Rosario Dawson Details What Changes Have Occurred For Ahsoka In Season Two

Star Wars

Oct 28

Rosario Dawson made her debut as live-action Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian Season 2. At the time, there was criticism of Dawson’s performance as Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan, and fans noted that Ahsoka smiled a lot less and seemed like a different person. Many noticed differences between the actress’s portrayal of Tano and her spunky, headstrong animated persona, voiced by Ashley Eckstein. However, Rosario portrayed Ahsoka exactly as Dave Filoni meant for her to be portrayed. Ahsoka’s first season delved into Tano’s decades-long trauma, which stems from the betrayal she suffered at the hands of Bariss Offee, and her disappointment with how quickly the Jedi Council believed the allegations put forth against her.

Although she was proven innocent, she ultimately decided she needed to leave and find her own path. The decision was hard enough for Tano, but what followed was years of trauma following Order 66, as Tano lost friends like Padme Amidala and her Master, Anakin Skywalker. During Star Wars Rebels, she discovered that Darth Vader was none other than her Master, and the duo faced off in a duel that nearly got her killed. All of this, plus her falling out with her own Padawan, Sabine Wren, transformed Ahsoka into a shell of the bright and spunky young girl she once was. However, according to Rosario Dawson, she might be regaining some of her spunk and joy in Ahsoka Season 2.

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Rosario Dawson in ‘Ahsoka’ — Image Source: StarWars.com

At Comic Con Scotland, Dawson discussed the changes fans can expect to see in her character next season. She explains, "She had a more of stronger gravitas at the beginning, and she was a little bit more unflappable," Dawson shared. "And I'm liking that she's relaxing, she's kind of getting back into her joy. I think those moments with Hayden and Anakin were so important for her to heal something, so she could be more present." Dawson is referring to Ahsoka and Anakin’s World Between Worlds reunion from Ahsoka, Episode 5, “Shadow Warrior.” It’s where Ahsoka began a journey of healing, and it served as a form of closure for Tano. She could finally see Anakin as her Master again and embrace their memories together, instead of being ashamed and traumatized by what he became, while fearing that she would pass on his darkness to her own Padawan. Dawson says, "I'm really glad that we get to add more joy into her life and see her relax a little bit more and work in community a little bit more than she has."

This is an exciting development for fans who were eager to see Ahsoka being her old, optimistic self again. Tano has been through a lot of trauma, but if she feels and expresses joy, that’s a sign that she is healing. How much will Anakin Skywalker have to do with this change? As of the end of Season 1, Tano and her Padawan were stranded on Peridea, with Anakin watching over them from a distance. Maybe in Season 2, Ahsoka will finally have an opportunity to speak to Anakin’s force ghost, which could be exactly what she needs to move on from the past. Skywalker could teach her to forgive herself and embrace her future. Exactly what role Skywalker will play in the show’s second season is still a mystery, but Hayden Christensen’s return was confirmed months ago during Star Wars Celebration. Ahsoka Season 2 completed filming this month and will likely hit Disney+ sometime next year.