Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: Key Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates for fans eager to learn more about Season 2. From a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll to stories from the making of the series, the event was a treasure trove of information. To ensure you don't miss any of the exciting details, we're here to break it all down for you in one comprehensive piece.

Although we haven't seen any footage of Season 2 of Ahsoka yet or received a release date, we were given some tantalizing hints about what to expect in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in and explore what was shared at the celebration.

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

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration provided fans with their 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 the premiere of Ahsoka, and his performance as Baylan was widely regarded as a highlight of the series. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the challenge of moving forward after Ray's death, emphasizing that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would be pleased with the direction they've chosen for the character.

Filoni sees Baylan as a direct parallel to Ahsoka, and he's grateful for the "blueprint" Stevenson provided for the character. He also shared his appreciation for meeting and casting McCann, noting that McCann's focus was 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, 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 role in the new episodes remain scarce, Christensen attended the Ahsoka panel to discuss his return.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. He found the experience "really exciting." Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously mentioned that he had to "invent entire dimensions" to work with Christensen again.

Christensen also expressed his joy in 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, noting the thrill of seeing Anakin in a new look beyond the traditional Jedi robes.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

While the Ahsoka panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a glimpse into what fans can expect from Season 2, including the return of beloved characters. The trailer, composed of still images, confirmed that Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper will all 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 seeing 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 unknown, 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

In addition to the big reveals for Season 2, the panel offered insights into the inspirations and creation of Ahsoka. Dave Filoni shared that he has been deeply influenced by Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, with his favorite film being Princess Mononoke. This influence is evident in Ahsoka's design, particularly the two wolf fangs on her cheeks.

Filoni was joined on stage by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, who discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea for the series emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau were brainstorming their next project. Filoni's passion for Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led them to explore bringing her into live-action.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed performance in the animated series. Dawson shared her excitement upon learning she would play the character, mentioning the fan-driven campaign that supported her casting. Initially, her appearance in The Mandalorian was intended as a one-off, but the overwhelming fan response paved the way for Ahsoka's continued journey.

Jon Favreau highlighted how the Ahsoka series evolved, integrating characters like Bo-Katan and continuing storylines established in animation. For the team, Ahsoka's narrative is akin to watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much history and future to explore.

Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about delving deeper into Ahsoka's character in live-action, understanding her fears, anxieties, and her desire to help from afar without fully embracing the mentor role.

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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 allowed Ahsoka's story to continue. The journey from a single episode to a full series has been a dream come true for her and the team, proving that the effort to bring Ahsoka to life on a day-to-day basis was well worth it.