Ahsoka’s Baylan Skoll Recast with Rory McCann
The Hollywood Reporter revealed yesterday that Baylan Skoll has been recast in Ahsoka. In season 1, Ray Stevenson portrayed the former Jedi working for Grand Admiral Thrawn. Despite serving the erstwhile Imperial Officer, Skoll had his own mysterious motives and became the only universally acclaimed aspect of the Ahsoka series. His entrance with his Padawan, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno), is one of the most exciting scenes in the series. Tragically, Stevenson died three months before Ahsoka premiered due to a heart condition. When a second season was announced, the main question was, who could carry the show’s most interesting character forward? Rory McCann is best known to fans of Game of Thrones as The Hound, Sandor Clegane, but has also had roles in Gladiator II, The Legend of Vox Machina, and Jumanji: The Next Level, among other films and TV projects.
I hadn’t considered McCann for the role of Baylan, mostly because I do mainly associate him with Game of Thrones. But this is a case where recasting was truly necessary, and I think he can get the job done. Stevenson was a great actor and quickly stole the show in Ahsoka with relatively little screen time. I honestly hadn’t thought of anyone who could take over because of how Stevenson sank right into the character. Rosario Dawson has rarely impressed me as Ahsoka; she’s a fine actress, but not suited to this role. I think part of that is in the direction, too. Live-action Ahsoka is just too reserved and quiet. She obviously doesn’t jibe with teenage Ahsoka in The Clone Wars. Still, even as an adult in Rebels, she was lively and hopeful, if a bit more mature and wise.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead sucks as Hera and was a nepotism hire. Meanwhile, Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Eman Esfandi are great fits for Sabine and Ezra but are rarely afforded the opportunity to shine. In short, the ancient droid Huyang (David Tennant) comes the closest to Baylan and Shin in terms of screen presence and intrigue. Baylan shines almost by default, but Stevenson’s performance is understated and compelling, something the show could have used more of.
Of course, I liked McCann in Game of Thrones, and he was hilarious in Hot Fuzz. In a scenario where you have to recast a character, I don’t think they could have done any better. He’s a good actor, and he’s the right physical type. McCann doesn’t look like Stevenson in the face, but who does? Sometimes, you have to make due, and I think the character’s build and intimidating presence are more essential than his face. McCann is also great at disappearing into a role; when I was looking at his IMDb page, I didn’t even realize he was in most of the things I’ve seen him in. And in my family, we always recognize actors and point them out, so that’s saying something. I’ve been wrong about these Star Wars shows over and over again; I thought Obi-Wan Kenobi would be good, I had hope for The Acolyte, and I wasn’t excited for Skeleton Crew at all. All that is to say, I’m feeling optimistic about this casting decision, but I’ve been very, very wrong about Star Wars as of late.
But what do you think of Rory McCann as Ray Stevenson’s replacement as Baylan? Can he finish this character’s story satisfactorily, or does anyone even care after how season 1 went? Let us know in the comments!
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