![\"Lizzo](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Lizzo-and-Jack-Black-Join-the-Star-Wars-Universe-.jpg?crop=0px%2C0px%2C2000px%2C1131px&resize=400%2C225&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Stars You Forgot Were in the ‘Star Wars’ Universe<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tMany stars have explored a galaxy far, far away in various Star Wars films or TV series through blink-and-you-missed-it cameos. \u00a0Prince William and Prince Harry secretly filmed a brief scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi as stormtroopers. While the scene was ultimately cut ahead of the movie\u2019s theatrical release, the clip was later included [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Creator Leslye Headland<\/strong> wasn\u2019t surprised<\/a> by the response.<\/p>\n\u201cOriginally, even up until shooting, The Stranger was not in a lot of the rest of the season. He was much more of a tee-up for a second season arc,\u201d Headland told Inverse<\/em> in July 2024. \u201cBut I saw Manny\u2019s screen test early on in pre-production, and I just thought, \u2018There will be riots in the streets if I don\u2019t [go further]. Here we go. I guess I\u2019m rewriting an episode.\u2019 Manny was so impressive in every aspect.\u201d<\/p>\nHeadland praised Jacinto for his ability not only to tell a compelling stor<\/a>y<\/a> \u2014 but to make viewers root for a more villainous arc.<\/p>\n\u201cAs a filmmaker, in my head, I\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019m positive this is going to work. If I can get Manny Jacinto, this will work. If I don\u2019t, this character won\u2019t exist. We\u2019re going to have to start from scratch and figure out something else,’\u201d she added. \u201cI was so grateful he did the show, but he surpassed my expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keep scrolling to see why Star Wars<\/em> fans are rooting for the dark side thanks to Jacinto\u2019s The Stranger:<\/p>\n1st Introduction<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-1.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen Jacinto made his Star Wars<\/em> debut on The Acolyte<\/em>,<\/a> he appeared to be a simple smuggler named Qimir who was helping Mae get revenge for what happened in her past. Mae\u2019s orders from her and Qimir\u2019s master required her to kill four Jedi from her past \u2014 and one of the kills had to be without a weapon. Qimir\u2019s role was to supply the poison for one of the murders but he stuck around long enough for Osha to trick him into thinking she was Mae to get more information out of him.<\/p>\nIt seemingly worked \u2014 until Jacinto delivered a surprisingly seductive line delivery when telling Osha she looked just like Mae. The result was several fans keeping a closer eye on Qimir moving forward.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n![\"Feature](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Feature-TV-Couples-We-Need-Together-in-2024.jpg?crop=146px%2C0px%2C1713px%2C969px&resize=400%2C225&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>TV Couples We Need to See in 2024<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tThe greatest gift for Us in 2024 would be getting to see fan-favorite couples like The Bear\u2019s Sydney and Carmy and Sweet Magnolias\u2019 Ty and Annie finally get together on screen. Since The Bear debuted in 2022, viewers and fans alike have been divided on whether the show should explore the potential romantic feelings between [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In Disguise<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-2.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe fourth episode of the show followed Sol and Osha\u2019s attempts to stop Mae from killing the new Jedi on her list a.k.a Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo<\/strong>), a Wookiee living in seclusion. Mae was already there, however, with Qimir\u2019s help. She turned on Qimir when she decided she didn\u2019t want to continue the mission and he was seemingly left for dead<\/a>.<\/p>\nMeanwhile, the Jedi group ran into a mysterious figure wearing a helmet and wielding a red lightsaber (which is famously the color that will be wielded by villains Darth Vader and Kylo Ren). This planned run-in turned into the unknown villain \u2014 now known as The Stranger \u2014 facing off against a handful of Jedi warriors and coming up victorious.<\/p>\n
His impeccable skills on the battleground earned him even more support.<\/p>\n
