The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates and reveals for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll, stories from behind the scenes, and much more. To make sure you're fully caught up, we've compiled all the key highlights right here.

While we're still waiting for footage and a release date for Season 2 of Ahsoka, the panel provided some tantalizing details about what fans can look forward to in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive right in and explore what was shared.

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 as Baylan Skoll in 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, and his performance as Baylan was a highlight for many fans. 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 Ahsoka's counterpart in every way and is 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 significant 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. While details about Anakin's involvement in the new episodes remain under wraps, Christensen attended the 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. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously mentioned that he had to "invent entire dimensions" to work with Christensen again.

Christensen expressed his excitement about 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

Although the panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a sneak peek into Season 2, confirming the return of beloved characters such as 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 appearance of adorable Loth-Kittens and various starfighters, including X-Wings and A-Wings.

While the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was revealed that the team is currently rewriting 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 delved into the inspirations and creation of Ahsoka. Series creator 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, with Filoni and Favreau considering what to explore next. 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 shared her excitement upon learning she would play the character, mentioning the fan-driven campaign that supported her casting. 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 history and future to explore.

Rosario Dawson expressed her enthusiasm for 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 experience for Dawson, and she looks forward to further developing Ahsoka's story in live action.

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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."

As Ahsoka's journey continues to unfold, the anticipation for Season 2 grows, promising more thrilling adventures and deeper insights into this beloved character's world.