Ahsoka and Andor Collide, Star Wars Almost Changed Forever

According to one of Andor’s stars, a lead actor in Ahsoka was originally set to take on his role (and had even filmed several scenes) before a chance run-in with a slippery patch of ice disqualified him from continuing.

In 2023, Ray Stevenson, who played former Jedi Baylan Skoll in the first season of the Disney+ series Ahsoka, passed away mere months before the Star Wars series aired.

Now, obviously, his passing is tragic for far more important reasons, but he was arguably the best part of Ahsoka. Once the series finally released in August 2023, fans were immediately concerned that nobody could feasibly replace him.

Not long after, it was announced that Rory McCann, perhaps best known for his role as The Hound in HBO's Game of Thrones, would be taking on the role of Baylan Skoll for Ahsoka’s second season.

Not only is McCann physically suited for the role, as he bears a striking resemblance to Stevenson, but the choice seemed somewhat fated considering reports that the two actors were friends.

Official image of Rory McCann as The Hound in HBO's Game of Thrones, Warner Bros

Turns out that McCann may not have been eligible to take on the role if not for an accident that took place during the filming of Andor’s first season, as he had already been cast as Brasso before injuring his knee partway through the production.

As detailed in an article by Dexerto's Eammon Parks Jacobs, Joplin Sibtain, who replaced McCann as Brasso following his accident, revealed this info during an interview with the Star Wars Sessions podcast.

“The first day of filming, the guy playing Brasso played The Hound in Game of Thrones. They shot some of his scenes”, Sibtain explained.

“He’s 6 foot 6, and I’m 6 foot 3. But he did his knee in. He was on his way to work, it was very icy at that time, he slipped up and did his knee in. He just had a limp and he went to work. They did a scan on it and the consultant said ‘If you don’t have this operated on, you’re gonna not be able to walk.’”

Y’know, after taking a look at Rory McCann’s Wikipedia page, I am absolutely not surprised that he managed to injure himself like this, because apparently he broke multiple bones following a 70-foot fall climbing accident in Yorkshire.

Still, it’s weirdly nice that things worked out the way they did. It goes without saying that it would be better if Ray Stevenson were still with us, but I’m glad that the stars aligned so that his friend could take over his role.