In the thrilling first season of Ahsoka, the talented Ray Stevenson portrayed the intriguing character Baylan Skoll. Tragically, Stevenson passed away just months before the series premiered, leaving fans heartbroken. The eagerly awaited second season promises to delve deeper into the captivating narrative of Baylan Skoll, with Rory McCann, known for his role in Game of Thrones, stepping into this pivotal role. During an interview with ComicBook.com, McCann expressed his feelings about taking over the character, emphasizing the importance of continuing the storyline rather than abruptly ending it.
“I believe it’s essential to carry on his storyline and not just cut it off,” McCann shared. “This has been done in other productions, and I sincerely hope the fans support this decision. Right now, I am starting my journey in this role, and I’m immersing myself in the right mindset to portray it authentically. It’s incredibly thrilling. I fondly remember attending the original films with my father back in the late ’70s and ’80s. Now, I find myself training with a lightsaber at night, which is simply exhilarating.”
McCann brings a wealth of sword-fighting experience from his time on Game of Thrones, but he humorously pointed out that those swords lack the “same iconic sound” that makes lightsabers so unique and thrilling. This distinction highlights the magical allure of the Star Wars universe and the distinctive qualities that lightsabers bring to the storytelling experience.
Earlier this year at Star Wars Celebration, Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni shared that the decision to continue the series after Stevenson’s passing took significant consideration. He expressed his belief that Stevenson would be pleased to see that the character’s journey is far from over. “I found a way to honor Ray’s vision — his essence was always in my mind. I cherish all the conversations we had about Baylan,” Filoni remarked. “I understood the path forward; it just took some time to arrive at that clarity. I’m now very confident that Ray would be pleased with the direction we’ve chosen. The character is designed to parallel Ahsoka in every conceivable way. Where there is light, there must be dark, and Baylan represents a different journey for a Jedi, much like Ahsoka, who chose to step away from the Jedi order. This parallel is a narrative thread that must continue.”
Exciting news has also been confirmed that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, and Filoni hinted that Admiral Ackbar will make an appearance in the new season, where he will go “head-to-head with Thrawn.” Filoni humorously mentioned that it “took all my effort” to refrain from including the iconic line “It’s a trap!” in the script. “I realized that I couldn’t do that; it would feel so clichéd,” he stated. “This character can’t keep falling into traps; one would think he’d be wiser this time around.”
Production for the highly anticipated second season of Ahsoka commenced last month, building excitement among fans eager to see the next chapter unfold.
