The characters of Star Wars: Rebels are set to return to the small screen after five years in the Ahsoka live-action show. The show will premiere on August 23, 2023, and fans cannot be more excited. The series is set years after the events of the 1983 film, Return of the Jedi. It follows the Clone Wars veteran and former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to the galaxy. Tano won’t be embarking on the journey alone, as she will be joined by much of the crew from Star Wars Rebels. With only a few days left until the series’ release, let’s look at the talented actors behind the Ahsoka series, their characters, and their careers in the film and TV industries.
Rosario DawsonÂ
The Ahsoka live-action show would not be complete without Rosario Dawson. The key actor behind Ahsoka, Dawson plays the titular character Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka is a former apprentice to the legendary Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and a veteran Jedi Warrior. The character first appeared in The Clone Wars series and then in Star Wars Rebels, with Ashley Eckstein starring as the animated Ahsoka’s main voice. Dawson took over from Eckstein when it came to the live-action version of the character, appearing in an episode of The Mandalorian in 2022. Two years later, the actress reprised her role as Ahsoka in an episode of The Book of Boba Fett.Â
Born to a Puerto Rican father and an African American mother, Dawson has featured in many other productions. Since beginning her acting career in the early 1990s, she has appeared in high-profile films, including Pussycats, Sin City, Men in Black II, and Unstoppable. Now, the actor, who was a fan of The Clone Wars, is thrilled about adding Ahsoka to her resume.
Mary Elizabeth WinsteadÂ
Fans of the Star Wars franchise will see Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the green-skinned Twi’lek pilot Hera Syndulla, originally voiced by Vanessa Marshall. The character was last seen in Star Wars Rebels as both a captain of her crew and a nurturing parent figure who supported Sabine and Ezra till full maturity. But in the Ahsoka live-action show, Winstead’s character has become a legend in her own right — a general in the New Republic. While Hera Syndulla appears to be Winstead’s most well-known role, the actress has been in the entertainment industry for years.Â
She began her acting career as a child in her native Utah before making the climb into studio feature films. Her first significant role was playing Jessica Bennett in the NBC soap opera Passions. The actress went on to appear in series like True Calling and films Sky High and Final Destination 3. Away from the big screen, Winstead is a wife to Ewan McGregor and a mother to two daughters.
Natasha Liu BordizzoÂ
Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s career is set to take a leap, as she will be taking over from Tiya Sircar as the actor behind one of Ahsoka‘s major characters, Sabine Wren — a Mandalorian warrior, graffiti artist, and former bounty hunter. Fans should expect the best from Bordizzo as the starlet has proven to be talented time and again. She was born in 1994 and began her career as a model before venturing into acting. Bordizzo landed her first role while studying at the University of Technology, Sydney. The actress was cast in a leading role in Netflix’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.
Bordizzo would go on to star in other hit productions, including The Greatest Showman, The Society, The Voyeurs, and Day Shift. Seven years after she made her debut, Bordozzo is set to enter the next phase of her career. Over the last couple of months, she has dedicated herself to learning all about Sabine’s Journey in Star Wars Rebels, and hopefully, it will be evident when the series is released.
Lars MikkelsenÂ
Lars Mikkelsen will be reprising his role as Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Ahsoka live-action show. He first voiced the character in Rebels and was praised for his performance. In the upcoming series, Mikkelsen’s character is expected to be a major antagonist who will be facing off against Ahsoka. It promises to be epic, as Mikkelsen has described his character as a ruthless and creative top strategist.
Away from his role as Grand Admiral Thrawn, there is a lot to know about Mikkelson. He is a Danish actor who gained international recognition when he appeared in the first season of The Killing in 2007. Since then, Mikkelsen has expanded his acting credits by starring in Sherlock, The Witcher, Headhunter, House of Cards, and many other projects.
