The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates and teases for Season 2, a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories, and much more. To ensure you catch every detail, we've compiled all the highlights right here.

While we're still waiting for footage and a release date for Season 2 of Ahsoka, we've gathered some tantalizing tidbits about what's in store for the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in.

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 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 Ahsoka's premiere, yet his performance as Baylan was a standout for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni spoke about the challenge of moving forward after Ray, describing him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the direction they've chosen for the character.

Filoni emphasized that Baylan is designed to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's grateful for the "blueprint" Ray left behind. 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, it was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in Season 2 of Ahsoka.

While details about Anakin's role in the new episodes remain under wraps, Christensen shared his excitement about returning to the character during the Ahsoka panel. "It was a dream to get to do," he said, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously noted that he had to "invent entire dimensions" to work with Christensen again. For Christensen, returning as Anakin allowed him to portray a version of the character from the Clone Wars that he hadn't 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, expressing his enthusiasm for Anakin's new look.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

The Ahsoka panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, but it did offer a sneak peek into Season 2, confirming the return of beloved characters like Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The trailer, composed of still images, also teased the involvement of Admiral Ackbar in a significant storyline against Grand Admiral Thrawn, along with the adorable presence of Loth-Kittens.

Dave Filoni hinted at the inclusion of "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about," adding to the excitement. While the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was revealed that the team is currently re-writing episodes as production is set to begin next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

In addition to the Season 2 announcements, the panel provided deeper insights into Ahsoka's creation, inspirations, and more from the actors and creatives involved. 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, they discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea emerged after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau were brainstorming their next project. Filoni's deep connection to Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led to the decision to bring her into live-action.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka following Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed performance in the animated series. Dawson recounted the moment she learned she'd be playing the character, describing her excitement and the fan-driven push that helped secure her role. Initially, her appearance 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 revisited characters like Bo-Katan and building on the narrative foundation established in animation. For the team, Ahsoka's story mirrors the experience of watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much to explore before and after.

Rosario Dawson expressed her excitement about delving deeper into Ahsoka's character, understanding her fears, anxieties, and her reluctance to take on a mentor role. This exploration has been a rewarding journey for Dawson, and she looks forward to what lies ahead for Ahsoka.

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"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."