August 22, 2023

New 'Star Wars' series 'Ahsoka' hits Disney+: What to know

WATCH: Exclusive 1st look at 'Star Wars: Ahsoka'

The latest small-screen "Star Wars" show, "Ahsoka," debuts Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Disney+.

Ahsoka Tano, the live-action version of the character that first appeared in animated form in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and then "Rebels," is played by Rosario Dawson. The new show focuses on the onetime Jedi's attempts to stop the rise of the Empire.

Lucasfilm Ltd.
A scene from "Ahsoka" on Disney+.

To that end, she's looking for Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Imperial military genius who was lost in hyperspace along with young Jedi Ezra Bridger in the "Rebels" finale.

MORE: Rosario Dawson says something 'dark' is coming in 'Ahsoka' teaser trailer: Watch

Lars Mikkelsen, who voiced the blue-skinned Thrawn in "Rebels," also plays him in "Ahsoka." Eman Esfandi plays Ezra.

Lucasfilm Ltd.
A scene from "Ahsoka" on Disney+.

Joining "Ahsoka" are Rebels allies, including Mary Elizabeth Winstead as ace pilot and green-skinned Twi'lek Hera Syndulla and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Mandalorian Sabine Wren.

Lucasfilm Ltd.
A scene from "Ahsoka" on Disney+.

But also looking for Thrawn, on an assignment from "The Mandalorian" villain Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), are a fallen Jedi, the late Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, and his apprentice, Ivanna Sakhno's Shin Hati.

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A scene from "Ahsoka" on Disney+.

To Emmy Magazine, Dawson said she felt "massive ... excitement" getting the role, as she "grew up playing with fake lightsabers."

Emmy-nominated "Mandalorian" costume designer Shawna Trpcic dressed the characters for "Ahsoka." She recently told ABC Audio how, like the original "Star Wars," they were inspired by Akira Kurosawa's films.

"You're going to be blown away by just the art, the action, the writing, the directing, the performances," she teased.

Lucasfilm Ltd.
A scene from "Ahsoka" on Disney+.

She added, "We were so touched [at how much] childlike giddiness [there was] whenever a new character would come on to stage."

A subscription to Disney+ costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, and a bundle consisting of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ costs $12.99 per month.

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