When Lucasfilm's Star Wars series Ahsoka premiered back in 2023, one of the standout characters was an enigmatic Sith lord named Baylan Skoll, played by seasoned actor Ray Stevenson. Stevenson has appeared in tons of shows and movies over the years, including Black Sails and Dexter; he excelled at playing villains who had such a deeply likable streak that you came to love them just as much as the heroes. Sadly, Baylan Skoll was one of Stevenson's final roles, as he died shortly before Ahsoka premiered.
That's left the fate of the character in question. Would Lucasfilm recast? Would they leave him wandering the wilds of Peridea, where he clearly had some mysterious goal he was chasing?
Now, it looks like the former won out. According to Hollywood scoop finder Jeff Sneider (via TV Line), Disney and Lucasfilm have recast Baylan Skoll with none other than Rory McCann, best known around these parts from his time as Sandor "The Hound" Clegane on Game of Thrones.
Rory McCann to play Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka season 2
I need to give the obligatory warning here that this news has not been officially confirmed by Disney, so for now it should be taken with a grain of salt. But Sneider has a good track record, so I'm inclined to believe this is probably true.
From where I'm sitting, this is good news. When last we saw Baylan Skoll, he was standing on an enormous statue on Peridea. We don't know what he's after, but it feels like it's different from what either ex-Jedi Ahsoka Tano or Grand Admiral Thrawn want. It seemed pretty clear that the show had more planned for the character, and I'm glad they'll be going through with it.
As for the recast itself, it goes without saying that McCann is an excellent actor, so I think this is a great fit. He does have enormous shoes to fill — Ray Stevenson was one of those singular talents that elevated any production he set foot on — but I have faith that McCann is up to the task. He'll have to bring not only the menace he's so great at tapping into, but also quiet kindness, which Stevenson exuded as Skoll even as he was doing evil stuff.
As for when we'll see McCann on screen as Baylan Skoll, I'd guess sometime in 2026. Ahsoka season 2 is slated to start filming this spring. That will take a while, and then there will be post-production. So next year is the earliest we can hope to see the Hound wield a red lightsaber.
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