Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: Key Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with exciting teases for Season 2, a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, and captivating behind-the-scenes stories. We're here to break down all the highlights to ensure you're up to speed on everything that was shared.

While we haven't yet seen footage of Season 2 or received a release date, we did get a glimpse of what to expect in these upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in and explore the key announcements.

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

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration unveiled our first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those who might not know, McCann is taking over this role following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson, who portrayed Baylan in the first season.

Ray Stevenson passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan remains a highlight for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni discussed the challenge of continuing without Ray, emphasizing that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Despite the difficulty, Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the direction they've chosen.

Filoni highlighted that Baylan is designed to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's thankful for the "blueprint" Ray provided for the character. He also expressed gratitude for meeting and casting McCann, noting that McCann's primary focus was to honor Ray's legacy.

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

Hayden Christensen, who played a pivotal role in the first season of Ahsoka, confirmed his return as Anakin Skywalker for Season 2 at Star Wars Celebration. While details about Anakin's role remain under wraps, Christensen shared his excitement about reprising the 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."

Ahsoka's creator, Dave Filoni, humorously noted his eagerness to work with Christensen again, even joking about inventing entire dimensions to make it happen. For Christensen, the joy was in bringing to life a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars, a portrayal he hadn't fully explored before.

"All of this had been presented well in the animated world, but I was really excited to do that in live action," Christensen said. "As much as I love the traditional Jedi robes I wore during the prequels, it was exciting to get to see Anakin with a new look."

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

While the panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a glimpse into Season 2 with a series of still images. These images confirmed the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper.

Additionally, it was revealed that Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role in the upcoming story, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. The panel also teased the appearance of adorable Loth-Kittens and, according to Filoni, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."

Although the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was mentioned that the team is currently re-writing episodes as they prepare to start production next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

Alongside the big Season 2 reveals, the panel offered insights into Ahsoka's inspirations and production process. 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 the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, as Filoni and Favreau pondered their next project. Filoni, who co-created Ahsoka with George Lucas, was keen to explore bringing her into live-action.

Rosario Dawson, who took over the role from Ashley Eckstein's animated portrayal, shared her excitement upon learning she would play Ahsoka. This came after a significant online campaign supporting her for the role. When offered the part, Dawson was shown artwork of her as Ahsoka and had to mute herself on a video call due to her overwhelming excitement.

Initially, the team considered Ahsoka's appearance in The Mandalorian as a one-off, unsure if they could sustain the character long-term. However, the fan reaction and the story's potential led to a more extensive exploration.

"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."

Jon Favreau noted that as they moved into Ahsoka's episodes with revisited characters like Bo-Katan, the focus shifted toward continuing the narrative established in animation while culminating existing storylines.

For the team, Ahsoka's series is akin to watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much history and future ahead. Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about exploring and expanding Ahsoka's story further.

"I did not know where this character was going in live action," Dawson said. "I could understand her fear, anxiety, and stress and desire to help from afar. She wasn't willing to take over the mentor role herself, so it became a wonderful thing that I got to explore."

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