Renowned Scottish actor Rory McCann, whose portrayal of the formidable brute, The Hound, in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones has etched him into the hearts of fans, has been confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter to step into the shoes of the late, lamented Ray Stevenson for the sophomore season of the Star Wars spin-off, Ahsoka.
Stevenson, whose powerful presence and resonant voice endeared him to audiences, had brought to life the colossal former Jedi, Baylan Skoll, in the Disney+ series. Tragically, he passed away in May 2023, just three months shy of the series' debut, following a brief illness. His memorable roles in Punisher: War Zone, the Thor films, and the TV series Rome had already cemented his status as a fan favorite.
Ahsoka, led by the talented Rosario Dawson, follows the journey of another former Jedi, the titular Ahsoka Tano, who embarks on a mission with a former apprentice to thwart the nefarious Empire's bid for reformation. Their path is fraught with challenges, notably Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati, portrayed with acumen by Ivanna Sakhno.
As of now, the precise commencement date for filming the new season and the directorial lineup remain shrouded in mystery. However, Dave Filoni, who helmed the inaugural season with expertise, is reprising his role as showrunner.
McCann, who recently made a splash on the silver screen in Gladiator II, boasts an impressive resume that encompasses Edgar Wright's comedy-thriller Hot Fuzz, the adrenaline-pumping xXx: Return of Xander Cage, the exhilarating Jumanji: The Next Level, the intriguing Knuckles series on Paramount+, and the animated series Transformers: EarthSpark. He is represented by Emptage Hallett and Monster Voice.
