Amandla Stenberg has finally addressed the controversial cancellation of The Acolyte.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Star Wars series would not return for a second season following mixed reviews from (select) fans and critics, as well as lower-than-expected viewership.

Although The Acolyte garnered a passionate fanbase, particularly amongst the LGBTQIA+ community, it was review-bombed on websites such as Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB for placing women and people of colour at the forefront.

Additionally, trolls had a tantrum over the LGBTQIA+ themes and various queer cast and crew members – including lead actor Stenberg and director Leslye Headland, who also became the first-ever female director of a Star Wars series.

Following a bout of silence, Stenberg released a video on Instagram in which they “speak candidly” about the cancellation and the backlash from hateful Star Wars fans.

“Our Star Wars show has been canceled and I’m gonna say, I’m really transparent, that it’s not a huge shock for me. For those who aren’t aware, there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced,” said the star.

“That’s when we started experiencing a rampage of, I would say, hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language towards us.

“This really affected me when I first got the job, because even though I anticipated it happening, it’s not something you can fully understand what it feels like until it’s happening to you.”

However, Stenberg told their fans that it was an “incredible honour and dream” for them to be involved in the Star Wars universe.

“Of course, I’m very sad about the show being canceled and I’m sad about us not being able to give people who are invested into it more,” they said. “I still just feel a lot of levity and joy around the fact that it that I got to experience it, and that people loved it, and that people were so responsive.”

She continued to send love and support to fans who championed The Acolyte “in the face of all of the vitriol that we receive and the targeted attack by the alt-right”: “You are deeply loved and appreciated. It made this job all the worthwhile for me.”

Set before the events of the Skywalker Saga at the end of the High Republic era, The Acolyte follows a former Padawan (Stenberg) who reunites with her Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) to investigate a series of mysterious crimes.

It boasts an ensemble cast, with supporting stars such as Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, Manny Jacinto, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, Margarita Levieva, Harry Trevaldywn and David Harewood.

In the weeks since The Acolyte’s cancellation, almost 60,000 fans have signed a change.org petition in hopes of a renewal.

“The Acolyte opened the doors for so many Star Wars fans, new and old, to feel seen. To feel welcomed and accepted by an IP and fandom that hadn’t previously been so for anyone who didn’t check off certain boxes,” the description states.

“Not only that, but The Acolyte became a beacon for representation that many fans have felt was lacking in the Star Wars universe for decades.”

You can sign the petition here.