At a Glance
Ahsoka’s first season premiered in August 2023, and the show’s second season was confirmed in January of 2024 with filming expected to begin by Summer of 2025.
Key Facts
Release Date: Aug 23, 2023
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 16 (estimated)
Creator: Dave Filoni
Where to Watch: Disney+
When: 5 years after Return of the Jedi
Recent Coverage
What is Ahsoka?
Ahsoka follows Ahsoka Tano as she navigates the galaxy in the aftermath of the Original Trilogy in 9ABY, and before watching the show, it is recommended that you are familiar with the larger story arcs of Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka’s initial appearance in The Mandalorian. Her quest revolves around the search for the elusive Grand Admiral Thrawn, who she believes is key to the potential resurgence of the Empire. She also believes that locating Thrawn will aid her in finding the missing Jedi, Ezra Bridger. The series is a spiritual successor to Star Wars Rebels as it continues many of the storylines of the animated show and features multiple characters. Ahsoka’s personal journey throughout the show is one of self-discovery and redemption as continuously she grapples with her past as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice and her future as one of the last surviving Jedi.
Will Ahsoka Have a Season 2?
Yes. According to StarWars.com, Ahsoka will have a second season that is set to begin filming in 2025. Currently, this is thought to be the final season of the show before the storylines of Ahsoka and The Mandalorian conclude in a feature film to be directed by Dave Filoni. Details of that potential film are currently unknown.
About Ahsoka
Dave Filoni
Disney+
TV-14
Action-adventure, Drama
37-57 minutes
2
16 (estimated)
5 years after Return of the Jedi
Cast
When Does Ahsoka Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
Ahsoka is set in the Star Wars timeline approximately nine years after the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and before the rise of the First Order, making it part of the era known as the New Republic period.
Reviews
Story and Characters
Ahsoka follows the titular Ahsoka Tano on her journey to discover the whereabouts of Grand Admiral Thrawn in order to prevent the return of the Empire after the events of Return of the Jedi. Her search takes on additional personal cost when she recruits an old ally, Sabine Wren, who seeks Thrawn in order to discover the whereabouts of her friend, Ezra Bridger.
The show also incorporates other key characters from the Star Wars Canon such as Hera Syndulla and Mon Mothma while also introducing exciting new villains like Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. As Ahsoka and Sabine’s mission progresses, they call upon their allies to aid in their search despite the over reluctance to believe in the validity of Thrawn’s return; an ultimately detrimental decision for the galaxy.
A spiritual successor to Rebels, Ahsoka uses Force mythology, an abundance of Star Wars lore, and a wealth of influence from 20th century samurai films to tell the next chapter in the story of Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice.
Ahsoka Tano
Arc
A former Jedi who lived through the horrors of The Clone Wars and The Galactic Civil War learns to place the value of her friends above any individual mission while simultaneously ensuring the safety of the larger galaxy.
Significance
The main protagonist of the show, Ahsoka’s journey and individual trials dictate the tone and direction of the series.
Sabine Wren
Arc
A Mandalorian who has dealt with loss after loss, Sabine begins the series without a sense of direction before reuniting with Ahsoka and tapping into her long lost potential as she searches for her friend.
Significance
Sabine’s journey from Rebels continues in Ahsoka, and her willingness to embrace her emotions in her decision making proves her to be a helpful foil for Ahsoka’s more stoic tendencies.
Hera Syndulla
Arc
Now a general for the New Republic, Hera continues her authoritative role she established in Rebels but eventually lets herself break the rules just a bit in order to aid her friends and gather allies.
Significance
Hera serves as a bridge between Ahsoka’s crew and the burgeoning New Republic government. She hopes to combine the strengths of all her allies in order to provide a safe future for the entire galaxy - especially her son.
Baylan Skoll
Arc
A former Jedi who survived Order 66, Skoll refuses to embrace the mantle of a traditional Dark Side user and instead embraces the use of those with nefarious ideals in order to progress down his own mysterious path.
Significance
Skoll serves as one of the main antagonists in the series purely due to the opposing nature of his eventual goal to that of Ahsoka’s. His desire to find Thrawn ends up not being about the Grand Admiral at all, but rather something bigger.
Shin Hati
Arc
A dark-side apprentice loyal to her master, Baylan Skoll, Shin Hati begins the series solely as a follower of his unknown plan but eventually takes control of her own destiny when the two find themselves on a strange new world.
Significance
Much like Skoll, Hati often finds herself at odds with Ahsoka and Sabine, causing her to duel the latter multiple times. In her pursuit of a power greater than she can imagine, she unwittingly brings Thrawn’s allies closer and closer, leading to his eventual return.
