Latest news with #Ahsoka
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I have watched every Star Wars film and this is my ultimate ranking from best to worst: CERI THOMAS
A long time ago in a galaxy far away… you were lucky if you got a new Star Wars trilogy once every couple of decades. Heck, the first 30 years of the franchise's existence saw just six films and a small smattering of mediocre TV shows spring from the mind of George Lucas. But since Disney bought the rights to Star Wars in 2012, things have gone into hyperdrive. A new trilogy of movies was just the start of things. Soon the House of the Mouse brought us standalone prequel flicks like Rogue One and Solo too. And then the avalanche of TV content really got going as The Mandalorian, Andor, The Book Of Boba Fett, Rebels, The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka and more filled our download screens with more Jedi, droids, wookiees and Sith than you can shake a lightsaber at.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lester Holt Signs Off as NBC Nightly News Anchor — Will You Miss Him?
Lester Holt has officially left the anchor's chair. The veteran newsman delivered his final broadcast as the anchor of NBC Nightly News on Friday, and as usual, the bulk of the half-hour was devoted to delivering the day's news. Holt did take time at the end, however, to commemorate his time behind the desk: 'As an anchor, it's been an honor to lead this program, and an honor to be welcomed into your homes. I'm so grateful for your trust.' More from TVLine Liev Schreiber, Stephen Graham and Zazie Beetz to Star in Apple TV+ Adaptation of Lars Kepler's Joona Linna Crime Novels As Doctor Odyssey's Fate Hangs in the Balance, Joshua Jackson Thanks John Oliver for Viral Season 2 Renewal Plea Netflix's The Gentlemen Reveals Full Season 2 Cast as Filming Begins in UK Holt added that 'around here, facts matter, words matters, journalism matters… and you matter.' He brought out the entire Nightly News staff to join him on stage, and he urged viewers: 'Please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same.' That led into a montage of Holt's most memorable moments as anchor, including touring the sites of natural disasters and interviewing newsmakers. When the montage ended, Holt was clearly emotional as he said: 'It has been quite a ride. Thanks, everybody.' Holt announced in February that he was stepping down as NBC Nightly News anchor, a role he's held since 2015. Moving forward, he will focus on NBC News' Dateline, which he has anchored since 2011. 'After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News,' Holt said in a statement to NBC staffers. 'It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.' Holt will be replaced by Tom Llamas, whose ascension to the Nightly News anchor chair was first reported in March. Llamas has served as a senior national correspondent for NBC News and reported for NBC Nightly News alongside Holt. He also anchored Top Story with Tom Llamas, a daily primetime newscast for NBC News NOW, and contributed to various NBC News outlets, including Today. His first broadcast as NBC Nightly News anchor airs this Monday, June 2. Will you miss Holt? Let us know what you think of NBC's big anchor swap in a comment below. Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Game of Thrones star Rory McCann speaks out on joining Star Wars as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka: "I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Game of Thrones star Rory McCann has spoken out for the first time on taking over as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka season 2. McCann is stepping in for Ray Stevenson as the former Jedi, after Stevenson sadly died in 2023. The casting was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration 2025. "I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline, not just cut it off," McCann told "We've done it before with other things. I hope the fans embrace it and I'll do my best. I'm just starting now, so I'm just trying to be in the right zone for doing it. It's pretty bloody exciting. I mean, I remember being a kid with my dad, going to the first one probably in the late '70s and '80s. Now I'm training with a lightsaber at night, so it's pretty exciting." "It was a challenge for me to even consider continuing for a while," Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni said at this year's Celebration of Stevenson's passing. "But I have a great support group with Jon [Favreau] and Rosario [Dawson]. And I found a way, and I had Ray in my head. And [I'm] grateful for all those conversations with him about Baylan, so I understood what to do. It just took a while to get there. But I'm very confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction of the character that we've chosen." Also at Celebration, it was confirmed that Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker in season 2, while another major Star Wars character, Admiral Ackbar, will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn. A first look of sorts was also played for the crowd, featuring concept art spliced together with a voice over that teased giant evil droids and battles in two galaxies. Ahsoka season 2 doesn't yet have a release date. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Rory McCann Opens Up About Taking on Baylan Skoll for ‘Ahsoka' Season 2
