Highlights
- Star Wars: Ahsoka finally premiered on Disney Plus, but it's bittersweet as one of the stars, Ray Stevenson, passed away before the release.
- Stevenson's performance as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka has been highly praised for its quiet intensity, making it a fitting last showcase of his talent on screen.
- The first episode of Ahsoka ends with a touching tribute to Stevenson, dedicating the episode (and likely the show itself) to him as "For our friend, Ray."
The first two Star Wars: Ahsoka episodes finally premiered on Disney Plus. But the occasion has been bittersweet, as Ray Stevenson, one of the spinoff series' stars, had recently passed away before its release. In his honor, the first episode ended with a simple but touching tribute.
Stevenson stars in Ahsoka as Baylan Skoll, one of two new villains wielding striking orange lightsabers and working as mercenaries for Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) as she searches for Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). Even in his initial appearances so far, he's earned some of the most praise of anyone in the Star Wars show due to the quiet intensity of his performance. While it may not be his true legacy as an actor, it's been a fitting last showcase of the late actor's talent on the screen. So, a dedication from the show itself feels especially fitting.
Just before the credits roll at the end of Ahsoka's first episode, a short tribute can now be seen dedicating the episode (and likely the show itself) to Stevenson, reading "For our friend, Ray." Even though he won't see it, it's nice to have that little nod to an actor who has made a real mark on Star Wars. Seeing where his character goes as the season progresses will be exciting. But even just for now, he's already become one of the show's highlights, and that's a testament to Stevenson's incredible abilities as an actor.
Ahsoka may see Stevenson playing a former Jedi-turned-mercenary alongside Ivanna Sakhno as his apprentice, Shin Hati. But many may have forgotten that he's been in Star Wars before. He previously voiced the treasonous Mandalorian Gar Saxon in both The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, the former of which saw the character's radical ideals inspire him to join a coup against the current leadership of his home planet, Mandalore. During this period, he was led by former Sith Lord Maul. However, he eventually pledged loyalty to the Galactic Empire and became Governor of Mandalore under the direct command of Emperor Palpatine. However, he was killed after losing a duel with the young Mandalorian Sabine Wren.
Aside from Star Wars, the Northern Irish-born Stevenson enjoyed a successful and varied career that saw him in roles such as Governor Scott in 2022's RRR and Volstagg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Thor films. His projects maintained a level of diversity throughout his life, as he bounced from historical dramas like 2004's King Arthur and the HBO series Rome to more fantastical appearances like the mobster Isaak Sirko in Dexter season 7 and even Blackbeard himself in the Starz series Black Sails, intended as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's literary classic Treasure Island. He also notably played The Punisher in Punisher: War Zone before the Marvel Cinematic Universe's creation.
Stevenson's acting career was already one to be celebrated before Ahsoka, and he'll be remembered for far more than simply an intimidating lightsaber-wielding villain. But even so, it's nice that he got one last acclaimed appearance as a final dedication to his life and accomplishments. RIP to a legend.
Ahsoka releases new episodes on Tuesdays on Disney Plus.
Source: Disney Plus