During a panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, Ahsoka Tano actress Rosario Dawson confirmed a massive Star Wars retcon that will occur in Ahsoka season 2, and I’m thrilled to hear it. As one of just a few upcoming Star Wars shows, Ahsoka season 2 has been getting plenty of attention. At present, not a lot is known about the plot of the show, although several Star Wars Celebration 2025 reveals pertained to the show.
Among those was the announcement that many were eagerly awaiting: Hayden Christensen is returning in Ahsoka season 2 as Anakin Skywalker. Christensen will be joined by a number of shocking characters confirmed to be appearing in Ahsoka season 2 as well, from beloved Star Wars Rebels character Zeb Orrelios to Star Wars icon Admiral Ackbar. However, Rosario Dawson confirmed one plotline in Ahsoka season 2 that has nothing to do with these characters—and that few saw coming.
“Thrawn Goes Big”: Rosario Dawson Confirms The Scale Of Ahsoka Season 2
This Is A Major Peek Into What Is Coming In Ahsoka Season 2
During a panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025, Ahsoka actress Rosario Dawson confirmed a major plot point in Ahsoka season 2 that addresses a burning question many had. Per a post by sw_holocron on X, Dawson shared:
Not only does this confirm a heavy focus on Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka season 2, but it also addresses a point of confusion left in the wake of Ahsoka season 1.
Following the Ahsoka season 1 finale, in which Thrawn returns to the main Star Wars galaxy with the clear intention of unifying the Imperial remnant and attempting to rebuild the Empire, many were wondering how major a threat Thrawn could really pose. This was due in large part to the absence of any mention of Thrawn or a massive battle during this era in the sequel trilogy. Evidently, though, there was a significant war waged during this period, which introduces a thrilling (and necessary) retcon.
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Star Wars Has Officially Retconned The New Republic’s History
Star Wars Needed A Retcon To Fix This Problem
In addition to there being no mention of a massive war following the fall of the Empire in the sequel trilogy, Star Wars had actually confirmed that the period between Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a peaceful one. Specifically, Claudia Gray’s canon novel Star Wars: Bloodline, which focuses on Leia’s story at this point in the Star Wars timeline, describes the New Republic Era as a period of galactic peace. This is obviously at odds with the notion that Thrawn initiated a significant war.
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Star Wars had already begun introducing the idea that this wasn’t entirely accurate in its TV shows, The Mandalorian in particular. In that show, characters like Moff Gideon revealed that some remained dedicated to the Empire after it had fallen. Even Ahsoka season 1 had shown the existence of lingering Imperial sympathizers—which is to be expected—during this era and hinted toward a breakdown in trust and communication within the leaders of the New Republic itself.
However, these examples are quite different from what Dawson described. Whereas these issues in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka season 1 represent important but still small-scale conflicts, Dawson is describing an outright war. After all, she explicitly said, “Thrawn goes big,” suggesting that this war will go far beyond a skirmish between just Thrawn and characters like Ezra Bridger and Hera Syndulla. Clearly, then, the notion that the New Republic was a period of peace is not quite accurate.
Whereas these issues in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka season 1 represent important but still small-scale conflicts, Dawson is describing an outright war.
This May Be A Retcon… But It’s A Great One
Star Wars Simply Had No Other (Realistic) Option
Retcons in Star Wars have historically gotten mixed reactions within the fanbase, often dependent upon which characters, movies, and/or stories are being affected. Given the sequel trilogy proved largely unpopular, this is unlikely to cause quite the same backlash or controversy (although, never say never in Star Wars). Whether it causes backlash or not, though, this retcon was absolutely essential.
Ahsoka season 1 clearly positioned Thrawn as the latest significant threat, and, simply put, it just wouldn’t make any sense for him to return to the main Star Wars galaxy and not cause a conflict of this scale. In fact, that choice would likely cause backlash of its own, given Thrawn is a beloved Legends character who should certainly be treated like a major adversary. Thankfully, it seems Ahsoka season 2 will be doing right by this character.
In the end, Star Wars had no other choice but to make this change, not only for the sake of Thrawn as a character, but also for the sake of the larger plot. Even in terms of the galaxy, it doesn’t really make sense for the Empire to fall and for there to have been no significant fallout or conflict from that between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, especially because not every Imperial would have been ready to abandon their cause. Although this will be a significant Star Wars retcon, Ahsoka season 2 is absolutely making the right choice.
Source: sw_holocron
Ahsoka
6/10
- Release Date
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August 22, 2023
- Network
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Disney+
