A new report suggests that the late Ray Stevenson’s Star Wars role will be recast with Game of Thrones star Rory McCann. In Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka, Stevenson played Baylan Skoll, a Dark Jedi mercenary who aided in the return of the Grand Admiral Thrawn back to the known galaxy before leaving his apprentice Shin Hati in search of a mysterious power. Now, it looks as though the character’s story will continue with a new actor for Ahsoka season 2 after Stevenson sadly passed away in 2023.
First reported by insider Jeff Sneider, the late Ray Stevenson’s role as Baylan Skoll will be recast by his friend and Scottish actor Rory McCann who’s best known for his role as Sandor Clegane aka The Hound in Game of Thrones. According to Sneider’s blog The Insneider, “McCann will inherit the role of Baylan Skoll with the blessing of Stevenson’s widow.” To that end, it seems as though Baylan Skoll’s journey will indeed continue on the extragalactic world of Peridea, having been called by an unknown power he believed would help him change the galaxy he sees as broken.
Recasting Baylan Skoll Is The Best Way To Honor Ray Stevenson
A Friend Taking Over A Key Star Wars Legacy
It’s always tragic when someone dies unexpectedly, as was the case with actor Ray Stevenson in 2023, mere months before the release of Ahsoka’s first season and his Star Wars debut. Additionally, it’s very rare to see recasts happen in Star Wars, and primarily only in animation with voice actors. That said, Baylan Skoll’s story at the end of Ahsoka was left crucially unfinished, having last been shown next to massive statues of the Mortis gods and being led to the source of whatever had been calling to him.
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Assuming this report is accurate, it looks as though Star Wars has elected to try to honor Stevenson in a very heartwarming and smart way by choosing a friend to carry on his legacy with the role. It’s also nice to see that Lucasfilm allegedly reached out to Stevenson’s widow who gave her approval for McCann to carry on with the role in Ahsoka season 2. To that end, it seems that Lucasfilm has found a way to smartly handle and honor what is undoubtedly a heartbreaking situation with Stevenson’s passing.
Our Take On Ahsoka Season 2’s Potential Recast
An Exciting Addition To The Star Wars Cast
With Rory McCann being best known for playing The Hound, I can’t help but appreciate the meta connection, seeing how Baylan’s last name is Skoll, inspired by the mythological Asgardian wolf alongside its twin Hati, the last name of his apprentice in Ahsoka. Likewise, McCann should be able to play and look the part quite well, and it will be very exciting to see him honor the legacy of his friend in Ahsoka season 2. The new season is set to begin filming in April of this year with a release date presumably in late 2025 or early 2026.
Source: Jeff Sneider/The Insneider