‘Ahsoka’ Premiere Includes Heartbreaking Tribute to Ray Stevenson: “Our Friend, Ray”

The premiere episode of Ahsoka, now streaming on Disney+, is a thrilling adventure in the grand tradition of George Lucas’ original Star Wars. The debut episode, titled “Masters and Apprentices,” is filled with moments that will make you gasp and laugh — and then it concludes with a dedication that just might make you cry. It reads:

“For our friend, Ray”

Ahsoka’s premiere episode is dedicated to the memory of actor Ray Stevenson, whose dark Jedi Baylan Skoll wrought all sorts of havoc in the premiere episode. Skoll looks poised to be a major antagonist in Ahsoka, as does his cutthroat apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). Unfortunately, Stevenson didn’t live to see his live-action Star Wars debut.

Stevenson passed away unexpectedly earlier this year on May 21 at the age of 58. While his cause of death remains unknown, sources indicated that he was rushed to the hospital from the set of an action movie that he was filming on an island in Italy.

The Ahsoka cast responded to Stevenson’s passing with tributes. Dawson posted a memorial on Instagram, writing, “A giant of a man… Ray Stevenson, stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world. At a loss for words… just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever-ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart.” Stevenson is survived by a partner and three children.

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Prior to his passing, Stevenson’s onscreen apprentice Ivanna Sakhno told EW that the actor had come up with a song that he’d sing on set: “Ray would constantly make noises. I remember the first scene that we were filming, you came up with a song for Shin. I can’t say too much of the scene itself, but Ray would just constantly walk around like, ‘Who let the Shin out? Who, who, who…?'”

Ahsoka was not Stevenson’s first foray into the Star Wars galaxy. He’d previously worked with Ahsoka showrunner Dave Filoni on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where Stevenson voiced the Mandalorian warrior Gar Saxon.

In an official statement from Star Wars, Filoni said, “We have lost a great talent and friend in Ray Stevenson. His kindness and generosity were felt by our entire team on Ahsoka. I always looked forward to working with Ray, and I appreciated his insight and daily wisdom. I am glad that his memory will live on through his family, friends, and the many characters he created. Thank you Ray, for everything.”

New episodes of Ahsoka premiere on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET onDisney+.