Ahsoka Season 2 Replaces Its Main Villain Actor, Rosario Dawson Speaks Out

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Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka Tano, recently explained why Dave Filoni chose to replace Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll. Following Stevenson’s unexpected passing, Lucasfilm decided to continue the character’s storyline with Rory McCann – known for his role as the Hound in Game of Thrones – in Season 2 of Ahsoka. Stevenson’s death occurred shortly before the first season launched, leaving the future of Baylan Skoll uncertain.

At Comic-Con Scotland 2025, Rosario Dawson discussed the next season of Ahsoka. She spoke fondly of the late Ray Stevenson and his lasting influence on the show. Dawson also praised Rory McCann’s performance as Baylan, putting him in the same category as Stevenson in terms of impact and skill.

During the Ahsoka panel, as reported by Monopoly Events on YouTube, Mary Elizabeth Winstead praised co-star Hayden Christensen. She highlighted his kindness and spiritual depth, noting he was both incredibly masculine and deeply in touch with his feminine side.

Wow, watching Ray was just… captivating. He embodied this powerful, classic masculinity – strong, protective, and completely present – but it was so beautifully balanced by a deep connection to his softer side. It was fascinating to see someone so physically imposing also be so gentle, spiritual, and loving. Honestly, ‘poetry in motion’ is the perfect way to describe him. He was a complex and incredibly moving character.

The lead actress discussed Stevenson’s take on the character Baylan and explained how it significantly influenced the direction of Baylan’s storyline, as envisioned by Dave Filoni.

The character of Baylan really came to life thanks to the actor’s interpretation. He’s the one who suggested the crystals, which added a whole new dimension to the character’s energy. The creator, Dave, has talked about their in-depth discussions and how those conversations heavily influenced the direction of Baylan’s storyline.

Dawson reports that Filoni struggled with the decision of whether to replace the actor playing Baylan Skoll. It appears Filoni didn’t want to abandon the storyline he’d begun developing with Ray, which is why McCann ultimately took on the role.

I understood why he didn’t want the project to stop. Their conversations were so productive, and he had a clear vision for the character, which expanded even further when he considered collaborating with Ray. He wanted to keep the story going and continue building on what they’d already created together.

Ahsoka’s lead actress shared that she initially felt anxious when she learned someone else would be taking on the role of Baylan in the show’s second season. However, she was very relieved and happy to discover that actor Ray Stevenson would be playing the part.

I recall it being a really difficult decision for him to consider replacing the actor. I completely understood why. I even felt a tightness in my chest, knowing how big of a challenge it would be to live up to the original performance, both literally and figuratively. But as soon as he announced Rory McCann would be taking the role, I felt a huge sense of relief.

Similar to her praise for Stevenson, Dawson shared enthusiastic comments about McCann, expressing her strong affection for him.

I worked with Rory on the movie ‘Alexander’ about twenty years ago, and I really admire him. He has a similar energy to the character he’s known for playing, The Hound. He can appear large and intimidating, but he’s actually a very gentle, kind, and understanding person.

Dawson excited fans about Liam McCann’s performance as Baylan, noting that McCann carries himself very much like the late Ray Stevenson did. Because the two actors were already friends, Dawson believes they would have become incredibly close if Stevenson were still with us.

I was really touched to hear that Dave Filoni said McCann built such a strong connection with Ivanna Sakhno, the actress who plays Shin Hati. It made me feel good knowing that’s why he felt so comfortable having McCann step into the role of Baylan Skoll – it sounds like they really trusted each other, and that’s awesome!

It’s impossible to simply find someone who can copy Ray’s style and personality – it just doesn’t feel authentic. You really need the genuine article. It’s crazy to think Rory’s brother actually lives in the same place Ray did. They would have been great friends, honestly. It’s amazing how well he connected with Ivanna, and I’m truly thankful for that relationship.

It was incredibly moving to hear the lead actress of Ahsoka speak about Paul Stevenson. She shared that he ‘really blessed’ the entire show, including Season 2. Dawson explained that she could definitely feel his presence on set with them.

Ray brought something special to the project, truly understanding how important it was for his sons to see him play a Jedi. He portrayed that beautifully, and I’m so grateful he’s still with us – you can really feel his positive energy. I’m certain he brought good luck to everyone on set.

Ahsoka Season 2 is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026.

What Will Baylan Skoll’s Season 2 Storyline Be About?

Dave Filoni and his team are being very secretive about what happens in Ahsoka Season 2. Although filming is complete, a trailer hasn’t been released yet, leaving fans in the dark about the story’s direction.

Many viewers recall that Baylan left on a solo journey at the end of Season 1, guided by a mysterious pull in the Force. He hinted it was something incredibly powerful, but didn’t offer many details. The season’s final scene showed Baylan standing on a statue of the Father, a powerful being from Mortis, which suggests where his search might be leading.

A statue of the father and son stood beside a headless statue of the daughter. This strongly suggested the Mortis gods would play a role in Season 2, and subsequent hints have only strengthened that idea.

One popular idea is that Baylan was influenced by Abeloth, a very powerful and sinister figure from the older ‘Legends’ stories of Star Wars. Because Abeloth is connected to the Mortis gods within those stories, her appearance wouldn’t be surprising. Fans have long hoped to see her brought into the official Star Wars timeline, and the Ahsoka series seems like the perfect place for her to appear.

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2025-12-11 09:07