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

Star Wars Celebration has unveiled our first glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2 of *Ahsoka*, following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson. Known for his roles in *Thor*, *RRR*, *Punisher: War Zone*, *Rome*, and more, Stevenson's portrayal of Baylan was a standout in the series, and his sudden death due to a brief illness just three months before the premiere of *Ahsoka* left a significant impact on fans and the production alike.

The *Ahsoka* panel at Star Wars Celebration provided us with an exclusive first-look image of McCann as Baylan, which you can see below. While we have yet to witness McCann's performance, the anticipation is high to see how he will bring this complex character to life.

Series creator Dave Filoni shared the emotional challenge of losing Stevenson, describing him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." This sentiment underscores the profound loss felt by the *Ahsoka* team as they move forward into Season 2.

During the panel, Filoni and the team also teased what fans can expect from the upcoming season. Notably, Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, joined by fan-favorite characters such as Admiral Ackbar, Zeb, and Chopper, promising an exciting continuation of the *Ahsoka* saga.

In our review of *Ahsoka*'s first season, we noted that the series initially struggled to bring viewers up to speed on the extensive lore from Dave Filoni's animated Star Wars shows. However, once the series found its footing, it delivered a compelling blend of rich lore, humor, and epic battles, capturing the essence of classic Star Wars while paving the way for fresh narratives.

For more insights, explore where *Ahsoka* stands among the best Star Wars Disney+ live-action TV shows and delve into our detailed explainer of the Season 1 finale.