Warning: SPOILERS for The Acolyte episodes 1-7.
Summary
With each new episode,The Acolytehas pushed the boundaries of what is known in theStar Warsuniverse. Consciousness-sharing twins, a Force vergence, and a musical nod to the sequel trilogy’s Knights of Ren have proven the series to be an ambitious entry in the Disney+Star Warscatalog. Following the story of twins Osha and Mae (both played by Amandla Stenberg),The Acolytefurther explores the idea that the galaxy’s best-known heroes, the Jedi, may not be as heroic as they once appeared.
A consequential new addition toStar Warsis the witch coven led by Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith). While witches have been seen inStar Warsbefore, these have a unique connection to the Force,new Force powers, and a simple wish—to be left alone. The community is small but devoted and is brought to life by actors like Amy Tsang, who plays Ensign Rane in the series.
The Acolyte Showrunner Confirms A Deep Lore Origin For Mother Aniseya & Her Force Witches
Exclusive: The Acolyte’s showrunner, Leslye Headland, reveals more about Mother Aniseya’s deep Star Wars lore roots in an interview with Screen Rant.
Tsang’s first step into theStar Warsuniverse comes after a string of roles on beloved shows likeKung Fu, S.W.A.T.,andMagnum P.I.When speaking withScreen Rantabout stepping into the role of Ensign Rane, Tsang shared her thoughts on the joys of joining the storied universe, the feeling on set, and more. Plus, the actor reflects onwhat happened on Brendok.
Amy Tsang Details Joining The Star Wars Universe
Screen Rant: I’d love to hear about the process of being cast in aStar Warsproject, and how that compared to all of the other things you’ve been a part of.
Amy Tsang: Well, it wasn’t the conventional way. It was very unexpected. My friend, who is an EP on the show, was reading the script, he saw the character that I eventually got, and he thought of me. He asked me if I wanted to audition for it, so I was like, “Of course. This is Star Wars! Of course I want to audition for it.” I don’t even know if I would’ve gotten an opportunity to audition for it, let alone book it, otherwise.
I read for it, sent in the tape, and didn’t hear until three months later that I got the role. I totally didn’t expect it. I kind of forgot about it, because I didn’t really get my hopes up for it. I gave it my best shot, and even the opportunity to audition was a huge deal for me.
I know these projects can be very secretive.How much information did you have before you showed up on set?
Amy Tsang: A lot of things were informed by the art team. I got a script, but a lot of the script was blocked out. I only got my scenes. It was secretive even to me so I wouldn’t be able to tell anybody the plot or anything. I wouldn’t have to keep anything secret—the secret was kept from me. I drew a lot from the art team, seeing what my costume was like, and my hair and makeup design. Then, we had a movement coach—Alex Reynolds. She was very specific with every one of the witches [with] how they moved. She helped me find my character as well through movement, and the physicality of the character. Usually, I work from the inside out, but [here] I started from the outside in, drawing clues from everything and piecing everything together through the art.
You had to watch the world watch the show while you were also figuring out just how your character fit into the story. What has the experience been for you of watching the show every week and seeing how it comes together and how you fit into this world?
Amy Tsang: I am genuinely surprised at how creative each episode is. I had some idea of how the story might go, but there are some pretty shocking things that happened in the past few episodes that I did not expect. It’s very fresh. I mean, for a Disney+ show, it’s very edgy. I am really impressed, and I’m so proud of how it’s been unfolding. It’s definitely something that is unexpected in the Star Wars universe.
The Brendok Witches’ Ascension Ceremony Was A High Point Of Tsang’s Time On The Show
Something this show does so well is it captures the look and feel of Star Wars with every frame. Do you have a first moment where you looked around and really felt like, “Okay, I’ve arrived”?
Amy Tsang: Yeah. We started with the Ascension ceremony. We started to shoot that as the first thing. We had several rehearsals doing the dance and the chant, but I hadn’t seen anybody in their hair and makeup. The night we first stepped on set with all the witches with their hair and makeup, it was like, “Wow. Everybody looks incredible.” I was totally immersed from the moment I stepped on the set. The sets were fully realized. Anything you see on screen wasn’t CG, so I was very much immersed from that moment of stepping on set.
I interviewed Michael Abels, who did the music for this, and I know that was a big moment for him because he had to write music leading up to shooting. Do you remember the feeling of doing the chant and [filming that aspect of the scene?]
Amy Tsang: It was absolutely magical. I’ve never had a song play while [in a scene]. He had created the song prior to us doing the ascension ceremony, so the music was playing in the background. It was playing for our rehearsals, so we didn’t have to try that hard. It was all there, the speakers were blasting the music, and I just got this feeling of the power of many. It all came together and the music really, really helped the emotion of it. It was incredible.
Tsang On The Acolyte’s Biggest-Name Collaborators
In episode seven is the big confrontation between the Jedi and the witches. How was it to be a part of those moments when you have Indara and Sol and those incredible actors sharing a space with all of you?
Amy Tsang: Even in the makeup room when I saw them sitting next to me, they were so kind. [They] just had this gravitas to them, but [they were] so human and kind—both of them. I admired Lee Jung-jae since I was very young. I watched all his Korean dramas and everything, so having him sit beside me in the makeup room was kind of surreal. I had watched his face in so many things even before Squid Game, which I loved. So seeing him on set and seeing him work was the most amazing experience.
And Carrie-Anne Moss… I mean, she’s so badass. And then the Wookie Jedi… I was like, “This is crazy.” Being dropped into this world and having one line there was like, “Wow, okay. I’m a part of this.” It is still quite surreal that it happened for me.
You worked with the director Kogonada, and Leslye Headland was of course there overseeing everything. Can you speak to your relationship with them, and how they approached putting all this together?
Amy Tsang: Kogonada is the coolest. I was a huge fan, and when I heard that he was going to be the director of our episodes, I was so excited. For someone like me, who also wants to direct, watching him work is a masterclass. Coming from the indie world and working the way he works on a huge set, he was able to draw out the best performances from everybody. He was so calm. I joke around and say he’s the Jedi master of directors because he is so calm on his exterior, but he’s got so much going on, and he’s so laser-sharp on what he wants.
I really think that it being such a collaborative, positive, and supportive set started from the top. Leslye Headland, the moment I stepped onto set my first day, came and greeted me. She said, “Thank you for being here.” [She was] very personable, very warm, she asked me how I was doing, if I was liking London, and we had some conversation before I filmed my first scene. It made my job so easy because it was such a comfortable environment. I don’t even remember feeling nervous about being there because everybody was so kind and the environment was just positive.
Tsang Is Working On A Semi-Autobiographical Indie Feature
Hopefully we’ll see more of you inStar Wars, but while we cross our fingers, [do you have any] future projects [on the horizon?]
Amy Tsang: Hopefully, my own indie feature that I’m writing that I hope to direct and also play a role in. It’s called Lady Luck, it’s inspired by my brother and my relationship, and set in the nineties in New York Chinatown gambling dens.
About The Acolyte
A mystery-thriller that explores a new era in Star Wars, the end of the prosperous High Republic era. As shadowy secrets and dark side powers begin to emerge a former Padawan will reunite with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes. However, they soon learn that the forces they are up against are more sinister than anyone could have expected.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
