The role that the late Ray Stevenson played in Ahsoka is set to be taken over by Game of Thrones star Rory McCann, it’s been confirmed. In May 2023, it was announced that Stevenson, best-known for roles in Thor and Punisher, had died at the age of 58.
![[Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) in Lucasfilm's STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ??2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_168476781-8301.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It was later reported that the actor had been rushed to hospital from the set of a movie he had been making in Italy, with filming being suspended with immediate effect at the time. Stevenson’s death occurred three months before the premiere of Ahsoka, a Star Wars TV series on Disney Plus in which he played a former Jedi called Baylan Skoll.
![[Game Of Thrones Season 07 First Look Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane ??2017 Helen Sloan/HBO]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235552719-50ff.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Following the release of the first season, fans speculated whether Baylan would return, and if so, if a new actor would be cast to play the ominous character. Some viewers suggested possible contenders to succeed Stevenson such as Liev Schreiber, Gerard Butler, Viggo Mortensen and Russell Crowe.
However, it’s now been confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter that McCann, 55, best-known for playing Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound, in Game of Thrones has been cast in the role, with the news having first been revealed by film critic Jeffrey Sneider on The InSneider.
Reacting to the news on Reddit, one fan called Ash_Killem wrote: ‘Whoa. I like it. Stevenson created the character but McCann can do it justice. Just glad we are getting more of Baylan.’. ‘Agreed. All respect to Stevenson but writing off one of the most interesting new SW characters of the Disney era would’ve been a huge mistake,’ PurifiedVenom responded.
