The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was a treasure trove of exciting updates and teases for Season 2, featuring a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, stories from the making of the series, and much more. To ensure you catch every detail, we've compiled all the highlights in one place.
While we didn't get to see any footage from Season 2 of Ahsoka or receive a release date, the panel offered some intriguing insights into what fans can anticipate in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive 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 look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those unfamiliar, McCann is taking on this role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan.
Stevenson's untimely death occurred just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan left a lasting impact on many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni discussed the emotional 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 direction they've chosen for the character. He emphasized Baylan's role as a parallel to Ahsoka, crediting Stevenson for setting an iconic standard. Filoni also praised McCann's dedication, noting his focus on honoring Ray's legacy.
Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2
After playing a pivotal role in the first season of Ahsoka, 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 reprising the beloved character.
"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen remarked. "The way they conceived how to do it was brilliant in getting to explore the World Between Worlds. I thought it was all really exciting."
Dave Filoni humorously noted his determination to work with Christensen again, even joking that he "invented entire dimensions" to make it happen. Christensen expressed joy in portraying a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, a character he hadn't fully explored in live-action before. He was particularly excited about Anakin's new look, distinct from the traditional Jedi robes he wore in the prequels.
Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces
The Ahsoka panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, but it did provide a glimpse into Season 2, confirming the return of familiar characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper through a series of static images.
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 the adorable Loth-Kittens and, as teased by Filoni, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."
Although the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains unknown, it was shared that the team is currently re-writing episodes, with production set to start next week.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka --------------------------------------------------Alongside the big reveals for Season 2, the panel offered a deep dive into the inspirations and creation process behind Ahsoka. Dave Filoni shared his admiration for Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, citing Princess Mononoke as his favorite movie and the inspiration behind Ahsoka's distinctive wolf fangs.
Joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson on stage, they discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea originated after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau brainstormed their next project. Filoni's deep connection to Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led to the decision to bring her into live-action.
Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka following a strong fan push, stepping into the role previously voiced by Ashley Eckstein in the animated series. Dawson shared her excitement upon being cast, recalling how she muted herself on a video call to contain her joy upon seeing the concept art.
Initially, Ahsoka's live-action appearance was intended as a one-off, but the overwhelming fan response paved the way for a more extended narrative. Favreau highlighted how the series evolved to continue storylines established in animation, likening Ahsoka's journey to watching A New Hope – a story that starts mid-journey with much history and future to explore.
Dawson expressed her eagerness to delve deeper into Ahsoka's character, understanding her fears and desires, and exploring her reluctance to assume a mentorship 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."
The journey of Ahsoka from animation to live-action has been a complex yet rewarding endeavor, proving that the character's story has much more to offer. As the team continues to develop Season 2, fans eagerly await the next chapter in Ahsoka's saga.
