Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 1.
Summary
Governor Azadi and Jai Kell, characters from Star Wars Rebels, unexpectedly and excitingly make their first appearance in live-action in Ahsoka. The seamless transition from animation to live-action is ensured as Clancy Brown, who provided the voice for Governor Azadi in Star Wars Rebels, also portrays the character in Ahsoka.
The inclusion of Azadi and Jai in Ahsoka suggests that more Star Wars Rebels characters may appear in the series, creating excitement for upcoming episodes. Ahsoka introduces unexpected characters from Star Wars Rebels into its live-action story. The series follows Ahsoka as she embarks on a quest to locate Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has resurfaced after rumors of his return. With the New Republic in its infancy and Imperial Remnants still posing a threat, Thrawn's reappearance could spark a war. In order to prevent this, Ahsoka recruits her most trusted allies to find the Grand Admiral before it's too late.
Star Wars Rebels introduced Thrawn to the screen, giving fans hope for the inclusion of other characters from the animated series. Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and Chopper have already made appearances in the first episodes of Ahsoka, confirming their involvement. A teaser trailer for the series also hinted at Thrawn's live-action debut, and Zeb briefly appeared in The Mandalorian season 3. The appearances of other Star Wars Rebels characters remain undisclosed, but the two featured in the first episode of Ahsoka are quite unexpected.
Who Are Governor Azadi & Jai Kell?
Who Plays Governor Azadi & Jai Kell?
Governor Ryder Azadi is best known for his close connections to both Ezra Bridger and the planet of Lothal within the Star Wars Rebels universe. Within the series, Azadi played a vital role as the leader of a resistance faction on Lothal, actively supporting the Ghost crew in numerous missions, most notably in the successful liberation of Lothal from Imperial control. Another individual with a strong bond to Ezra is Jai Kell, who first encountered him when Bridger was on an undercover assignment at the Imperial Academy. The Ghost crew played a pivotal role in Jai's escape from the Academy, allowing him and his mother, who were originally from Lothal, to go into hiding until Jai eventually joined Azadi's resistance group. Together, Jai and the rest of the team contributed significantly to the liberation of Lothal, as well as participating in various other key actions that paved the way for the planet's eventual freedom.
Clancy Brown reprises his role as Governor Azadi in Ahsoka, having previously provided the character's voice in Star Wars Rebels. This is Brown's second foray into live-action Star Wars, following his portrayal of Burg in The Mandalorian season 1, episode 6 "Chapter 6 - The Prisoner." Vinny Thomas portrays Jai Kell in Ahsoka, while Dante Basco voiced the character in Star Wars Rebels. Both actors bear an astonishing resemblance to their animated counterparts, particularly Brown, resulting in a seamless transition from animation to live-action.
The appearances of Azadi and Jai in the live-action series Ahsoka were both unexpected and highly anticipated. Their presence, especially with Sabine's iconic mural in the background, was a delightful treat for fans of Star Wars Rebels. One particularly memorable scene was when Azadi publicly acknowledged Ezra's role in liberating Lothal from the Empire, presenting a striking contrast to Empire Day and Ezra's birthday as depicted in the animated series. These appearances of beloved Rebels characters in Ahsoka pave the way for the potential inclusion of other unexpected characters, creating a stronger sense of interconnectedness within the Star Wars universe.
Catch new episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.
