Ahsoka's Heartrending Farewell: The Poignant Tribute to Ray Unveiled

This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 1.

Summary

In the first episode of the Disney+ TV show Ahsoka, there is a heartfelt tribute to the late Ray Stevenson, who sadly passed away in May 2022. It is evident that his absence is deeply felt by both the cast and crew.

Renowned for his performances in Rome, Punisher, and Black Sails, Ray Stevenson had a special association with the Star Wars franchise. He was brought on board for Ahsoka, where he portrayed the character of the menacing Jedi Baylan Skoll.

The passing of Ray Stevenson has deeply impacted the entire cast and crew of the Ahsoka TV show, resulting in an outpouring of tributes on social media. In honor of his love for Star Wars and his important contributions to the series, the show opens with a heartfelt tribute to Stevenson. As the flagship franchise of Disney+, Star Wars holds a significant place, with The Mandalorian season 1 being released alongside the launch of the streaming service. The Ahsoka Disney+ TV show represents the latest installment in this ongoing saga, presenting Rosario Dawson as the live-action Ahsoka Tano. However, the cast has unfortunately been struck by tragedy with the loss of one of their own.

Unfortunately, your browser lacks support for the video tag. In the first episode of Ahsoka, there is a poignant tribute message that reads, "For our beloved friend, Ray." This heartfelt statement pays homage to the late Ray Stevenson, who regrettably passed away in May 2022. Stevenson was an integral member of the Ahsoka cast and his absence is deeply felt.

Ray Stevenson Passed Away After Playing Baylan In Ahsoka

The Cast & Crew Loved Working With Ray Stevenson, Making This A Powerful Tribute

Ray Stevenson, best known for his roles in Rome, Punisher, and Black Sails, had a notable presence in Star Wars as well. He lent his voice to the character Gar Saxon, the Mandalorian Imperial leader, in Star Wars Rebels, forging a strong bond with Lucasfilm's Dave Filoni. Later, Stevenson joined the Ahsoka project, this time transitioning to live-action as the enigmatic dark Jedi, Baylan Skoll. Tragically, on May 21, 2023, just four days shy of his 59th birthday, Stevenson passed away. The cause of his death remains undisclosed, although there have been reports of him being admitted to the hospital while working on the movie Casino in Ischia.

Stevenson couldn't contain his enthusiasm about the experience, showering the cast and crew with compliments. "The costumes are true works of art," he eagerly shared with Entertainment Weekly. "And the set designs. It's as if a genius designed them! And when you see the set construction surrounding you — the technical and creative talent is absolutely awe-inspiring." Having attended Star Wars Celebration 2023, he left feeling invigorated and filled with excitement.

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The entire cast and crew of Ahsoka were deeply saddened by Ray Stevenson's death. Tributes flooded social media as news of his passing broke, and the stars often look back with fond memories of their time with him. Ivanna Sackhno, who played Baylan's apprentice Shin, had a close working relationship with him and clearly feels a great loss. It's fitting, then, that the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show begins with a heartfelt tribute to Stevenson, honoring his love for Star Wars and his passion for wielding a lightsaber in live-action.

New episodes of Ahsoka are available on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.