
From the echoing Wadaiko drums evoking the Samurai film origins of George Lucas’ original Star Wars concept to some of the most intense lightsaber duels since Revenge of the Sith, Ahsoka is every inch a love letter dedicated to the world’s most beloved sci-fi franchise. Helmed by The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels showrunner Dave Filoni, this latest entry in Lucasfilm’s ever-expanding Star Wars franchise not only stands apart from many of the other Disney+ series to proceed it, but it could quite possibly be the most exquisitely crafted franchise entry since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012.
Long before audiences had ever heard of the likes of Kylo Ren, Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron, in 2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender director Filoni was given the daunting task of bringing Lucas’ franchise back to life via plans for an ambitious animated series set between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Moreover, Lucas himself insisted on the introduction of a divisive new character, Ahsoka Tano – the previously unknown padawan learner of Anakin Skywalker himself.

Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm’s ‘AHSOKA’, exclusively on Disney+
While Ahsoka’s initial introduction to the Star Wars fandom was not entirely smooth, as Filoni began to find his footing under Lucas’ tutelage, both The Clone Wars and its Togruta padawan were quickly embraced as fan favourites. Now, 15 years later, Filoni’s own journey from apprentice to master has come full circle, much like that of Rosario Dawson’s live-action Ahsoka.
If you ever happen to watch or listen to one of Filoni’s many interviews, it quickly becomes apparent that not only does he possess a deep affection for the Star Wars brand, but he matches it with a deep and nuanced understanding of the creative decisions that made it so successful under Lucas’ original watch. While many other talented filmmakers have tried to follow in Lucas’ footsteps in recent years, it only takes the first few minutes of Ahsoka episode 1 to realise that Filoni is by far the most qualified to ever attempt it.

L-R: Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in Lucasfilm’s ‘AHSOKA’, exclusively on Disney+
Complete with its own version of an opening crawl that practically begs for John Williams’ iconic score, the first two episodes find Dawson’s Ahsoka following on from the threads laid by her live-action debut in The Mandalorian season 2 and seeking a way to locate the missing Grand Admiral Thrawn and the lost Jedi padawan from Star Wars: Rebels Ezra Bridger. Yet while some may be tempted to consider this series a mere extension of Filoni’s previous animated adventures, Filoni and his team have managed to piece together a new series that possibly feels far more like a Star Wars film than many of the actual films we have seen in recent years.
Viewers have already had a taste of Dawson’s tenure as a live-action Ahsoka, and she continues to perfectly embody the strength and independence that her character’s original voice actress Ashley Eckstein imbued her with. However, by far the standout star of Ahsoka is Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who brings the tempestuous Mandalorian graffiti artist turned Rebel hero Sabine Wren to life. While she has negligible skill to channel the Force, viewers quickly learn that Ahsoka once attempted to teach Sabine the ways of the Jedi only to have her tutelage end bitterly. Reflecting Lucas’ own love of symmetry, Bordizzo’s Sabine is every bit the rebellious student that Ahsoka’s own master Anakin was for Obi-Wan Kenobi.

L-R: Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Huyang (David Tennant) in Lucasfilm’s ‘AHSOKA’, exclusively on Disney+
Another notable standout comes via the return of Good Omens and Doctor Who star David Tennant to the role of the droid Huyang. Formerly the droid tasked with assisting young Jedi padawans in crafting their first lightsabers, this new show now finds him serving Ahsoka as one of the few remaining surviving members of the order he once belonged to. While those familiar with The Clone Wars animated series have already met Tennant’s Star Wars character, Ahsoka manages to turn him into a faithful and beloved droid sidekick capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of C-3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8.
If Andor was revered for introducing something entirely new to the Star Wars franchise, Ahsoka should be equally celebrated for bringing something back that we didn’t know was missing to begin with. While the show continues to introduce new characters and emerging threats, it is intimately familiar and as comforting as being offered a warm blanket on a cold starship by the Queen of Naboo. Filoni and his team have done an exceptional job setting the stage for what is bound to become one of the greatest Star Wars television series ever made.
Ahsoka episodes 1 and 2 are now available to stream on Disney+