Morgan Elsbeth
Arc
A Nightsister who was a key element of the Imperial Navy during the reign of the Empire, Elsbeth uses every tool at her disposal to bring back Grand Admiral Thrawn. Her quest eventually leads her to reunite with her long lost sisters who help her delve into powerful dark magic.
Significance
Elsbeth constantly moves along the plot to rescue Grand Admiral Thrawn from his unknown planet of exile. By manipulating allies and enemies alike, she is able to discover the whereabouts of the Chiss leader and open the path for him to wreak havoc on the galaxy.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Arc
Thrawn’s eventual reveal in Ahsoka shows that despite his years in exile, he has not lost a single element of the chilling, calculative brutality that made him fearsome in Rebels. For years he has worked on a plan to return to the galaxy, and his tireless planning comes to fruition as all of his puzzle pieces fall into place.
Significance
First only uttered as a whispered threat, Thrawn’s presence reveals the severity of the threat the Empire still poses to the galaxy. Despite Ahsoka’s best efforts to convince the New Republic of his continued existence, they refuse to believe the story or offer aid until it is too late.
Key Episodes
The pilot sets the stage for Ahsoka’s quest and reintroduces key characters from Star Wars Rebels, establishing the central conflict of the series.
An action packed episode with the most intense lightsaber combat thus far, Fallen Jedi puts Ahsoka in the middle of her most dangerous path in the series. Her clashes with Skoll and Hati expose her to the true consequences of failure, culminating in the best ending stinger in the series.
The first season’s finale brings together every piece Filoni has placed upon the board since Rebels and ends the first arc with a mixture of intense action and plenty new mysteries that are sure to be explored in Season 2.
Design
Ahsoka’s design aesthetic takes inspiration from a wide variety of sources. Most directly, the show is influenced by the look of Rebels which created many of the storylines that are continued in the series. In contrast with The Mandalorian, Ahsoka is filled with a larger variety of colors and natural motif. Where Mandalorian is clearly a product of classic Western films, Ahsoka is a product of Lucas’s other chief inspiration for Star Wars: Akira Kurosawa. The pacing, costume details, and even fight choreography is all reminiscent of his mid-20th century samurai films, and that vibe is conspicuously present throughout the entirety of the first season.
Technology and Effects
Special Effects
Ahsoka continues the tradition of using The Volume, first created for The Mandalorian, to create immersive and dynamic environments, seamlessly blending the fantastical elements of Star Wars with the ability to craft intimate, character-driven storytelling. The series also makes extensive use of practical effects, particularly in creature design and lightsaber combat, paying homage to the classic Star Wars aesthetic while pushing technological boundaries.
Behind the Scenes
Dave Filoni, the mastermind behind The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels seemingly fulfills his life’s dream by bringing Ahsoka Tano to live-action. By closely collaborating with Rosario Dawson, who was first thought of for the titular part thanks to a fan campaign, Filoni creates a faithful yet nuanced depiction of the character that he first envisioned almost twenty years earlier. The show also sees the return of other beloved characters from the world of Star Wars animation which brings a further sense of interconnectivity and legitimacy to the so-called “Filoniverse.”
Related TV Shows & Films
An official spin-off starring Boba Fett and Fennec Shand following their appearances in Season 2. This show also features the continuation of Grogu’s story which contains important information for The Mandalorian’s third season.
Almost a prequel to the series, Rebels not only introduces key characters like Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla but also sets up plot lines that are directly carried through into Ahsoka. Rebels is also responsible for Thrawn’s reintroduction to Star Wars Canon.
The second season of The Mandalorian not only brought Ahsoka into live-action for the first time, it also introduced Morgan Elsbeth in the same episode; establishing a tumultuous relationship that continues into Ahsoka.
Books & Comics Related to Ahsoka
Awards & Recognition
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes (Winner)
2024
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series (Nominee)
2024
Top Critics
“No lightsabers can match the firece glow of Rosario Dawson as the ex-Jedi with the funky headgear who leads her sisterhood—glory to Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Natasha Liu Bordizzo—against the Empire’s fading patriarchy. Now that's worth celebrating.”
- Peter Travers, ABC News
“The myth of the character and Dawson’s performance gives enough reason to tune in.”
- Cristina Escobar, RogerEbert.com
“Like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka soars because it’s not afraid to hone in on a singular serialized adventure while allowing the audience to savor its many exquisite details.”
- Aramide Tinubu, Variety
“Fans of Clone Wars and Rebels will appreciate this live-action continuation of Dave Filoni’s saga, while newcomers should dig its promise of a different kind of Force clash.”
- Dan Jolin, Empire Magazine
