Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: Key Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with exciting updates, including teases for Season 2, a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, and behind-the-scenes stories that gave fans a deeper insight into the making of the series. Here's a comprehensive breakdown to ensure you catch every detail.

Although we haven't seen any footage of Season 2 or received a release date yet, the panel provided tantalizing hints about what to expect in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in.

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, who originally portrayed Baylan.

Stevenson passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan was a highlight for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the emotional challenge of moving forward without Ray, praising him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would have approved of the direction they've taken with the character.

Filoni sees Baylan as Ahsoka's counterpart in every way and is grateful for the iconic foundation Ray established for the character. He also shared his appreciation for McCann, noting that his primary focus was not to let Ray down.

Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2

Following his significant role in the first season, Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker for Season 2 was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration. While specifics about Anakin's role remain under wraps, Christensen shared his enthusiasm for returning to the character during the panel.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. Dave Filoni humorously noted the lengths he went to bring Christensen back, saying he had to "invent entire dimensions to make it happen."

Christensen was particularly excited about portraying a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, which he hadn't fully explored in live-action before. "All of this had been presented well in the animated world, but I was really excited to do that in live action," he said, adding that it was refreshing to see Anakin in a new look beyond the traditional Jedi robes.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

While no traditional trailer was shown, the panel offered a sneak peek into Season 2 with static images confirming the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper.

It was also revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. The series will feature adorable Loth-Kittens and, according to Filoni, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about." Although the exact return date to Disney+ remains unknown, the team is currently re-writing episodes as they prepare to start production next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

In addition to Season 2 updates, the panel shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about Ahsoka's creation and inspirations. Dave Filoni revealed 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 Season 1 of The Mandalorian. Filoni, who co-created Ahsoka Tano with George Lucas, and Favreau agreed on bringing her to live-action. This led to Dawson's casting, following Ashley Eckstein's animated portrayal. Dawson shared her excitement and the overwhelming fan support that paved the way for Ahsoka's continued journey.

The series was initially approached as a one-off appearance, but the positive response and the potential for storytelling led to its expansion. Favreau noted the shift towards continuing storylines from animation, culminating in a narrative that resonates with fans as it mirrors the structure of A New Hope.

Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about exploring Ahsoka's character further in live-action, understanding her complexities and growth. "I did not know where this character was going in live action," Dawson said, highlighting the opportunity to delve into Ahsoka's fears, anxieties, and her role as a mentor.

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"Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful," Dawson said, reflecting on the joy of seeing the fan reaction that enabled Ahsoka's story to continue. The journey from animation to live-action has been a dream come true, and there's much more to explore and celebrate in the world of Ahsoka.