Disney's controversial, canceled Star Wars show is suddenly a streaming hit (and we think we know why)

The past few weeks have been a great time to be a Star Wars fan thanks to a delectable new Darth Maul outing in Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord. There's also been the promotional run-up to The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is set to debut in theaters on May 22. However, one surprising Star Wars property has captured fans' attention this month: The Acolyte. To say showrunner Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte had a mixed reception from Star Wars fans would be the understatement of the century. From a certain subset of fans attacking cast members online to criticism of the show’s pacing and story decisions, discussing The Acolyte online during its run felt like a bloodbath. Sometimes, it still does. With all that controversy and rancid history behind the show, the fact that it was recently trending on Disney Plus might seem absurd. How could this have happened? Well, it might have something to do with Maul — Shadow Lord. The animated adventure following Maul drew 4.1 million viewers shortly after its premiere, an impressive number that underscores how eager Star Wars fans are for more adventures featuring the franchise's coolest Sith. The 10-episode series is set to conclude on May 4 (aka, S