The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting teases for Season 2, a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. To ensure you catch all the highlights, we've gathered all the key details right here.
While we're still waiting for Season 2 footage and a release date, we did get some intriguing insights into what's coming next. Let's dive in and explore what was revealed.
First Look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Revealed at Star Wars Celebration
The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration gave us our first glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those unfamiliar, McCann is taking over the role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson.
Stevenson, who passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, left an indelible mark on fans with his portrayal of Baylan. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the challenge of moving forward without Ray, praising him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the direction they've chosen for the character. He emphasized that Baylan is meant to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's grateful for the iconic performance Ray delivered, which serves as a blueprint for the role. Filoni also shared his appreciation for meeting and casting McCann, who is dedicated to honoring Ray's legacy.
Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2
After his impactful role in the first season, it was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2. While details about Anakin's involvement remain under wraps, Christensen shared his enthusiasm at the Ahsoka panel.
"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen remarked, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously mentioned the lengths he went to work with Christensen again, even joking about inventing entire dimensions. Christensen expressed his joy at bringing to life a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars, which he hadn't previously portrayed in live action. "All of this had been presented well in the animated world, but I was really excited to do that in live action," he said, appreciating the new look for Anakin beyond the traditional Jedi robes.
Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces
Although the panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a sneak peek at what's to come in Season 2, including the return of beloved characters. The trailer, composed of static images, confirmed that Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper will be back. Additionally, it was revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role in the upcoming story, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fans can also look forward to adorable Loth-Kittens and, as Filoni teased, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."
While the return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, the team is currently rewriting episodes ahead of production starting next week.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka
In addition to Season 2 teases, the panel offered insights into Ahsoka's inspirations and creation. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, particularly citing Princess Mononoke as his favorite, which inspired Ahsoka's distinctive wolf fang markings.
Filoni was joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, who discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau brainstormed about future projects. Filoni's deep connection to Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led them to consider her transition to live-action. After finding the right actor and aesthetic, they introduced Ahsoka in an episode of The Mandalorian Season 2, with Rosario Dawson taking on the role after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed voice work in animation.
Dawson shared her excitement upon being chosen, recalling how she muted herself on a video call to contain her joy upon seeing the art and drawings of her as Ahsoka. Initially, her appearance was intended as a one-off, but fan reactions and the story's potential led to its continuation. As Favreau noted, the Ahsoka series allowed them to expand on storylines established in animation while continuing Ahsoka's journey, much like watching A New Hope. Dawson expressed her eagerness to explore Ahsoka's character further, understanding her fears, anxieties, and her reluctance to take on a mentor role.
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"Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful," Dawson said. "It was just so magnificent on so many levels. To see the fan reaction that allowed this story to continue was a dream come true."
Ahsoka's journey has indeed continued beyond that initial episode, proving that the effort to bring her to life was worthwhile. As the team moves forward, they remain committed to honoring the rich history and future of this beloved character.
