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

Star Wars Celebration has given us our first glimpse of Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2 of Ahsoka, following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson. McCann, known for his role as The Hound in Game of Thrones, takes on the mantle of Baylan, a character that Stevenson brought to life with immense depth and charisma.

At the Ahsoka panel during Star Wars Celebration, fans were treated to a first-look image of McCann as Baylan, which you can view below.

Ray Stevenson, renowned 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 Skoll was widely regarded as a standout element of the series, leaving a significant impact on viewers and the creative team alike.

Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni expressed the profound challenge of continuing the series without Stevenson, describing him as "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Despite this loss, Filoni and the team are moving forward with Season 2, promising the return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, alongside beloved characters like Admiral Ackbar, Zeb, Chopper, and others.

In our review of Ahsoka's inaugural season, we noted that the series initially faced challenges in establishing its characters and concepts, particularly those familiar from Dave Filoni's animated Star Wars series. However, as the narrative unfolded, Ahsoka successfully blended rich lore, humor, and epic battles, capturing the essence of classic Star Wars while also paving the way for new storytelling.

For more 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.