The Unmasking<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-3.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSince everyone wanted to know who was under the helmet, The Acolyte<\/em> didn\u2019t keep Us<\/em> waiting long. An expert move from Jecki\u2019s (Dafne Keen<\/strong>) lightsaber caused The Stranger\u2019s helmet to come off<\/a> and for Jacinto\u2019s face to hit our screens.<\/p>\nThe Stranger wasn\u2019t too concerned that his identity was blown as he continued to kill off anyone who was there. His commitment to the chaos \u2014 coupled with an outfit that showed off his impressive biceps \u2014 made Jacinto\u2019s episode the talk of the internet.<\/p>\n
A Sweet Moment<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-4.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAn antagonist needs one of two things to appeal to the audience: a sad backstory or a charged moment with another character that has Us<\/em> yearning for them to become a couple<\/a>. Star Wars<\/em> took the second route \u2014 although hints have also been dropped about The Stranger\u2019s past \u2014 by having him form an unexpected connection with Osha.<\/p>\nAfter initially working with her sister, The Stranger made it clear he didn\u2019t trust Mae\u2019s devotion to him anymore. The Stranger is on the search for a pupil, but along the way he notices a natural evolution between him and Osha.<\/p>\n
The fifth episode ended with Mae swapping places with Osha, who was knocked out against her will. Along came The Stranger, who was kind enough to use his jacket as a blanket for Osha like a true gentleman.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-2.png?w=400&h=225&crop=1&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Us Weekly’s Favorite New TV Couples<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tFrom Star Wars: The Acolyte\u2018s Osha and Qimir to My Lady Jane\u2019s Jane and Guildford, TV couples have kept Us fed this year. There have been many fictional relationships we wanted to see come to life in 2024, but the best surprises sprouted from the pairings we weren\u2019t expecting to fall in love with this [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Knowing What the Audience Wants<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-5.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere was no plot-related reason for Osha to wake up in the sixth episode on an unknown planet only to follow The Stranger as he took a bath in the lake. Regardless, The Acolyte<\/em> blessed Us<\/em> with a moment<\/a> where Jacinto stripped down and later emerged from the water in a scene that felt ripped straight from some Star Wars<\/em> fan fiction (and that is a compliment).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
Escalating the Tension<\/h3>\n\n![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Character-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side-6.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Disney+<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe entire sixth episode focused on Osha learning more about The Stranger \u2014 including the fact that they aren\u2019t as different as she initially thought. Osha even put on his helmet, but the lead-up to the moment was even more exciting.<\/p>\n
\u201cOriginally, even up until shooting, The Stranger was not in a lot of the rest of the season. He was much more of a tee-up for a second season arc,\u201d Headland told Inverse<\/em> in July 2024. \u201cBut I saw Manny\u2019s screen test early on in pre-production, and I just thought, \u2018There will be riots in the streets if I don\u2019t [go further]. Here we go. I guess I\u2019m rewriting an episode.\u2019 Manny was so impressive in every aspect.\u201d<\/p>\n Headland praised Jacinto for his ability not only to tell a compelling stor<\/a>y<\/a> \u2014 but to make viewers root for a more villainous arc.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a filmmaker, in my head, I\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019m positive this is going to work. If I can get Manny Jacinto, this will work. If I don\u2019t, this character won\u2019t exist. We\u2019re going to have to start from scratch and figure out something else,’\u201d she added. \u201cI was so grateful he did the show, but he surpassed my expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n Keep scrolling to see why Star Wars<\/em> fans are rooting for the dark side thanks to Jacinto\u2019s The Stranger:<\/p>\n When Jacinto made his Star Wars<\/em> debut on The Acolyte<\/em>,<\/a> he appeared to be a simple smuggler named Qimir who was helping Mae get revenge for what happened in her past. Mae\u2019s orders from her and Qimir\u2019s master required her to kill four Jedi from her past \u2014 and one of the kills had to be without a weapon. Qimir\u2019s role was to supply the poison for one of the murders but he stuck around long enough for Osha to trick him into thinking she was Mae to get more information out of him.