The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 was packed with exciting updates and teases for Season 2, including a first look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll, confirmation of Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker, and much more. To ensure you stay up-to-date, we've compiled all the key highlights in one place.

While we haven't seen any footage from Season 2 of Ahsoka or received a release date, the panel provided some insights into what fans can anticipate in the upcoming episodes. Let's dive into the details.

First Look at Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Revealed at Star Wars Celebration

The Ahsoka panel at Star Wars Celebration unveiled the first look at Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll for Season 2. For those unfamiliar, McCann is taking over the role following the tragic passing of Ray Stevenson, who originally portrayed Baylan.

Stevenson passed away just three months before Ahsoka's premiere, and his performance as Baylan was a highlight for many fans. Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni discussed the challenge of moving forward after Stevenson's death, emphasizing that Stevenson was "the most beautiful person on screen and off." Filoni expressed confidence that Stevenson would approve of the direction they've taken with the character.

Filoni sees Baylan as Ahsoka's counterpart in every way and is grateful for the "blueprint" Stevenson provided for the character. He also shared his appreciation for McCann, noting that his primary focus was to honor Stevenson's legacy.

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

After playing a significant 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 panel to discuss his return.

"It was a dream to get to do," Christensen said, praising the creative approach to exploring the World Between Worlds. "I thought it was all really exciting."

For Ahsoka series creator Dave Filoni, working with Christensen again was a priority, humorously stating he had to "invent entire dimensions to make it happen." Christensen expressed his joy in portraying a version of Anakin from the Clone Wars era, which he hadn't fully 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," he said, appreciating the new look for Anakin beyond the traditional Jedi robes.

Ahsoka Will See the Return of Many More Familiar Faces

Although the panel didn't feature a traditional trailer, it offered a glimpse into Season 2 and confirmed the return of beloved characters such as Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper. The trailer, composed of still images, also teased the involvement of Admiral Ackbar in a significant storyline against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fans can also look forward to seeing adorable Loth-Kittens and, according to Filoni, "X-Wings, A-Wings, and Wings I can't tell you about."

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

In addition to the Season 2 announcements, the panel provided deeper insights into the making of Ahsoka, its inspirations, and more. 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.

Joined by Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson, Filoni discussed the origins of the Ahsoka series, which began after Season 1 of The Mandalorian. Filoni and Favreau, both passionate about Ahsoka Tano, whom Filoni co-created with George Lucas, decided to bring her to live-action. This led to her appearance in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, with Rosario Dawson cast as Ahsoka following Ashley Eckstein's acclaimed portrayal in animation.

Dawson shared her excitement upon learning she would play Ahsoka, mentioning the fan-driven campaign that supported her casting. Initially, her appearance was intended as a one-off, but the overwhelming fan response paved the way for a full series.

"When we started to move into the Ahsoka episodes with revisited characters like Bo-Katan, everything shifted toward a continuation of what Dave and George had done with animation while culminating storylines that had already been established," Favreau explained.

For the team, Ahsoka's narrative is akin to watching A New Hope, starting in the middle of her journey with much history and future to explore. Dawson expressed her enthusiasm for delving deeper into Ahsoka's character, understanding her fears, anxieties, and her reluctance to take on a mentor role.

Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show

View 22 Images

"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 continues beyond that initial episode, the team faced challenges in bringing her story to life daily. However, their efforts have proven worthwhile, culminating in a series that honors the character's rich history while pushing her narrative forward.