Leslye Headland on Queerness in ‘The Acolyte’, the Witch Coven, and More
In the wake of the frustrating, cruel and ultimately irrelevant negative online discourse concerning The Acolyte, showrunner Leslye Headland had a measured and impressively well-mannered response to share with Brian Davids at The Hollywood Reporter. Specifically, Headland addressed the fallout from a previous interview with her and The Acolyte star, Amandla Stenberg, where they were told by The Wrap’s Drew Taylor that “The Acolyte was the gayest Star Wars show by a considerable margin.” The interview subsequently fanned the flames of the already blazing conversation around this nonissue. It’s also worth noting that this moment in the The Wrap interview is cheerful and is met with jocular attitudes from all three present.
About this statement, Headland commented:
“I was surprised by the question. 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. I don’t believe that I’ve created queer, with a capital Q, content.”
She went on further to elaborate the unique narrative setting of the witches in the show:
“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.”
For those who may be struggling to get on board or understand this part of the story, I think this provides some critical nuance. Not that Headland is shying away from creating queer stories (more on that below,) but at least where The Acolyte is concerned, it’s not really the point. I think this is very similar to another, more famous Star Wars coven of witches. We see in Star Wars literature, such as Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars and even some subtle references in The Clone Wars that the witches of Dathomir had queer relationships. And of course they would. They share an intense bond and are part of a very insulated society. It’s hardly reaching–looking at you, apparent ladies man, Geode.
Regarding creating queer content, Headland said:
“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…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….It’s been beyond my wildest dreams.”
I’m buoyed to hear these measured comments from Headland. Not that I expected anything less from such a competent professional, but I worried this vocal minority may have been damaging her spirits. Personally, I would love to see Lucasfilm give her The Old Republic project of her dreams. And on that note, onwards!
The Acolyte releases on Disney Plus on Tuesdays 6pm PT/ 9pm ET. For more news and opinions on the show, check out our review of this week’s episode!
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
