Star Wars Celebration has unveiled our initial glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2 of Ahsoka, following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed the character. McCann, known for his role in Game of Thrones, now takes on the mantle of Baylan, a role that Stevenson had brought to life with remarkable depth and nuance.

While we await McCann's performance, the Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration shared a first-look image, which you can view below.

Ray Stevenson, who passed away from a brief illness just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, was celebrated for his roles in Thor, RRR, Punisher: War Zone, Rome, and many others. His portrayal of Baylan Skoll was hailed as a standout in the series, leaving a lasting impact on fans and critics alike.

Series creator Dave Filoni expressed the profound challenge of moving forward without Stevenson, emphasizing his invaluable contribution both on and off the screen. Filoni described Stevenson as "the most beautiful person on screen and off," underscoring the significant loss felt by the entire production team.

Looking ahead to Season 2, Filoni and the team teased exciting developments, including the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. They also confirmed the appearance of beloved characters such as Admiral Ackbar, Zeb, Chopper, and others, promising a season rich with familiar faces and new adventures.

In our review of Ahsoka's first season, we noted that the series initially struggled to bring viewers up to speed with the characters and concepts from Dave Filoni's animated Star Wars shows. However, as the series progressed, it struck a compelling balance of rich lore, humor, and epic battles, embodying the essence of classic Star Wars while charting a fresh course.

For further insights, explore where Ahsoka stands in our ranking of the best Star Wars Disney+ live-action TV shows and delve into our detailed analysis of the Season 1 finale.