Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: All Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with exciting updates and teases for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll, stories from the making of the series, and much more. To ensure you catch every detail, we've compiled it all here for you.

While we're still awaiting footage and a release date for Season 2 of Ahsoka, the panel provided insights into what fans can anticipate in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive into the highlights.

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 glimpse of Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll for Season 2. Following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, McCann has taken on the role, which was a beloved highlight of the series for many fans.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni discussed the emotional challenge of continuing without Ray, praising him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the direction taken with the character, emphasizing that Baylan is designed to be Ahsoka's parallel. He also highlighted his gratitude for having a clear vision for the character, thanks to Ray's iconic performance. Filoni felt fortunate to cast McCann, noting his dedication to honoring Ray's legacy.

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

Hayden Christensen, who played a pivotal role in Ahsoka's first season, confirmed his return as Anakin Skywalker for Season 2 at Star Wars Celebration. While specifics about Anakin's role remain under wraps, Christensen shared his enthusiasm for reprising the character, particularly exploring the World Between Worlds. He described the experience as a "dream" and appreciated the creative approach to his character's development.

For Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni, working with Christensen again was a priority, humorously stating he "invented entire dimensions" to make it happen. Christensen enjoyed bringing to life a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars, which he hadn't portrayed in live-action before, and was excited about the character's new look.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

Although a traditional trailer was absent, the panel provided a visual sneak peek into Season 2, confirming the return of characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. Additionally, Admiral Ackbar will play a significant role, facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. The panel teased the inclusion of adorable Loth-Kittens and various starfighters, including X-Wings and A-Wings, with some surprises yet to be revealed.

While the return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was mentioned that the team is currently revising episodes as production is set to begin next week.

In addition to Season 2 teasers, 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 the series' origins, which began post-Season 1 of The Mandalorian. Their shared passion for Ahsoka Tano, co-created by Filoni and George Lucas, led to her introduction in live-action. Rosario Dawson, chosen to portray Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's animated performance, shared her excitement and gratitude for the role, especially after the fan-driven campaign to cast her.

Initially envisioned as a one-off appearance, Ahsoka's journey expanded due to overwhelming fan support. Jon Favreau highlighted how the series evolved to continue the narrative from the animated series while introducing new elements. For the team, Ahsoka's story resonates with the spirit of "A New Hope," starting mid-journey and offering rich storytelling possibilities. Rosario Dawson expressed her eagerness to further explore Ahsoka's complex character and emotional journey in live-action.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 22 Images

Rosario Dawson encapsulated the sentiment, saying, "Even if this never happens again, I’m so grateful. 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."