Ahsoka Season 2 Hints Recasting Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll After Tragic Demise

Star Wars: Ahsoka or Ahsoka is a spin-off series of The Mandalorian, created by Dave Filoni for Disney+. The series, which follows Ahsoka Tano, is taking place in the same timeframe as that series and its other interconnected spin-offs after the events of 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Ahsoka also serves as a continuation series of Star Wars Rebels, which premiered from 2014 to 2018. The story follows Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson, investigating an emerging threat to the galaxy following the fall of the Empire. Recent updates from the series have hinted recasting of a character on the show.

Also read: Ahsoka Breaks Major Star Wars Tradition That George Lucas Never Wanted Fans to See for a Strange Reason

Ahsoka season 2 hints late actor Ray Stevenson’s Baylan Skoll to have a major storyline

According to reports from CBR, Ahsoka’s official X account recently posted concept art pictures on their social media depicting Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren standing on the outstretched hand of a statue of the Father. The concept art image said,

“The story continues. Ahsoka Season 2 now in development with Dave Filoni.”

Fans were quick to point out that the characters played by Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo are standing at the Mortis gods’ sculpture; which was where Baylan Skoll was last seen standing in the season one finale teasing that his character’s story would be explored in the upcoming season.

The concept art image hints that Ahsoka and Sabine will follow the former Jedi’s trail and find out more about his journey, which had become one of the most talked about subjects in season one.

As shown in season one, Baylan Skoll played by late actor Ray Stevenson is on a quest to find something better for himself and his understudy hinted that the character will likely return for season 2 for a bigger part on the show. The season 2 tease meant that the character would most likely be played by a different actor and fans believe that whoever plays the character has giant shoes to fill because Ray Stevenson portrayed the character of Baylan Skoll in the near to perfect way.

Some Reddit users suggested that actor Liev Schreiber seems like a perfect candidate to take over Ray Stevenson’s Baylan Skoll as the two of them have a striking resemblance. Apart from the resemblance, Schreiber is also a skilled actor and director known for playing Wolverine‘s nemesis Sabretooth, proving his skills. However, no official announcement regarded Baylan Skoll’s re-casting has been made.

Also read: Rosario Dawson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead Were Relieved as They Did Not Have to Go Through Torturous Behind the Scene Process For Their Ahsoka Transformation

Dave Filoni talks about how Ray Stevenson got a taste of Star Wars fandom

After the tragic and unfortunate demise of actor Ray Stevenson who portrayed Baylan Skoll in the series and was highly appreciated for his performance; creator Dave Filoni was asked about his take on the character’s future in the franchise.

“Obviously, there’s a story there. We’re in a wait-and-see pattern at this point. But I’m glad the conversation is about Ray and how great he was. I used to have mini-debates with him and say, ‘Ray, you’re the villain here’, and he’d be like, ‘I don’t think so’. I was like, ‘I know you don’t think so, but you are. I love that you’re playing it like you’re not’. Which is exactly the way Baylan thinks.”

Also read: The Mandalorian Season 4 Reportedly a Star Wars Movie

The actor passed away before the series debuted, but his character portrayal of Baylan Skoll was highly praised by the critics as well as the audience. The creator of the show, however, mentioned that the late actor might have been excited and thrilled to see his performance along with the show getting praises. Dave Filoni noted,

“I think he would’ve been over the moon. The big regret here is that he didn’t get to experience that. I’m glad he was at Star Wars Celebrations with us, that he got to see the trailer and get a taste of that from the fans. And they’ve been nothing but wonderful about Ray and the character.”

The creator had mentioned that Baylan Skoll is a person who has survived the Clone Wars and was trained in the waxing-waning days of the Jedi Knights, adding that his order and his way of life had fallen apart. Filoni said Skoll believes that if he has the power, he should wield it and is certain that what he is doing now is the right thing.

Ahsoka season one is streaming on Disney+.