The Star Wars franchise, which originated in 1977 under the direction of George Lucas and is currently managed by Disney, has shifted its focus towards television productions in recent years. Notable series include The Mandalorian, Andor, and The Book of Boba Fett. This article will specifically examine Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which has recently revealed its audience figures from the first week of its release. The series premiered on Disney+ on December 2 with two episodes, set a few years after Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. This project, which has a total of eight episodes available on the platform, follows a group of children who make an extraordinary discovery on their home planet, leading them on an adventure across the galaxy.
Despite receiving many positive reviews upon its debut, a recent report indicates that the series achieved the lowest viewership of any Star Wars production. According to streaming data from Nielsen, the first week accumulated just under 382 million minutes viewed, falling short of initial expectations. In contrast, The Acolyte, despite being canceled due to mixed reception, garnered a significantly higher viewership during its premiere. The series, starring Lee Jung-jae, a prominent Korean actor, reached 488 million views in its debut week, highlighting a more favorable response from the audience compared to Skeleton Crew.
One possible explanation for the lower viewership could be the series’ orientation towards a younger audience, which may limit its appeal to traditional fans of the franchise. Additionally, the absence of a widely recognized central character makes it less accessible to fans who follow other iconic figures within the Star Wars universe. For comparison, the series Obi-Wan Kenobi, featuring an iconic character, achieved 1 billion views at its premiere, while even a single episode of that series garnered 389 million minutes viewed. It will be necessary to wait a few weeks to determine if Skeleton Crew can attract a broader audience as the series progresses. This fresh and fun adventure features a star-studded cast including Jude Law from Fantastic Beasts, alongside a youthful ensemble comprising Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Timothy Smith, Ravi Cavot-Conyers, and Kyrianna Kratter.
