‘Game of Thrones’ Star Rory McCann Starred in One of 2024’s Biggest Blockbusters Before Stepping in Ray Stevenson’s Star Wars Shoes

Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones is regarded as one of the greatest fantasy drama television series. Adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, the show stars Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Rory McCann, Lena Headey, and more. Game of Thrones’ prequel House of the Dragon also went on to achieve success post-release, but the popularity of Game of Thrones is unmatched.

Fans criticized the eighth and final season of the show for its reduced length and creative decisions. They believed that the conclusion of the show was disappointing, whereas the previous seasons had received critical acclaim for their storyline, complex characters, scope, and performances. One Game of Thrones actor is now stepping in to star in the Star Wars franchise.

Game of Thrones star Rory McCann, after Gladiator II, is set to star in Star Wars’ Ahsoka

Actor Rory McCann played Sandor ‘The Hound’ Clegane on Game of Thrones, who serves as the personal bodyguard of King Joffrey Baratheon. The Hound is regarded as one of the fiercest and strongest fighters in the Seven Kingdoms. Sandor Clegane’s face is marked with gruesome facial burns, which he had received as a child when his elder brother shoved his face into a brazier.

McCann was highly appreciated for his portrayal of the character and making him one of the memorable ones. The character’s shift from being brutal and fatal to being sympathetic and compassionate towards Sansa and Arya Stark was highly lauded by the audience. The Scottish actor also narrates the animated History and Lore for House Clegane.

The actor had recently appeared in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal. He portrayed the character of Tegula, the leader of the Praetorian Guard who was forced to switch sides. And now according to reports by THR, Rory McCann is all set to step into the Star Wars’ Ahsoka, taking over late actor Ray Stevenson’s role of Baylan Skoll.

The publication has reported that industry insider Jeff Sneider shared on The InSneider that McCann and Stevenson were friends, and the latter actor’s widow has given a green signal to McCann to take over. Fans are excited to see how The Hound will adjust to the world of Star Wars and especially fill in the shoes of Ray Stevenson.

Stevenson passed away in 2023 at the age of 58, three months before the series premiered. The actor was well-loved and admired by his fans, and ardent Star Wars fans accepted him as Skoll. However, it was reported at the time that the role of Baylan Skoll would be recast for Season 2. Skoll’s story was reportedly left open at the end of Season 1, and series creator Dave Filoni mentioned that there was still a story left that needed to be explored with Skoll.

Rory McCann talks about his ‘glorious death’ on Game of Thrones

McCann’s character, The Hound, on Game of Thrones, dies while fighting his brother, The Mountain, over the walls of the Red Keep into a flaming inferno below. In his conversation with EW, he explained that the fight between the two brothers had been a long time coming, and he felt satisfied with the end.

Upon asking what his thoughts were about the fight between the two brothers, McCann said,

He’s going to be throwing me. I’m absolutely sure I’m going to be limping for months after it, and that’s the reason my last filming days are the fight. It’s a glorious death. The Hound can see that The Mountain can’t be killed by sticking a dagger in his eye. He has to be burnt.

Rory McCann added that his character could have found peace and wandered off, but dying a glorious death is a fine way to go. He added that it seemed pretty beautiful to him. The Scottish actor is very proud of his work on the show and believes that he feels that their legacy is going to continue.

The actor revealed that he’s a sailor and has spent all of his years trying to do up boats. He also mentioned that in the last season of the show, he enjoyed the Winterfell battle, and he went on to appreciate the director, Miguel Sapochnik, stating that he is very personable, which makes filming easygoing for the actors.

Now, Rory McCann is preparing himself to step into the shoes of Ray Stevenson and become a part of yet another massive franchise.

Ahsoka is available to stream on Disney+, whereas Game of Thrones is available on HBO Max.