Rory McCann Debuts as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka at Star Wars Celebration

The Star Wars Celebration event brought exciting news for fans of the Ahsoka series, unveiling the first look at Rory McCann as the new Baylan Skoll in Season 2. McCann steps into the role following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan and left a significant impact on the series with his compelling performance.

Here's the first-look image of Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll:

Ray Stevenson, celebrated for his roles in Thor, RRR, Punisher: War Zone, Rome, and many other projects, sadly passed away from a brief illness just three months before Ahsoka's premiere. His portrayal of Baylan was widely regarded as a highlight of the first season.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni openly discussed the challenge of moving forward without Stevenson, emphasizing how Ray's presence was invaluable both on and off the screen. Filoni stated, "Losing Ray was obviously one of the biggest challenges in developing Season 2, especially since he was 'the most beautiful person on screen and off.'"

The panel also teased what fans can look forward to in Season 2, including the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, alongside other beloved characters such as Admiral Ackbar, Zeb, and Chopper.

In our review of the first season of Ahsoka, we noted that the series initially struggled to bring viewers up to speed with the extensive lore from Dave Filoni's animated Star Wars shows. However, once the narrative found its footing, Ahsoka delivered a captivating blend of rich lore, humor, and epic battles, evoking the essence of classic Star Wars while charting new territory.

For further insights, don't miss our ranking of Ahsoka among the best Star Wars Disney+ live-action TV shows, and our detailed analysis of the Season 1 finale.