Ahsoka Panel at Star Wars Celebration: Key Announcements

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting teases for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. To make sure you're up to speed on all the latest developments, we've compiled a comprehensive breakdown of the panel's highlights.

Although we haven't seen any footage from Season 2 of Ahsoka yet, nor do we have a release date, the panel provided tantalizing details about what fans can look forward to in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right into the exciting news!

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 glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those new to the series, McCann is taking over from Ray Stevenson, who tragically passed away just three months before the premiere of Ahsoka. Stevenson's portrayal of Baylan was a standout for many fans.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke candidly about the challenge of moving forward without Stevenson, praising him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Stevenson would approve of the direction they've chosen for the character. He emphasized that Baylan is intended to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's grateful for the iconic blueprint Stevenson left behind. Filoni also shared his gratitude for meeting and casting McCann, who is focused on honoring Stevenson'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 specifics about Anakin's role remain under wraps, Christensen joined the panel to share his enthusiasm for returning to the character.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said. "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 series creator Dave Filoni humorously remarked that he knew he had to work with Christensen again, even if it meant "inventing entire dimensions" to make it happen.

Christensen was particularly thrilled to portray a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars, a side of the character 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," he 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 sneak peek at what's in store for Season 2, including the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The teaser was composed of static images rather than moving footage.

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, as Filoni teased, "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 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 on stage, Filoni discussed the origins of the Ahsoka series. It all began 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 them to explore bringing her to live-action.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka after Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed performance in the animated series. Dawson recounted the excitement of learning she'd play the character, especially after a strong online campaign supported her casting. She was shown art and drawings of herself as Ahsoka, which left her ecstatic.

Initially, the team approached Ahsoka's appearance in The Mandalorian as a one-off, unsure if they could sustain her in live-action long-term. However, the overwhelming fan response paved the way for Ahsoka's continued journey.

"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."

As the series evolved, it incorporated revisited characters like Bo-Katan, blending the continuity of the animated series with new live-action storylines. Favreau noted that Ahsoka's narrative structure mirrors that of A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey and building on what came before and after.

Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about exploring Ahsoka's character further in live-action. "I did not know where this character was going in live action," she 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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