Rory McCann Confirmed as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Season 2

Tokyo, Japan — Rory McCann will officially take over the role of Baylan Skoll in the second season of the popular Disney+ series Ahsoka, following the untimely death of Ray Stevenson. The news was announced at the Star Wars Celebration 2025 event, where McCann’s casting was confirmed amid heartfelt tributes to Stevenson.

Stevenson’s portrayal of Baylan Skoll in season 1 rapidly became a fan favorite, making his sudden passing in May 2023 a significant loss for both fans and the show’s creators. Acknowledging this loss, Dave Filoni, chief creative officer of Lucasfilm, expressed, “Ray was the most beautiful person on the screen and off” while discussing the challenges of continuing Baylan’s narrative.

During the presentation, Filoni acknowledged the difficult decision to recast Skoll, ultimately leading to McCann’s casting. “Baylan is important. He’s the parallel to Ahsoka, and that’s a parallel that’s got to continue,” Filoni stated. Attendees were treated to an exclusive first look at McCann’s portrayal in two images, showcasing the character with and without his lightsaber.

Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka Tano, expressed her excitement about the new season and working with McCann. “I’m excited to bring on Rory [McCann], and Rory has that incredible balance of intensity, fierceness, love, and passion that Ray [Stevenson] had,” she said.

Ahsoka Season 2 is set to begin filming next week, and while details remain scarce, Filoni mentioned that production will be starting “shortly” in the U.K. He did not provide a specific timeline for release but noted that expectations for the show’s return should be tempered, as Season 2 might not air until late 2026.

The forthcoming season promises to delve deeper into the story of Ahsoka and her renewed confrontation with the Imperial Remnant, as teased in a new trailer composed entirely of concept art. This sneak peek revealed intense battles between New Republic and Imperial forces, along with glimpses of Ezra Bridger teaming up with New Republic pilots.

Alongside the return of McCann, Hayden Christensen is set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, adding further excitement to the upcoming season. Filoni confirmed that Admiral Ackbar would also make an appearance, potentially leading to intriguing confrontations with Grand Admiral Thrawn.

The first season of Ahsoka, which debuted in 2023, explored Ahsoka Tano’s journey post-Return of the Jedi and featured characters from the animated Star Wars Rebels series.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates since the emotional conclusion of the first season, and with the announcements made at Celebration, the anticipation for Ahsoka Season 2 is reaching new heights.