Star Wars Celebration Day 1: TV Presentation

Fans got a look at a new trailer for 'Ahsoka' that is now online, while other series including ‘The Acolyte’ showed up with audience-only footage.

Fans got a look at a new trailer for 'Ahsoka' that is now online, while other series including ‘Skeleton Crew’ showed up with audience-only footage.

While a big panel at today’s Star Wars Celebration in London was given over to the movies that the Lucasfilm team has in the works, there was plenty of attention for the ever-expanding TV portrayal of the various Jedis, bounty hunters and more.

With Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni overseeing the ‘Mandalorian’ expanded small screen universe, the company has naturally used the success of that first show to build out others, some created by the main duo, some by different creative teams.

There were new details and looks at a variety of shows, so here’s what was talked about…

Rosario Dawson is Ahsoka Tano in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’

In production before any of the other series spotlighted today, the series following the further adventures of the Togruta from the planet Shili, a Padawan turned Jedi known as Ahsoka Tano had the most to show off, including a trailer that is now online.

Ahsoka, created 20 years ago by Dave Filoni and George Lucas for the theatrical launch of animated movie ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, arrived in live-action form (played by Rosario Dawson) on ‘The Mandalorian’ and later popped up on ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.

Led by Filoni behind the scenes, the series follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy –– specifically Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain created by Timothy Zahn for his novel series. He’s already in screen canon thanks to appearances on Filoni’s animated series ‘Star Wars Rebels’ and will now be live-action, though his casting as yet to be announced.

Scene from Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

Senator Mawood (Maurice Irvin), Senator Rodrigo (Jacqueline Antaramian), Chancellor Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly), Senator Xiono (Nelson Lee) and Gran Senator (Erica Duke) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

(L to R) Senator Mawood (Maurice Irvin), Senator Rodrigo (Jacqueline Antaramian), Chancellor Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly), Senator Xiono (Nelson Lee) and Gran Senator (Erica Duke) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

Also making the leap from ‘Rebels’ (since Ashoka also appeared on that show) are Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and cranky droid Chopper, with the promise of others. It’s worth noting that another Rebels regular, Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios showed up in one scene of last week’s ‘The Mandalorian’.

“It was natural he would make the transition to live action,” Kathleen Kennedy said of Filoni on stage. “He has done a spectacular job.” Favreau concurred: “He cares deeply. He poured his heart and soul into it. Dave is unique in that he doesn’t ever squash your inspiration or idea but finds a way to fit it in, to keep it in the tradition that George Lucas started.” Dawson, for her part, said she had “so many pinch me moments” making the show. “Because if this does well, maybe we’ll get a second season. It’s up to y’all!” she told the 4,500-strong crowd.

The trailer is stacked with action, primarily Ahsoka showing off her trademark double lightsaber skills, plus plenty of starships dogfighting.

‘Ahsoka’ will launch on Disney+ this August.

Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) in Lucasfilm's 'Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+.

'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'

Further out is ‘Skeleton Crew’, which was created and is run by recent ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy filmmaker Jon Watts alongside ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ collaborator Christopher Ford.

The pair have come up with a series set around the same time as ‘The Mandalorian’, which follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home — and meeting unlikely allies and enemies — will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

Jude Law stars alongside younger actors Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kyriana Kratter and Robert Timothy Smith and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. There’s no word yet on when the show will land on Disney+.

'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.

‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’

‘The Acolyte’ promises to take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes but discovers the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated.

The show stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Carrie-Anne Moss, Margarita Levieva and ‘Star Wars’ Wookiee veteran Joonas Suotamo, who plays another of the race, a Jedi named Kelnacca.

Series creator Leslye Headland wowed the crowd with a sneak peek at the upcoming show. Headland arrived on stage, escorted by Kelnacca, and previewed footage from the mystery-thriller series alongside several of the stars.

With production underway now, the series won’t hit Disney+ until next year, but that still is likely to be ahead of the new run of another big series set in the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy…

Lucasfilm's 'The Acolyte.'

'Star Wars: Andor'

There was also word from Team 'Andor,' with showrunner Tony Gilroy joined by stars Diego Luna, Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly, Andy Serkis, Muhannad Bahair and Joplin Sibtain to talk about the successful first season and preview footage from the second and final run of 12 episodes, which have yet to schedule a release date on Disney+.

Oh, and for fans of the show that started it all, there was naturally a ‘Mandalorian’ treat, as the next episode of the series was shown on the big screen for fans.

There is a lot to look forward to on the TV front, and, unlike the big movie announcements, we can be reasonably assured they will all hit screens. Stay tuned for more from the event as it unfolds.