Dave Filoni Explains the Impact Losing Ray Stevenson Had onAhsokaSeason 2

WhenRay Stevenson died , Ahsokaseason two almost died with it . Dave Filoni , the show ’s creator , was at Star WarsCelebration Japan this weekend and did a panelabout his Disney+ show . Along the way , the topic of Stevenson ’s passing come up and Filoni got visibly aroused . Stevenson played fallen Jedi Master Baylan Skoll , a character that clearlyhad a huge function to playin the future of the serial — however , Filoni revealed it go much deeper than that .

“ time of year two was obviously a big challenge anyway , but it was a particularly big challenge because of a losing Ray , ” Filoni say during the panel . “ He was just the keen someone and such a great spirit on the show . I knew Ray from working in voice act with him , I just always instantly connected with him and intend , ‘ When I make unrecorded - military action , I take this guy to present a sinewy Jedi Knight that have had in mind . ’ And he did not disappoint in any way . Ray was the most beautiful person on screen and off , he was tremendous to all of us . However big of a loss you think it is , it ’s bigger . ”

“ It was a challenge for me even to consider continuing [ Ahsoka ] for a while , ” he continued . “ But I have a great support group with Jon [ Favreau ] and Rosario [ Dawson ] and I found a way . I had Ray in my head and I ’m grateful for all the conversation with him about Baylan . So I understood what to do , it just take a while to get there . But I ’m very convinced now that Ray would be happy with the direction that we ’ve chosen . ”

Ray Stevenson is gone, but not forgotten.

Ray Stevenson is gone, but not forgotten.Lucasfilm

Season one ended with Baylan on a personal pursuance to find deep meaning in the Force , with Ahsoka and Sabine red-hot on his tail . But according to Filoni , the reason for Baylan existing is more than just as a bad cat .

“ The part was have in mind to be important , ” Filoni read . “ He ’s meant to be the parallel of latitude to Ahsoka in every way . If there ’s a light , there ’s a dark and Baylan is representing a unlike journeying of a Jedi that ’s lost his way . As much as [ Ahsoka ] represents one that ’s kind of walk by from the gild , so did he . And that analogue is something that must continue . ”

Knowing he want to continue the account to honor Stevenson , Filoni and executive manufacturer Jon Favreau knew there was only one alternative : recast the character . And aspreviously report , they found their humankind in Scottish actor Rory McCann . “ In essence , because Ray perform it so iconically , there is a design for what this case should be , ” Filoni allege . “ And then I talked to Jon and Jon and I settle that we just needed to find the correct person that would not just realise the character , but also sympathise a bit of what Ray bring in to it as well . It ’s something unperceivable . Something just in the eye , to be honest , and I think we both matte up very fortunate that we converge Rory McCann . So Rory will be taking over the role . ”

Rory Mccann Baylan

Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Season 2 – io9/Lucasfilm

Filoni enounce that McCann , best known for persona inGame of ThronesandHot Fuzz , is coming in with one independent finish : make the legacy of Ray Stevenson live on . “ [ Rory ] take it very seriously . He ’s a braggy man with a big warmheartedness , and he has such regard for Ray and what he brought to this . I sleep with this solitary focal point is not let Ray down and not let you bozo down . You ’ll sleep with them , and we love him and I eff what he ’s read on . It ’s a big deal , so the effect is with him . ”

Ahsokaseason two starts tear by the end of April . No Logos on a sacking date , but we have to conceive of sometime in late 2026 .

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