed to avoid the outrage of toxic internet trolls, even with its diverse cast of characters.

9 Firefly Is a Grounded Space Adventure

Streaming on Hulu

Firefly takes place in a distant future, in which humanity has moved into the stars and is ruled by a government known as the Alliance. The series follows a crew of misfits who fought against the Alliance in a civil war and now make their living on the outskirts of the galaxy. Although it remains a prime example of a TV show that was canceled too soon, its story continued in the movie Serenity, as well as several novels and comic books.

For The Acolyte fans who wish they could’ve spent more time with the show’s crew of Jedi before their untimely demise, Firefly makes for an apt follow-up. It might be a different kind of space adventure, but the series uses its episodic format to explore its characters more deeply, with each crew member getting their time to shine. There’s also a deeper conspiracy that offers plenty of intrigue.

8 Star Trek: Discovery Is a Refreshing New Take on the Franchise

Streaming on Paramount+

Set ten years before Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: Discovery follows a disgraced Starfleet officer who gets recruited to work on the USS Discovery. Throughout her adventures onboard, Michael Burnham finds redemptions as she corrects her past mistakes and saves the galaxy multiple times. The series ended with its fifth season, and even though it is part of a larger franchise, it can still be enjoyed on its own.

The Acolyte fans who were drawn in by Osha’s tragic backstory might also enjoy learning more about Michael’s complicated family in Star Trek: Discovery. Just as Osha is taken in by the Jedi after losing her family but has a difficult time letting go of her negative emotions, Michael is raised on Vulcan after her parents’ deaths and struggles to fit in as a human. Amid the exciting space adventures, Michael’s history has plenty of interesting twists along the way.

7 Watchmen Explores Corruption Through Superheroes

Streaming on Max

Watchmen is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 34 years after the events of the comic book of the same name. After a devastating targeted attack by a white supremacist group called the Seventh Kavalry, the local police force is allowed to wear masks to protect their identities. Detective Angela Abar, aka Sister Night, investigates the police chief’s murder and stumbles upon a much larger conspiracy ingrained in her family history. The limited series was critically acclaimed, winning 11 out of 26 Emmy nominations.

Although the themes are quite different, The Acolyte fans who enjoyed the mysteries uncovered throughout the season might also appreciate Watchmen‘s many twists and turns. Like Osha, Angela goes through quite the journey as she discovers long-buried secrets and exposes corruption within trusted institutions. At the same time, Watchmen delves much deeper into social commentary as it examines racism in the United States and the flaws of so-called heroes.

6 His Dark Materials Challenges the Long-Held Beliefs of a Fantasy World

Streaming on Max

Based on the book trilogy by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials is set in a world where human souls take physical form as animals called daemons. Lyra Belacqua is an orphan living at Jordan College when she’s taken under the wing of the glamorous Marisa Coulter and soon uncovers a nefarious plot involving kidnappings and a substance called Dust. The show adapted all three books, coming to a close with its third season.

His Dark Materials is a great watch for The Acolyte fans who appreciated the way the series challenged typical views of the Force and its users, with the HBO series giving a different take on original sin in Christianity. Lyra follows a similar path to Osha as she uncovers dark secrets about important people in her life and the universe at large. She’s also played by Daphne Keene, who portrayed Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon in The Acolyte.

5 Cobra Kai Is a Constant Battle Between Light and Dark

Streaming on Netflix

Cobra Kai is a sequel series set 34 years after the events of The Karate Kid. Down on his luck after losing the All-Valley Karate Tournament to Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence decides to revive his old dojo to teach local kids like his neighbor, Miguel Diaz, how to defend themselves. In the process, he revives old rivalries and brings surprising figures out of the woodwork. The show is in the middle of its sixth season, which will also be its last.

Just as The Acolyte explores light and dark Force users in a nuanced way, Cobra Kai reexamines and redeems some of the antagonists of the Karate Kid movies, bringing more complexity to the franchise. It puts student-teacher and parent-child relationships at the forefront, which may appeal to viewers who were invested in the pseudo-father-daughter dynamics between Sol and Osha. While they might not have lightsabers, Cobra Kai also features plenty of great action sequences.

4 Agents of SHIELD Is Full of Shocking Twists and Betrayals

Streaming on Disney+

Set after the events of The Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. resurrects Agent Phil Coulson to lead an elite team. As they traverse the world investigating strange occurrences and artifacts, Coulson’s team discovers shocking secrets surrounding his return, each other’s pasts and the very organization they work for. The series lasted longer than any other Marvel Television show at seven seasons, growing more independent of the wider MCU with each season.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is another excellent watch for The Acolyte fans who enjoyed its shocking reveals. Despite its initial episodic format, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes more serialized as time goes on, and its 22-episode format allows it to build up mysteries over longer periods and still have time to deal with the fallout. It also features a pseudo-father-daughter relationship with Coulson and Skye that fans of Sol and Osha’s dynamic may enjoy, although it plays out much differently.

3 The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Tackles a New Era in the Franchise

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth’s history, thousands of years before any of the movies. Starting during a time of peace, the series details the rise of evil as Sauron returns in a new form. His machinations send shockwaves through the world that connect Elves, Men, Dwarves and even Harfoots. The show is currently in its second season, but only time will tell if it gets to fulfill the showrunners’ five-season plan.

Like The Acolyte, The Rings of Power is a captivating prequel series that explores a new era in the franchise’s on-screen history. It features a diverse array of characters and manages to keep viewers engaged even if they know that disaster is looming on the horizon. While both shows have faced criticism for certain deviations from established lore, audiences seem more positive about The Rings of Power‘s second season so far.

2 Motherland: Fort Salem Explores Sisterhood Within a Flawed System

Available to Buy on Amazon Prime Video

Set in a world where witches are real and conscripted into the U.S. army due to an agreement called the Salem Accord, Motherland: Fort Salem follows three young witches beginning basic training. As they prepare to fight a witch terrorist organization called the Spree, Raelle, Tally and Abigail realize that not everything is as it seems at Fort Salem. Although reviews of its finale were mixed, the series ended on its own terms with its third season.

Motherland: Fort Salem‘s world of witches shares some surprising similarities to the Star Wars galaxy, particularly during the High Republic. Fans who were fascinated by The Acolyte‘s exploration of the Jedi and how they’re viewed by outsiders may also be interested in Motherland: Fort Salem‘s witches and the politics surrounding their place in society. Additionally, audiences who liked the dynamic between Osha and the Stranger might enjoy the main romance, which is between two witches on opposing sides.

1 Shadow and Bone Balances Fantasy, Politics and Romance

Streaming on Netflix

Shadow and Bone is based on the Grishaverse book series by Leigh Bardugo and takes place in a fantasy world where certain people, known as Grisha, can manipulate matter in a magic-like fashion. They’re often persecuted for their abilities, but in the country of Ravka, they’re drafted into the army. The show follows Alina Starkov, an orphan who discovers she has a unique ability that could change the world. Sadly, the show was canceled after two seasons.

While The Acolyte viewers might be reluctant to dive into another prematurely canceled show, Shadow and Bone has a lot to offer new viewers. Its rich worldbuilding, stunning fight sequences and parallels between the Grisha and the Jedi make it a great choice for Star Wars lovers. Fans of Osha and the Stranger’s relationship may also be interested in the show’s wide array of romances. And even though the series ended early, viewers can still find out how the story ends by reading the books.