Disney Cut 1 Major ‘Ahsoka’ Actor from ‘Andor,’ Reveals Star

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Joplin Sibtain, a star from the Disney+ series Ahsoka, revealed that Disney removed him from season one of Andor. Andor concluded in May 2025 with a critically acclaimed finale that directly set the stage for the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Though the show centered on Diego Luna’s character, Cassian Andor, it featured a large cast of important characters from both the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, including Brasso, a close friend of Cassian’s.

In the first season of Andor, Brasso was presented as a working-class resident of the planet Ferrix. Actor Joplin Sibtain played the character in nine episodes over the show’s first two seasons, but Brasso’s story ended in Season 2, Episode 3. Despite delivering a fantastic performance as Brasso, Sibtain wasn’t the first actor considered for the role.

I was listening to the Star Wars Session podcast, and they dropped a fascinating tidbit! Apparently, Rory McCann – you know, the actor who stepped in as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka after the tragic loss of Ray Stevenson – was actually originally cast as Brasso in Andor. Sadly, he hurt his knee pretty early on during filming for Season 1 and had to be replaced. It’s wild to think how things can change during production!

Beginning at 13:04, Sibtain stated that Andor initially filmed some scenes with [McCann], but those were later re-filmed after McCann was injured.

Joplin Sibtain pointed out that the actor who plays Brasso also played The Hound in ‘Game of Thrones’.

Star Wars Session: “Rory McCann? You’re joking. He was just cast in the new Star Wars [Ahsoka].”

Here’s what happened: the actor was originally cast as Brasso and even filmed some scenes. He’s quite tall – six foot six, while I’m six foot three. Unfortunately, he injured his knee in a slip on some ice while on his way to work, but he still went in anyway – he’s a real trooper! He was walking with a limp, and a scan revealed he needed surgery to avoid permanent walking problems. That’s when Tony Gilroy contacted me…

Had McCann appeared in Andor, it would have significantly impacted the future of Star Wars on television. His continued role as Brasso would have likely prevented him from being chosen to take over the role of Baylan Skoll from the late Ray Stevenson in Ahsoka Season 2.

Sibtain and McCann looked so much alike that either actor could have played Brasso in Andor. Unfortunately, an injury prevented McCann from continuing with the role. However, he later appeared in Ahsoka, returning to the Star Wars universe.

In a May 2025 interview with Comicbook, McCann explained that he believes continuing Ray Stevenson’s story as Baylan in Season 2 is the correct choice, and he committed to giving it his all.

Continuing this character’s story feels like the right move, especially since we’ve successfully done similar things before. I’m hopeful the fans will enjoy it, and I’m committed to giving it my all. I’m just getting started, so I’m focusing on getting into the right headspace for the role. Honestly, it’s incredibly exciting! I have fond childhood memories of going to the original films with my dad in the late 70s and 80s, and now I’m practicing lightsaber combat – it’s a dream come true.

The series Andor, created by Tony Gilroy, tells the story of rebel spy Cassian Andor before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Filming has finished on Season 2 of Ahsoka, and it’s expected to be available on Disney+ in 2026.

Everything Aligned for Andor & Ahsoka Despite Casting Changes

Let me tell you, Joplin Sibtain absolutely killed it as Brasso in Andor. He quickly became a standout character, and I think it’s because the show did something really smart: they took an everyday guy from Ferrix, a simple worker, and organically turned him into a key player in the rebellion against the Empire. It felt so earned and impactful, and Sibtain’s performance really sold it. He wasn’t a hero from the start, he became one, and that’s what made him so compelling to watch.

The actor gave a powerfully convincing performance as Brasso, making viewers believe this ordinary person could become a key figure in the Rebellion’s triumph over the Empire. Sibtain beautifully portrayed Brasso’s courage, strength, and unwavering devotion to Andor, even though it ultimately led to the character’s heartbreaking death in Andor Season 2.

Rory McCann faced a small injury, but was still able to return to the Star Wars universe. He did so by taking on the role of Baylan Skoll in the Disney+ series Ahsoka, as a tribute to his friend, the late Ray Stevenson, with the blessing of Stevenson’s widow.

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2025-11-13 23:05