A New Shadow Rises: Rory McCann on Becoming Baylan Skoll

The twin suns of a galaxy far, far away now shine on a new face behind the shadowy warrior Baylan Skoll. Ahsoka Season 2 has been filming for several weeks, and at last, Rory McCann—best known as the Hound from Game of Thrones—has broken his silence on stepping into the role once held by the late Ray Stevenson.

In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, McCann opened up while promoting his latest film Tornado. When asked about carrying Baylan’s story forward, he was candid: “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.”

Training with a lightsaber under starlight, McCann is rediscovering a childhood dream. “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.”

Drawing from his Thrones experience, McCann noted, “Same kind of moves, same blocking. Doesn’t have the same sexy sound though.” He chuckled. “Lightsabers are lighter, but it’s all pretend, really. It’s all very exciting.”

While story details remain locked away, one thing’s clear: McCann understands the weight of this legacy. Ray Stevenson left behind a powerful presence—and Rory McCann is now walking into the storm, saber in hand, ready to honor it.