Dafne Keen and Charlie Barnett Discuss Last Week’s Shocking Episode of ‘The Acolyte’
WARNING: This article includes spoilers. If you haven’t seen The Acolyte Episode 5, turn back now!
While the deaths of Yord and Jecki in Episode 5 of The Acolyte shocked Star Wars fans around the world, the tragic fate of their characters came as no surprise to stars Charlie Barnett and Dafne Keen, who portrayed the Jedi.
“The first thing [Leslye] said to me was ‘You’re going to die,’” Keen recalled of her introductory conversation with The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland. “And that was something that really drew me to the character.”
(L-R): Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) and Tasi Lowa (Thara Schöön) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Barnett shared his appreciation for how straightforward Headland was.
“And I so damn appreciate that,” he said.
Image: Getty
“Leslye gave us the respect and the confidence in our performances to tell us from the very beginning and then collaborated with us on the whole process.”
Keen Calls Jecki’s Death “Unfair”
Though she knew her death was coming, Keen was still moved by how Jecki’s demise played out.
(Center to right): Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Master Lakshay (Paul Bullion) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
“As a viewer, I love a tragic death and Jecki’s death is so unfair,” Keen continued. “She’s fighting very well and she seems like she’s winning. And then [the Stranger] pulls out a dagger, which is completely cheating.”
The Atomospher on set
According to both actors, while last week’s episode of The Acolyte was full of carnage and trauma, the atmosphere on set remained warm and supportive.
“Leslye’s truly one of the best people I’ve ever worked with,” Keen said. “She’s such a generous director, and she’s so good at just learning how to listen and knowing when to assert herself and when to open her mind and take in other people’s ideas.”
“I love somebody who’s unafraid to live in who they are and their energy unapologetically,” Barnett added. “Most people in the world are attracted to that kind of freedom.”
Keen, in particular, appreciated Headland’s routine praise.
Photo: Star Wars
“This is a really silly thing, but it’s so huge: She’s really good at giving positive reinforcement,” Keen explained. “A lot of people who are high up are very good at telling you when you’ve done wrong, but not when you’ve done well.”
Thanking the Fans
With both Jecki and Yord’s stories coming to an end, Keen and Barnett took a moment to reflect on the support that they have received from fans.
Photo: Lucasfilm
“I love all of the kindness, appreciation, humor, pride, and joy that you have been investing into this,” Barnett said. “I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to notice me and notice this performance. And to notice the Yords of the world, the people who are trying to do what’s best and might have blinders on, but have the biggest and fullest heart.”
“There was something so beautiful about how Leslye wrote [Jecki’s] death,” Keen added. “I really tried to play the moment of shock — ‘Oh my God, I’m dying.’ —and also, as a Jedi, I’m going to let go. That’s what life had in store for [Jecki]. And there was something so beautiful about that.”
(L-R): Olega Master (Nick Court), Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen), Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+.
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