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

Star Wars Celebration has provided fans with an exciting first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2 of Ahsoka. McCann is taking on the character following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan. Although we haven't seen McCann's performance yet, the Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration shared a first-look image, which you can view below.

Stevenson, celebrated for his roles in Thor, RRR, Punisher: War Zone, Rome, and more, tragically passed away from a brief illness just three months before Ahsoka's premiere. His portrayal of Baylan was widely regarded as a standout element of the series.

Series creator Dave Filoni expressed the profound impact of losing Stevenson, noting that it was one of the biggest challenges in developing Season 2. He described Stevenson as "the most beautiful person on screen and off," underscoring the deep loss felt by the team.

During the panel, Filoni and the team also teased what fans can expect in Season 2. This includes the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, alongside beloved characters such as Admiral Ackbar, Zeb, and Chopper.

In our review of Ahsoka's first season, we noted that the series initially struggled to bring viewers up to speed on the characters and concepts introduced in Filoni's animated Star Wars shows. However, once the narrative found its footing, Ahsoka delivered a compelling blend of rich lore, humor, and epic battles, evoking the essence of classic Star Wars while paving the way for fresh storytelling.

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