Leslye Headland talks The Acolyte and drops hints for what's to come

Have we all recovered from the rollercoaster of emotions that The Acolyte's fifth episode, "Night", casually threw us into?

Get ready to clutch your lightsabers and hold onto your Jedi (or Sith, please) robes because Leslye Headland, the mastermind behind The Acolyte, just dropped some serious galactic gossip in an exclusive chat with Inverse. And trust me, it’s juicier than a Wookiee's secret recipe for blue milk.

SPOILER WARNING IF YOU'RE NOT UP TO DATE WITH THE ACOLYTE: Please read at your own risk.

Qimir: The hot Sith shocker

Let's first talk about the bombshell that has the entire galaxy buzzing: Qimir, played by the oh-so-dreamy Manny Jacinto, is not just any grifter. He’s been The Stranger, The Master, whatever you want to call him, in disguise! In a matter of two episodes, Qimir goes from “charming rogue” to “terrifying villain”, and boy, does he do it in style. Episode 5, aptly titled “Night,” saw Qimir go full dark side, slicing through a squad of Jedi like a hot knife through bantha butter. RIP Yord, my favorite Himbo. Fan favorites fell faster than you can say “May the Force be with you,” and the internet exploded with theories and fanfics.

Leslye Headland is just as surprised as we are about the fan fervor surrounding Qimir. She even got sent a fanfic pairing Qimir with the show’s heroine, Mae. Her reaction? “I read it and I was like, ‘OK, damn. OK!’” Leslye didn’t expect Manny’s character to become such a sensation, but after seeing his screen test, she knew they had something special. Originally, Qimir wasn’t supposed to be in much of the season, but Manny’s performance was so stellar that they rewrote episodes to give him more screen time. “There will be riots in the streets if I don’t [go further],” she quipped. And honestly, we’re here for it.

Creating a new Sith character is no small feat, especially in the Star Wars universe where Sith Lords are iconic. Leslye and her team spent ages perfecting Qimir’s look. They wanted something unique, something that screamed “Sith” but also “sexy.” Needless to say, they nailed it. From his flowy, armor-less outfit (HELLO, ARMS) to his intense screen presence, Qimir is a Sith like no other. Leslye even mentioned a funny moment where Manny saw a costume sketch showing a bit of his arms and said, “No.” But once he put on the whole outfit, it was a game-changer. So thankful for the arms.

Episode 5: The game-changer

Episode 5 is where everything goes haywire. Qimir not only killed a bunch of Jedi but did so with such ferocity that it left viewers reeling. Leslye explained that this episode was always meant to be a turning point. The idea was to reset the board and show that no one is safe. The deaths of characters like Jecki and Yord were meant to shock and unsettle, making it clear that The Acolyte is not playing by the usual Star Wars rules. And just when you thought things couldn’t get crazier, Qimir swaps out his apprentice Mae for her twin sister, Osha.

Leslye couldn’t stop gushing about Manny’s performance. She described him as a perfect blend of strength, existential dread, and sheer violence. His portrayal of Qimir is so intense that even Leslye, who knows the script inside out, finds herself on edge during his scenes. One standout moment for her is when Qimir kicks Mae down to her knees. It’s a brutal, bone-chilling scene that perfectly encapsulates his character’s ruthlessness.

And now for the shippers: there’s already a quiet buzz about a potential romance between Osha and Qimir. Leslye hinted at a possible “enemies to lovers” dynamic, which is sure to send fanfic writers into overdrive. While she couldn’t spill all the details, the idea of a good girl/bad guy pairing in a Star Wars series is exciting and very much on par with the EU lore.

Cortosis: The Legends element

Cortosis, a material from the Legends universe known for its lightsaber-resistant properties, makes a fun first-time appearance in The Acolyte. Leslye revealed that incorporating cortosis was a delicate balancing act. They didn’t want to undermine the power of a lightsaber but also wanted to bring something fresh to the table. The result? A brittle, limited-resource material that adds a whole new layer to Qimir’s character and combat style.

Kylo Ren connections?

Keen-eared viewers might have noticed bits of the Kylo Ren theme playing throughout the episode. Leslye confirmed it was intentional but remained tight-lipped about the deeper connection. Looks like we’ll have to keep watching to see how that unfolds.

What’s next?

With more than half of the season still to go, Leslye promises that things will only get darker and more intense. The stakes are higher, the action is ramping up, and the emotional beats are about to hit even harder. If you thought the first half of the season was wild, brace yourselves because the second half is going to be a rollercoaster.

Leslye Headland’s interview with Inverse gives us a fun peek behind the curtain of The Acolyte. From Qimir’s shocking reveal to the intricate design choices and the promise of even more twists and turns, it’s clear that this show is set to redefine what we expect from Star Wars.

Don't forget to tune in to Disney+ tonight at 9pm EST for the next episode of The Acolyte.