Ahsoka on Disney+: How much is a new Star Wars series centered on Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan worth?

What are you doing?

After the fall of the Empire, former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano investigates a hidden threat that could upset the fragile balance of a still vulnerable galaxy…

who is he with

The title role of the series was given to Rosario Dawson. However, this is not the first appearance of the American actress in the franchise, as the latter has already given her features to Ahsoka Tano in the series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

Fan-suggested and hand-picked by series creator Dave Filoni (also of The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series), Rosario Dawson proves in this new series that no actor could better portray him as Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan!

Alongside him, two characters from the Rebels animated series make their live-action debut. The Mandalorian’s Sabine Wren does indeed portray Natasha Liu Bordizzo ( Society ), while Mary Elizabeth Winstead ( Scott Pilgrim )—who happens to be Ewan McGregor’s companion—camps with General Hera Syndulla.

On the bad guys’ side, the late Ray Stevenson (whom the first episode of the series is dedicated to) appears as ex-Jedi mercenary Baylan Scolley. Ukrainian actress Ivana Sakhno (Pacific Rim: Uprising) plays her apprentice Sheen Hutt.

While absent from early episodes, the main villain of the series is Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn. This blue-skinned character, a former high-ranking officer of the Empire, is interpreted by Lars Mikkelsen (Sherlock), who already voiced him in the animated series, Star Wars: Rebels.

Finally, note the vocal appearance of David Tennant as Huiyang, but also as the creator of the series Dave Philon in the role of Chopper. Fun fact: these two droids have already been voiced by the same interpreters in the Star Wars, Clone Wars and Rebels cartoons!

Is it worth checking out?

Therefore, it would be necessary to wait five performances before the main role of the Star Wars series was finally entrusted to a woman. But what other heroine in the franchise deserved to be offered her own spin-off than Ahsoka Tano?

Completely absent from the three cinematic trilogies (aside from a brief voice cameo at the end of The Rise of Skywalker), this George Lucas-created character made his grand debut in the film and then The Clone Wars series as Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice.

His impulsive nature in the face of danger and disdain for rules (which earned him the affectionate nickname “Chip”) also recall the rebellious personality of his Jedi master. His training did not end after the start of the Clone Wars.

Shortly before the conflict was resolved, the latter decided to distance himself from the Jedi Order after being accused of a murder he did not commit. This decision specifically explains how the latter managed to escape the Order 66 purge.

A love letter to the films of George Lucas

If she is not known to the general public, Ahsoka Tano remains a major figure in the extended universe of the Star Wars franchise and one of the rare characters to appear in the timeline of George Lucas films (the prequel and original trilogy) and Disney productions.

From the very first seconds of the series, the desire to connect with the spirit of the original films is felt through the presence of scrolling credits. Still, a symbol of the Star Wars saga, this element has never been used by any other series, and this simple detail allowed Ahsoka to stand out from the rest of the Disney+ series from its opening day.

The series then wastes no time in introducing our two main villains (Thrawn is not in these first two episodes, though he is mentioned frequently). Ahsoka’s relentless search leads her to two old allies: Hera and Sabine Ren.

There is clearly an unconditional love for the entire Star Wars universe in Dave Filoni. His encyclopedic knowledge of the saga, inherited especially from the animated series, but also from The Mandalorian, allows him to expand the scope of his story through frequent returns to the past.

If neither of the first two episodes offers flashback scenes, remember that the trailer confirmed that Anakin Skywalker will appear in Ahsoka as Hayden Christensen (digitally rejuvenated like his cameo in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series).

100% Star Wars!

The many easter eggs introduced in the first two episodes serve the story. These references to the Star Wars movies put us in a form of melancholic nostalgia, as well as the state of mind of the prisoners of their past heroes.

Ahsoka does not forget that it is also an action series. As evidenced by the many Latin fights offered in these first two episodes: the assassination in the hallway by the Bailan School (a response to Darth Vader at the end of Rogue One), Ahsoka Tano facing the Inquisitor, or even the duel between Shin Hat and Sabine Wren.

Without a doubt, Ahsoka falls into the category of success. In a completely different style than Andor (the best of the Star Wars series), Ahsoka offers a series that offers everything you can expect from a Star Wars production: complex characters, a rich and abundant world, and lovable creatures. Especially if they are on a date!

But what else should we expect from a series piloted by someone named as its worthy successor by George Lucas himself? However, it remains to be seen whether this series, aimed primarily at the most die-hard fans, will be able to captivate an audience with only limited knowledge of the saga…

A year after the huge disappointment of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Disney + in no way misses the mark with the excellent series dedicated to Ahsoka Tano, which you can see every Wednesday exclusively on the platform.

Discover a list of all the series currently available on Disney+!