Whenever we return to Ahsoka, and its mysterious antagonist Baylan Skoll, we'll be doing so in the sad recognition of the passing of the late, great Ray Stevenson, who brought the character to such intriguing life in season one. Now, Skoll will be played by Game of Thrones' Rory McCann, who has opened up about the responsibility–and the fight training–that comes with taking on such a legacy. McCann was only officially confirmed as taking on the mantle of the dark Jedi for season 2 at Star Wars Celebration Japan last month, following reports about the decision to recast the character rather than write Skoll out of Ahsoka entirely. 'I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline, not just cut it off,' McCann told about the decision, one of the first times he's spoke out about joining the galaxy far, far away. 'We've done it before with other things. I hope the fans embrace it, and I'll do my best. I'm just starting now, so I'm just trying to be in the right zone for doing it. It's pretty bloody exciting.' McCann's right–although the circumstances around Skoll's recasting are understandably forced by tragedy, Star Wars fans have gotten used to accepting characters being recast over the course of the long Skywalker saga (and arguably should continue to get even more comfortable with, if the alternative is as either McCann says, not carrying on a storyline, or whatever the whole digital Luke Skywalker homunculus situation The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian have going on). Aside from having to take on another actor's character, McCann's also getting to grips with something he's already plenty familiar with thanks to his time in Westeros: the sword training. 'I mean, I remember being a kid with my dad, going to the first one probably in the late '70s and '80s,' he added. 'Now I'm training with a lightsaber at night, so it's pretty exciting.' Turns out he's also right about another thing–training with actual swords is a transferable skill in the galaxy far, far away. 'Thrones has really helped with that. Same kind of moves, same blocking… doesn't have the same sexy sound though, oh, my god,' McCann joked. 'Lightsabers are lighter, but having said that, the Thrones swords were stunt swords and you've got to pretend that they're three times heavier than they are. But it's all pretend, really. It's all very exciting.' Ahsoka is expected to return to Dinsey+ some time in 2026.
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
AHSOKA Season 2 Star Rory McCann Talks About Playing Baylan Skoll: "I Think It's the Right Decision" — GeekTyrant
Game of Thrones actor Rory McCann is officially stepped into the role of Baylan Skoll for Ahsoka Season 2, a character originally portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson, whose performance left a powerful impression on fans. Speaking for the first time about taking on the role, McCann opened up with a mix of humility, excitement, and reverence for what came before. McCann told ComicBook: "I think it's the right decision to carry on his storyline, not just cut it off. We've done it before with other things. I hope the fans embrace it and I'll do my best. 'I'm just starting now, so I'm just trying to be in the right zone for doing it. It's pretty bloody exciting. I mean, I remember being a kid with my dad, going to the first one probably in the late '70s and '80s. Now I'm training with a lightsaber at night, so it's pretty exciting." McCann's casting was confirmed at Star Wars Celebration 2025, and it feels like a natural move when you consider his previous roles playing gritty, intense, and quietly complex characters. His towering screen presence and gravitas could bring something unique to Baylan, while still honoring what Stevenson began. Series creator Dave Filoni also spoke about the challenge of continuing Baylan's arc after Stevenson's passing, saying it wasn't a decision he made lightly. 'It was a challenge for me to even consider continuing for a while. But I have a great support group with Jon [Favreau] and Rosario [Dawson]. And I found a way, and I had Ray in my head. 'And [I'm] grateful for all those conversations with him about Baylan, so I understood what to do. It just took a while to get there. But I'm very confident now that Ray would be happy with the direction of the character that we've chosen.' Stevenson gave a standout performance in Ahsoka Season 1, crafting a character who was mysterious, powerful, and on the verge of something big. After he passed away, there was a heavy question mark hanging over the future of the show. But now, with McCann wielding the orange-bladed saber, the story moves forward. Star Wars Celebration also teased a few other big reveals: Hayden Christensen is officially returning as Anakin Skywalker in season 2, and Admiral Ackbar will be going toe-to-toe with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Footage shown behind closed doors offered a concept-art sizzle reel paired with voice-over that hinted at massive battles and a galaxy-spanning conflict. There's no official release date for Ahsoka Season 2 yet, but between Christensen's return, Thrawn's rising threat, and Rory McCann training with a lightsaber under the stars, the Force feels strong with this one.