<\/p>\n It seemingly worked \u2014 until Jacinto delivered a surprisingly seductive line delivery when telling Osha she looked just like Mae. The result was several fans keeping a closer eye on Qimir moving forward.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThe greatest gift for Us in 2024 would be getting to see fan-favorite couples like The Bear\u2019s Sydney and Carmy and Sweet Magnolias\u2019 Ty and Annie finally get together on screen. Since The Bear debuted in 2022, viewers and fans alike have been divided on whether the show should explore the potential romantic feelings between [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The fourth episode of the show followed Sol and Osha\u2019s attempts to stop Mae from killing the new Jedi on her list a.k.a Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo<\/strong>), a Wookiee living in seclusion. Mae was already there, however, with Qimir\u2019s help. She turned on Qimir when she decided she didn\u2019t want to continue the mission and he was seemingly left for dead<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Jedi group ran into a mysterious figure wearing a helmet and wielding a red lightsaber (which is famously the color that will be wielded by villains Darth Vader and Kylo Ren). This planned run-in turned into the unknown villain \u2014 now known as The Stranger \u2014 facing off against a handful of Jedi warriors and coming up victorious.<\/p>\n His impeccable skills on the battleground earned him even more support.<\/p>\n Since everyone wanted to know who was under the helmet, The Acolyte<\/em> didn\u2019t keep Us<\/em> waiting long. An expert move from Jecki\u2019s (Dafne Keen<\/strong>) lightsaber caused The Stranger\u2019s helmet to come off<\/a> and for Jacinto\u2019s face to hit our screens.<\/p>\n The Stranger wasn\u2019t too concerned that his identity was blown as he continued to kill off anyone who was there. His commitment to the chaos \u2014 coupled with an outfit that showed off his impressive biceps \u2014 made Jacinto\u2019s episode the talk of the internet.<\/p>\n An antagonist needs one of two things to appeal to the audience: a sad backstory or a charged moment with another character that has Us<\/em> yearning for them to become a couple<\/a>. Star Wars<\/em> took the second route \u2014 although hints have also been dropped about The Stranger\u2019s past \u2014 by having him form an unexpected connection with Osha.<\/p>\n After initially working with her sister, The Stranger made it clear he didn\u2019t trust Mae\u2019s devotion to him anymore. The Stranger is on the search for a pupil, but along the way he notices a natural evolution between him and Osha.<\/p>\n The fifth episode ended with Mae swapping places with Osha, who was knocked out against her will. Along came The Stranger, who was kind enough to use his jacket as a blanket for Osha like a true gentleman.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tFrom Star Wars: The Acolyte\u2018s Osha and Qimir to My Lady Jane\u2019s Jane and Guildford, TV couples have kept Us fed this year. There have been many fictional relationships we wanted to see come to life in 2024, but the best surprises sprouted from the pairings we weren\u2019t expecting to fall in love with this [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There was no plot-related reason for Osha to wake up in the sixth episode on an unknown planet only to follow The Stranger as he took a bath in the lake. Regardless, The Acolyte<\/em> blessed Us<\/em> with a moment<\/a> where Jacinto stripped down and later emerged from the water in a scene that felt ripped straight from some Star Wars<\/em> fan fiction (and that is a compliment).<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n The entire sixth episode focused on Osha learning more about The Stranger \u2014 including the fact that they aren\u2019t as different as she initially thought. Osha even put on his helmet, but the lead-up to the moment was even more exciting.<\/p>\n1st Introduction<\/h3>\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>TV Couples We Need to See in 2024<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nIn Disguise<\/h3>\n
<\/div>The Unmasking<\/h3>\n
<\/div>A Sweet Moment<\/h3>\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Us Weekly’s Favorite New TV Couples<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nKnowing What the Audience Wants<\/h3>\n
<\/div>Thank You!<\/h3>\n
Escalating the Tension<\/h3>\n
<\/div>
![\"Every](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Every-Time-Manny-Jacinto-s-The-Stranger-Made-Star-Wars-The-Acolyte-Fans-Root-for-the-Dark-Side.png?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>