One of the most sad things on Ahsoka had nothing to do with its history or its quality, but its reality. May 21, 2023, Actor Ray Stevenson – who portrayed the antagonist of the series, Baylan Skoll – has died. He finished all his scenes as a former Jedi knight, but he died shortly before Ahsoka Streaming on Disney + in August 2023. After crying the underestimated actor and star, fans could not help wondering who would take his place, or if Baylan Skoll would never return live.

These questions were finally answered in Star Wars Celebration 2025 Day 2 in Japan. During Ahsoka Panel, the showrunner Dave Filoni revealed that Baylan Skoll would be back in the next season in a row. More importantly, Filoni revealed who would be the actor who would intervene in place of Stevenson. In fact, it is none other than Rory McCann: The actor who is best known for portraying Sandor Clegane (alias the Hound) from the first Dark Fantasy of HBO, Game of Thrones.

Rory McCann was confirmed to be the new actor of Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka season 2

The casting of the actor was confirmed during the series of the series

Towards the end of Ahsoka panel during Star Wars Celebration 2025 Day 2, Filoni spoke of the importance of Baylan Skoll for the story of Ahsoka Tano. More importantly, He recalled to work with the late Great Stevenson and spoke how much the actor meant for him. Filoni even described Stevenson as “a beautiful person” on and out of camera. He also admitted that, in the light of the sudden death of the actor, he was not even sure to bring Baylan Skoll back to the series.

After taking personal leave, looking towards the emotional support of the series and the crew, and chatting with Stevenson’s family, Filoni decided to refound Baylan Skoll for Ahsoka Season 2. He did this because Baylan Skoll was an irreplaceable part of Ahsoka’s trip, and because He wanted to honor what Stevenson had already accomplished Star Wars. This is where the showrunner revealed that McCann would take over for Stevenson.

Dave Filoni: [Ray Stevenson] had played [Baylan Skoll] So, iconically, there is a plan for what this character should be … [Jon Favreau] And I decided that we just needed to find the right person who would not only understand the character, but also understand a little of what Ray also brought him.

It is something imperceptible; Something right in the eyes … I think we both felt very lucky that things have pointed out to that we met Rory McCann. Rory will resume the role of Baylan.

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McCann did not appear on stage with the rest of the sign, but he has already met Ahsoka Showrunners and Cast. At most, the panel revealed what can either be an art concept or McCann test shoots as Baylan Skoll. Filoni reassured that McCann took the role seriously, especially because he had immense respect for Stevenson. The showrunner promised that fans will love what McCann would bring to the character and said that Stevenson’s strength and presence were strong in McCann’s performance.

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McCann inheriting the end role of Stevenson was in fact rumor from the beginning of 2025. It is only now that rumor has been confirmed as a fact, as well as the official confirmation of Ahsoka casting and crew. Even before the casting of McCann, he was already one of the favorite choices of fans to represent Baylan Skoll. It was, as you would expect, based on McCann’s lasting popularity and lasting heritage as a dog.

Like Baylan Skoll, the dog was an imposing antagonist who had much more depth than anyone who did not achieve. Both were imposing antagonists and literal forces of nature who pushed their respective heroes in a corner. In addition, the Hound and Baylan Skoll have slowly become anti-heroes in its own right during their series. It was not difficult to see where these brutes came from ideologically, and why they could not simply be classified as “bad guys”.

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More importantly, McCann’s style of theater completed Stevenson. On the one hand, their appearances and their physique were sufficiently similar. McCann in no case carrying the dresses and the Baylan Skoll laser unarmnail. The two actors also did an excellent job to humanize their otherwise monstrous characters, so much so that they have become the favorites of the fans despite the atrocities they have committed in the past and the present. But the most interesting, McCann and Stevenson were actually longtime colleagues and good friends.

Before Star Wars Celebration 2025, It was said that McCann accepted the role of Baylan Skoll that Stevenson’s wife gave him the blessing of hers and his family. Filoni did not give details, but on the basis of what he said for Ahsoka Panel, it is prudent to assume that this is what really happened behind the scenes. Given the importance of Baylan Skoll Ahsoka And how much the cast and the crew loved Stevenson, it is normal that one of his friends ends what he started. Stevenson will always miss Stevenson. His inheritance will now live through his Star Wars Character, but above all thanks to what his friends and family will do to keep his memory alive.

Ahsoka season 1 is now in trouble on Disney +. Season 2 should start filming in the near future.

Ahsoka

Release date

August 22, 2023

Network

Disney +

Showrunner

Dave Filoni

Directors

Steph Green, Jennifer Getzinger, Peter Ramsey, Rick Famuyiwa

Writers

Dave Filoni

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  Rosario Dawson

  Ahsoka Tano

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  Natasha liu Bordizo

  Sabine Wren