The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was brimming with excitement, offering tantalizing teases for Season 2, a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, behind-the-scenes stories, and much more. To keep you up to speed, we've compiled all the essential details in one convenient place.

While we're still waiting to see footage of Season 2 or get a confirmed release date, the panel gave us some tantalizing hints about what to expect from the upcoming episodes. So, 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 on the role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan.

Stevenson passed away just three months before the premiere of Ahsoka, but his portrayal of Baylan became a highlight of the series for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni discussed the emotional challenge of moving forward without Ray, noting that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Despite the difficulty, Filoni expressed confidence that Ray would approve of the direction they've taken with the character.

Filoni emphasized that Baylan is meant to be Ahsoka's counterpart in every way, and he's grateful for the blueprint Stevenson left behind. He also expressed his gratitude for meeting and casting McCann, who he believes will honor Ray's legacy by focusing on not letting him down.

Hayden Christensen Is Officially Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2

After playing a pivotal role in the first season of Ahsoka, 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 role in the new episodes remain scarce, Christensen attended the Ahsoka panel to share his excitement about returning to the character.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said. "The way they conceived how to do it was brilliant, exploring the World Between Worlds. It was all really exciting."

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni humorously remarked that he had to invent entire dimensions just to work with Christensen again. For Christensen, one of the joys of returning as Anakin was the chance to bring to life 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," Christensen said. "As much as I love the traditional Jedi robes I wore during the prequels, it was exciting to get to see Anakin with a new look."

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

Although the Ahsoka panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it did offer a glimpse into what we can expect from Season 2, confirming the return of fan-favorite characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The trailer, filled with still images, also hinted at the involvement of Admiral Ackbar in the upcoming story, where he will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Additionally, adorable Loth-Kittens and a variety of starfighters, including X-Wings, A-Wings, and some mysterious "Wings," were teased by Filoni.

While the exact return date for Ahsoka on Disney+ remains undisclosed, it was revealed that the team is currently in the process of rewriting episodes, with production set to begin next week.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories Reveal More About Ahsoka

In addition to the big reveals for Season 2, the panel offered a deeper look into the inspirations and creation of Ahsoka, shared by the actors and creatives behind the series. 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.

Filoni was joined on stage by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, who discussed the journey of bringing Ahsoka to life. The idea to feature Ahsoka in live-action originated after Season 1 of The Mandalorian, when Filoni and Favreau discussed what to bring to life next. Filoni's deep connection to Ahsoka Tano, a character he co-created with George Lucas, led to her inclusion in an episode of The Mandalorian's second season.

Rosario Dawson was chosen to portray Ahsoka in live-action after Ashley Eckstein's remarkable portrayal in animation. Dawson recounted the overwhelming moment she learned she'd be playing the character, especially after the online fan campaign supporting her for the role. Initially, the team viewed Ahsoka's appearance as a one-off, but the fan response and the story's potential led to a more extensive exploration of the character.

"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 expanded beyond that initial episode, the team faced the challenge of bringing the character to life on a regular basis. Jon Favreau noted that the introduction of characters like Bo-Katan shifted the narrative towards continuing the storylines established in animation while culminating in new live-action developments.

For the team, Ahsoka's series mirrors the experience of watching A New Hope, starting mid-journey with much history and future ahead. Dawson expressed her excitement about exploring Ahsoka's story further, understanding her character's fears, anxieties, and desire to guide from afar without fully embracing the mentor role herself.

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