In the sprawling world of Star Wars, the heroes are arguably the most well-known. From Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker, they are the ones the audiences go the craziest for. But this doesn’t mean that the villains are unappreciated.
Darth Vader is unquestionably one of the best villainous characters in Star Wars and also one of the best in all of fiction. In the ongoing Ahsoka series, a new kind of character doesn’t really fit into these molds, and Ray Stevenson plays him.
Ray Stevenson plays Baylan Skoll on the Ahsoka Disney+ show. The character is a former Jedi who operates as a mercenary. He was one of the few Force sensitives who survived the events of Order 66 and became loyal to Thrawn. Unfortunately, Stevenson is no longer among us. So, Disney edited a small tribute for him at the end of the first episode. The text read, “For our friend, Ray.”
What Character Does Ray Stevenson Play at the End of Ahsoka?
Ray Stevenson plays the character of Baylan Skoll in the Disney+ series Ahsoka. He’s a former Jedi with complete control of the Force, but now he is an unrelenting mercenary.
He’s one of the handful of Force-sensitive people who survived the events of Order 66. After that, he became a loyal follower of Admiral Thrawn.
Till now, Stevenson’s Baylan has been shown to be powerful. However, he also adheres to his code, even though it’s unclear what that code entails.
It’s interesting how similar he is to the titular heroine, played by Rosario Dawson. Like her, he, too, turned away from the Jedi Order.
As such, it looks pretty clear that Baylan and not Thrawn will be the villain that mirrors Ashoka. Sadly, actor Ray Stevenson isn’t among us anymore, so Disney Plus and Lucasfilm paid homage to him.
Disney and Ahsoka’s Tribute to Ray Stevenson
Disney+ edited a dedication to him at the end of the very first episode of Ahsoka. The text reads, “For our friend, Ray.” Even series lead Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka Tano, paid tribute to the actor.
She posted a selfie that both of them took together on her Instagram account and wrote:
“A giant of a man… @officialraystevenson_, stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world. At a loss for words… I just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever-ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart.”
Star Wars fans know that Ahsoka isn’t the first foray of the veteran actor into the world of galaxies, lightsabers, and aliens. He had voiced a Mandalorian warrior who was a part of the Death Watch called Gar Saxon in Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated shows.
Viewers of these shows will probably remember that Gar Saxon and Ahsoka Tano also clashed in The Clone Wars. The actor sadly breathed his last on May 21, 2023.
Dawson wasn’t the only actor who wrote a tribute to him. Ivanna Sakhno, who plays Shin Hati, Baylan’s apprentice, also wrote a tribute for her co-star. She said:
“My heart is shattered, and I can’t fathom you not being here. My dear friend. My Master. A giant with an even bigger heart.”
Only four days before his 59th birthday, the actor left the world. Stevenson had been hospitalized on Ischia Island while shooting for the film Casino. The cause of Ray Stevenson’s death hasn’t been revealed.
Star Wars Ahsoka is now streaming on Disney+
What are your thoughts on the tribute to Ray Stevenson on Ahsoka? Should Lucasfilm and Disney have done something more?
Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Rosario Dawson Instagram
