Ahsoka's Star Wars Celebration: Major Reveals

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 offered a treasure trove of Season 2 teases, including our first glimpse of Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories from the series' creation, and much more. To make sure you catch every detail, we're breaking down all the biggest announcements right here.

Although we haven't seen any Season 2 footage or received a release date yet, we did get some exciting hints about what's in store for these new episodes. Let's dive straight into the news.

First Look: Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in *Ahsoka* Revealed at Star Wars Celebration

The *Ahsoka* panel at Star Wars Celebration delivered our first official look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll for Season 2. McCann steps into the role following the tragic passing of the original actor, Ray Stevenson.

Stevenson passed away just three months before *Ahsoka* premiered, yet his powerful performance as Baylan became a standout highlight of the series for countless fans.

Series creator Dave Filoni discussed the challenge of moving forward after Ray's loss, calling him "the most beautiful person on screen and off." After a period of careful consideration, Filoni expressed confidence that "Ray would be happy with the direction we've chosen."

For Filoni, Baylan is designed as a narrative parallel to Ahsoka herself. He expressed immense gratitude that "there's a blueprint for this character because Ray played him so iconically." He also felt fortunate to cast McCann, knowing his "whole focus was on not letting Ray down."

Hayden Christensen Confirms Return as Anakin Skywalker in *Ahsoka* Season 2

After playing a pivotal role in the first season, it was officially confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker in *Ahsoka* Season 2.

While details about Anakin's role remain under wraps, Christensen joined the panel to share his thoughts on reprising the beloved character.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said. "The way they conceived it, exploring the World Between Worlds, was brilliant. I found the whole concept incredibly exciting."

The return was also a major moment for creator Dave Filoni, who joked about his desire to work with Christensen/Anakin again, saying he had to "invent entire dimensions to make it happen."

For Christensen, a particular joy was finally portraying a live-action version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era. "All of this existed in animation, so I was thrilled to bring it to life," he said. "And as much as I love the classic Jedi robes from the prequels, it was exciting to give Anakin a fresh look."

*Ahsoka* Season 2 Welcomes Back a Host of Fan-Favorite Characters

The panel didn't feature a standard trailer but offered a glimpse of Season 2 through a series of preview images. This confirmed the return of Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper.

Further reveals included a significant role for Admiral Ackbar, who will square off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Viewers can also expect incredibly cute Loth-Kittens and, as Filoni teased, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and wings I can't tell you about yet."

While a premiere date on Disney+ is still to be announced, it was shared that the team is finalizing scripts, with production scheduled to begin next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Shed New Light on *Ahsoka*

Beyond Season 2 news, the cast and creators shared fascinating insights into the series' inspirations and development. Filoni revealed his long-standing inspiration from Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, noting his favorite film, *Princess Mononoke*, is the reason Ahsoka's cheeks bear two wolf-like markings.

Filoni was joined on stage by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, who discussed bringing the series to life. The idea sparked after *The Mandalorian* Season 1, during a conversation between Filoni and Favreau about what to tackle next.

Given Filoni's deep connection to the character he co-created with George Lucas, they decided to explore a live-action adaptation. This led to her debut in *The Mandalorian* Season 2 after finding the perfect actor and visual style.

Rosario Dawson, who took on the role after Ashley Eckstein's iconic animated portrayal, described learning she'd been cast. Following a major fan campaign, Filoni and Favreau agreed she was ideal for the part. "They showed me concept art of myself as Ahsoka," Dawson recalled. "I had to mute the video call because I was jumping up and down."

Initially, this appearance was considered a one-off, as the team was unsure about sustaining a long-term *Ahsoka* series.

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"Even if this never happens again, I was so grateful," Dawson said. "It was magnificent on every level. Seeing the fan reaction that allowed this story to continue was a dream come true."

As we now know, Ahsoka's journey expanded far beyond a single episode. Despite initial doubts about the practical challenges of a daily series, the effort proved worthwhile.

"When we began the *Ahsoka* episodes and revisited characters like Bo-Katan, everything shifted toward continuing the legacy Dave and George built in animation while resolving established storylines," Favreau explained.

To the creative team, *Ahsoka* shares DNA with *A New Hope*—it drops us into the middle of a larger journey, with a rich history behind it and a future ahead. The approach felt perfectly natural.

There is still much to discover about Ahsoka, and Dawson is as eager as the fans to further explore and define her live-action story. "I didn't know where this character was headed," she admitted. "I understood her fear, anxiety, and desire to help from a distance. Her reluctance to fully embrace a mentorship role became a fascinating dynamic to explore."