In a surprising turn at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, Lucasfilm revealed that Rory McCann, known to many as "The Hound" from HBO's Game of Thrones, will be joining the Star Wars universe. McCann is set to step into the role of Baylan Skoll for the highly anticipated second season of Ahsoka, taking over from the late Ray Stevenson.
The announcement came directly from Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni during the show's panel at Celebration. Filoni addressed the difficult decision to recast the role following Stevenson's passing, emphasizing the importance of the character to the ongoing narrative. He stated, "It was particularly challenging because of losing Ray... It was a challenge for me to even think about continuing the character, but I had a great team around me. I’m confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction we’re going in."
Filoni further explained the careful consideration that went into selecting McCann, noting the need for someone who understood the gravitas Stevenson brought to Baylan Skoll. "[W]e thought we needed someone to play the part that understood what Ray did," Filoni shared, before officially announcing McCann as the new Baylan. Two images of McCann in costume were displayed, met with enthusiastic approval from the audience. "You’ll love him. We love him. The Force is with him," Filoni affirmed about McCann.
The panel, which also featured executive producer Jon Favreau and star Rosario Dawson, offered insights into the upcoming season. Dawson confirmed that filming for Ahsoka Season 2 is set to commence next week. Hayden Christensen, reprising his iconic role as Anakin Skywalker, also made a surprise appearance, further igniting fan excitement for the new season. Christensen reflected on the opportunity to explore Anakin's character in live-action during the Clone Wars era, a period hinted at but never fully realized on screen until now.
Beyond the casting news, the Ahsoka panel provided glimpses into the creative direction of Season 2. Filoni hinted at the deeper exploration of Baylan Skoll's character arc, positioning him as a "parallel to Ahsoka, as someone who walked away from the Order in a different way." This suggests a complex and nuanced portrayal of the fallen Jedi, a role McCann is well-suited to embody given his history of portraying morally ambiguous characters.
Celebration Japan also delivered a wealth of other Star Wars announcements. Director Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling unveiled the title of the next Star Wars theatrical film, Star Wars: Starfighter. Lucasfilm Animation announced Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, with Sam Witwer returning to voice the iconic Sith Lord. A first look at The Mandalorian and Grogu film, slated for a 2026 theatrical release, was also shared, promising a new chapter for the beloved duo.
Dawson praised McCann’s dedication, mentioning they had been training together for months in preparation for filming. She also playfully noted Filoni's continuous rewrites of the scripts, keeping the cast on their toes. Favreau underscored the collaborative nature of Star Wars storytelling, emphasizing its core themes of "family, about evil, about relationships."
As fans eagerly await Ahsoka Season 2, the addition of Rory McCann to the cast brings a blend of seasoned talent and fresh energy to the Star Wars galaxy. His portrayal of Baylan Skoll is poised to be a compelling tribute to Ray Stevenson's initial performance, while carving its own unique mark on the character's journey. The Force, it seems, is indeed with Rory McCann as he embarks on this new adventure.