Seen and Unseen: 'The Acolyte' Creator Defends Series Against 'Woke' Accusations

"Leslye Headland, the creator of the controversial 'Star Wars' series 'The Acolyte,' has dismissed criticism that the show is 'woke' propaganda featuring 'lesbian space witches.' Headland maintains that she did not set out to create an overtly political show, despite its progressive themes."

Since its debut on Disney's streaming platform, "Star Wars: The Acolyte" has emerged as one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise's history. While receiving critical acclaim—boasting an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating among professional movie reviewers—the series has faced significant backlash from fans who allege it embraces "woke" storylines and characters, with some labeling it the most progressive installment yet.

Seen and Unseen: 'The Acolyte' Creator Defends Series Against 'Woke' Accusations

The show's LGBTQ reputation has preceded itself, generating a now-viral moment where a journalist from The Wrap told Headland and non-binary series star Amandla Stenberg during an interview that the show is "arguably the gayest Star Wars by a considerable margin." While Headland and Stenberg found amusement in the question, it hinted at the show's perceived agenda.

However, Headland has refuted the notion that she set out to create an overt LGBTQ series. "I don't believe that I've created queer, with a capital Q, content," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "I don't know what the term 'gay' means in that sense."

Seen and Unseen: 'The Acolyte' Creator Defends Series Against 'Woke' Accusations

Despite her initial amusement, Headland later expressed reservations about the way her comments were interpreted in the viral interview. "I was surprised by the question," she said. "Amandla and I just burst out laughing because that's our knee-jerk reaction to being asked that, but to be honest, I don't know what the term 'gay' means in that sense."

Headland also addressed a controversial storyline in episode three of "The Acolyte" that seemingly confirmed critics' suspicions about the show's LGBTQ messaging. The narrative implied that two powerful witches belonging to an all-female society used force magic to generate their female offspring, the twin main characters of the show played by Stenberg.

Seen and Unseen: 'The Acolyte' Creator Defends Series Against 'Woke' Accusations

Disgruntled fans took to social media to mock the series for including "lesbian space witches" in Star Wars canon. Headland denounced this interpretation, stating, "They're in a matriarchal society. As a gay woman, I knew it would read that their sexuality is queer, but there also aren't any men in their community. So a closeness between the two of them would be natural. It seemed plot-driven."

"I would say it's really reductive to call them lesbians. I think it means you're not really paying attention to this story," she added.

Headland emphasized that while she is not making an LGBTQ series, she embraces the "queerness" present in "The Acolyte." "I'm proud of being a gay woman who's accomplished this feat, and certainly, if my content is called queer, I don't want to disown whatever queerness is in the show. I would be proud to create something that inspired queer people," she said.

The creator also criticized those who view the show's LGBTQ themes as negative, stating, "Honestly, I feel sad that people would think that if something were gay, that that would be bad. It makes me feel sad that a bunch of people on the internet would somehow dismantle what I consider to be the most important piece of art that I've ever made."

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding "The Acolyte," Headland remains steadfast in her belief that the series is a meaningful and groundbreaking addition to the Star Wars universe.