According to Deadline, David Tennant (Doctor Who, Fright Night) and Lars Mikkelsen (Headhunter, Herrens veje) have joined the cast of the upcoming series Ahsoka. Series creators Dave Filoni (The Oblongs, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and Jon Favreau (Chef, Swingers) appeared alongside series lead Rosario Dawson (Death Proof, Rent) on stage at the 2023 Star Wars Celebration in London this morning, confirming the news.
Star Wars shared the exciting news on Twitter, which prompted a reply from BBC’s Doctor Who account:
Doctor Who? 🤔
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) April 8, 2023
The droid character Huyang in the series will be played by Tennant, as reported by Blast. In a previous role, he had already voiced the same character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, specifically in season 5’s seventh episode titled “A Test of Strength”.
Filoni spoke on Tennant’s addition to the cast saying, “You have to have him. He makes it work.”
According to TVInsider, Mikkelsen will be returning to his role as Grand Admiral Thrawn, which he previously voiced in the Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels. The casting was announced by Lucasfilm on Friday, April 7, 2023, with Mikkelsen appearing in person, according to Variety.
The character Ahsoka, co-created by George Lucas and Filoni, will continue her story from The Mandalorian in the upcoming Disney+ series Ahsoka. A Togruta alien, known for their large montrals and head tails, and colorful pigments, Ahsoka’s journey will be further explored.
“One of the beautiful things about watching [Ahsoka’s] journey is that even when she was so young, she was fearless,” exclaimed Dawson via Blast. “We are living and breathing Star Wars on a regular basis and we just really truly love it… It’s not just a job. It’s joy.”
Other cast members include Ray Stevenson (The Three Musketeers, Thor) portraying former Jedi Baylon, Ivanna Sakhno (High Fidelity, The Reunion) portraying Jedi Baylon’s apprentice, Shin Hati, Hayden Christensen (Jumper, Takers) reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Death Proof) portraying Twi’lek revolutionary Hera, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo (The Voyeurs, Day Shift) portraying rebel warrior Sabine Wren.
Ahsoka premieres on Disney+ in August of this year.