The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates and teases for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll, insights into the making of the series, and much more. If you're eager to catch every detail, we've got you covered with a comprehensive breakdown right here.
Although we haven't seen any footage from Season 2 of Ahsoka or received a release date yet, the panel provided a tantalizing glimpse into what fans can anticipate in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in and explore what was revealed.
The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration gave fans their first glimpse of Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in Season 2. For those unfamiliar, McCann takes over the role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan.
Stevenson passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan was a standout for many fans. Series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the challenge of moving forward without Ray, describing him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the new direction, emphasizing that Baylan is meant to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way. Filoni feels fortunate to have found McCann, who he believes shares the same dedication to honoring Ray's iconic portrayal.
After playing a pivotal role in the first season, Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2 was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration. While details about Anakin's involvement in the new episodes remain scarce, Christensen shared his enthusiasm during the panel, describing his experience as "a dream to get to do."
Christensen praised the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds and expressed excitement about portraying a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, which he hadn't fully explored in live-action before. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously mentioned needing to "invent entire dimensions" to work with Christensen again, highlighting the significance of his return.
While a traditional trailer was not shown, the panel offered a sneak peek at what to expect in Season 2, featuring images confirming the return of beloved characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. Additionally, it was revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fans can also look forward to seeing adorable Loth-Kittens, along with a variety of starfighters, including X-Wings, A-Wings, and some mysterious new additions.
Although the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, the team is currently in the process of rewriting episodes before production begins next week.
In addition to Season 2 teasers, the panel delved into the inspirations and creative processes behind Ahsoka. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, citing Princess Mononoke as his favorite film and the inspiration behind Ahsoka's distinctive wolf fangs.
Joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, Filoni discussed how the Ahsoka series came to life after the first season of The Mandalorian. The idea to bring Ahsoka Tano, a character Filoni co-created with George Lucas, into live-action was sparked during discussions about future projects. Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed voice work in the animated series, and Dawson recounted her excitement upon being cast, mentioning the fan-driven push for her to take on the role.
Initially conceived as a one-off appearance, Ahsoka's journey expanded into a full series, thanks to fan support and the creative team's vision. Jon Favreau highlighted how revisiting characters like Bo-Katan shifted the narrative towards a continuation of the animated storylines while also culminating established arcs.
For Dawson, exploring Ahsoka's journey in live-action was a thrilling experience, allowing her to delve into the character's fears, anxieties, and desires. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to expand Ahsoka's story and connect with fans on this level.
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Rosario Dawson expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to portray Ahsoka, noting that even if it had been a one-time event, it would have been a dream come true. The overwhelming fan reaction has paved the way for Ahsoka's continued journey, which feels like a natural progression from the animated world to live-action.
As the team continues to develop Ahsoka's story, there's much more to learn and explore, and Dawson is just as excited as the fans to see where the character's journey will lead next.