Star Wars Officially Unveils Major Recast Ahead of New Sequel

As fans prepare themselves for the upcoming second season of Ahsoka, which will premiere on Disney+, one character will appear very different when they reach our screens.

The sad news broke during the airing of the first season of Ahsoka, that the wonderful Ray Stephenson had passed away, leaving a legacy of work, but also a question on what would happen with his Star Wars character Baylan Skol.

It’s a sensitive topic, whenever an actor passes during the filming of a planned long-running work, and Baylan Skol is a pivotal part of the show.

It took some time before Disney revealed that Rory McCann, of Game of Thrones fame, would pick up the lightsaber left by Stephenson.

Now, as we approach the new season airing, Disney has revealed McCann in the role with an official promotional image, showing the actor holding up the orange lightsaber, glaring towards the audience.

McCann wanted to bring his own energy to the role and not mimic what Stephenson had created, and this is reflected in the slightly tweaked look of the character.

A more dishevelled robe adorns McCann, his beard much darker, with his hair obscured by a hood.

Stephenson’s bright grey hair and beard made him stand out on screen, and McCann’s version of Skol looks to be much darker, channelling the themes and personality of the character.

It’s not a complete makeover, but it does make the character look more rugged, maybe reflecting the journey Skol has been on between seasons.

Fans of the first season will remember that Skol is stranded alongside Ahsoka and Sabine Wren in a very different galaxy far, far away, while Admiral Thrawn builds an army in the prime Star Wars universe.

McCann will give his performance, joining Rosario Dawson, when the second season airs sometime in 2026.