Eman EsfandiÂ
Eman Esfandi isn’t one of the more popular names in the movie industry, but he is an important actor behind the Ahsoka series. He plays Ezra Bridger, a street-smart orphan. Bridger survived as a thief and con artist before becoming a Jedi apprentice and joining the crew of the Ghost. Esfandi’s role as Bridger will be one of his first major roles as an actor. He made his debut in the movie industry in 2021 with a minor role in King Richard. The following year, Esfandi starred in The Inspection. Besides his acting career, Esfandi is also a singer. He released his first rap EP during the pandemic, and in May 2023, he dropped two more EPs, La Sagrada Familia and La Vie En Vert.Â
Hayden ChristensenÂ
Hayden Christensen has been confirmed to be returning as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Ahsoka live-action show. Given that the events in the upcoming series happened after Vader’s death in Return of the Jedi, the exact nature of Christensen’s role is still unknown. However, the character may appear as a Force ghost or in flashback sequences. Besides Return of the Jedi and this upcoming show, Christensen has played Anakin Skywalker in Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, and The Rise of Skywalker. The actor also has acting credits in the 2001 drama Life as a House, which earned him Golden Globe and SAG nominations. Christensen would then go on to appear in 2003’s Shattered Glass, 2007’s Awake, and 2008’s Jumper.
Ray StevensonÂ
The late Ray Stevenson will play the character Baylan Skoll in the upcoming Ahsoka live-action show. Skoll is a fallen Jedi who survived Order 66 by fleeing into the Unknown Region. Now, he is master to his apprentice Shin Hati and an ally to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Before filming the live-action role, Stevenson made his way into the franchise through past voice appearances. The Irish actor voiced Commander Gar Saxon in various episodes of The Clone Wars and Rebels. Besides the Star Wars franchise, Stevenson appeared in Punisher: War Zone, Titus Pullo, Thor, The Three Musketeers, and many other productions. Sadly, after decades of hard work in the movie industry, the Hollywood star passed away on May 21, 2023.Â
David TennantÂ
Another actor behind the Ahsoka live-action show is David Tennant. He will be reprising his role as Huyang. The character is a lightsaber-crafting droid used by the Jedi for thousands of years. Prior to filming the live-action series, Tennant voiced the character in two episodes of The Clone Wars in 2012. The role earned him a Daytime Emmy the following year for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program. In addition to his Star Wars appearances, Tennant has starred in Doctor Who, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hamlet, Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, and Good Omens.
Ivanna SakhnoÂ
Ivanna Sakhno will play Shin Hati, Baylan Skoll’s apprentice. Hati is a new character in the franchise who wields the Dark Side of the Force. The character also has a huge allegiance to the Night Sisters, who are the Witches of Dathomir and are heavily featured in The Clone Wars. Voicing Shin Hati is undoubtedly Sakhno’s most prominent role yet. However, the actress has featured in other hit productions since moving to the US from Ukraine to pursue acting. She has appeared in Pacific Rim: Uprising, The Reunion, The Spy Who Dumped Me, and the series High Fidelity.
Genevieve O’ReillyÂ
Born and raised in Adelaide, Australia, Genevieve O’Reilly is known for her role as Mon Mothma in the Star Wars franchise. She was first cast in the role in Revenge of the Sith, after which she reprised it in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars Rebels, and more. O’Reilly is set to voice the character again in the upcoming Ahsoka live-action show. Mothma is a politician and the leader of the Rebel Alliance. She is a wise and experienced leader dedicated to fighting for freedom and justice. Besides her Mon Mothma character, O’Reilly has also featured in Forget Me Not, Survivor, The Dry, and Diana: Last Days of a Princess.
Diana Lee Inosanto
Diana Lee Inosanto will voice the sinister magistrate Morgan Elsbeth. The character first appeared opposite Ahsoka Tano as a follower of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the second season of The Mandalorian. Aside from acting, Inosanto is also a stuntwoman, a martial artist, and a director. In 2008, she released a movie titled The Sensei. She has done stunts for movies like Spy and Alita: Battle Angel.Â
Wes ChathamÂ
Wes Chatham is new to the Star Wars franchise and will reportedly play Captain Enoch, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s right-hand man. He has also appeared in the science fiction series The Expanse, as well as films such as In the Valley of Elah, Tenet, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I and Part II. Being one of the actors behind the Ahsoka live-action show will be a big boost for Chatham’s career.
