Ahsoka and the Star Wars Timeline Connection Explained

The Disney+ series Ahsoka has Star Wars fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the journey of former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano. With Rosario Dawson reprising her role from The Mandalorian, the show will pick up Ahsoka’s story after the Return of the Jedi events. Here is an in-depth look at where the Ahsoka series falls on the Star Wars timeline.

Lucasfilm has indicated that the Ahsoka series will take place around five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and the Battle of Endor, which saw the deaths of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. This places the show around 9-12 ABY on the Star Wars timeline.

In the post-Endor period, the New Republic rose to power but struggled to establish a new galactic government. Meanwhile, Imperial warlords still control much of the Outer Rim as they seek to regain dominance. The chaotic state of the galaxy provides plenty of opportunities for Ahsoka’s adventures as she navigates this lawless frontier.

1. How Long After Star Wars Rebels Is Ahsoka Set?

According to Dave Filoni, the Ahsoka series is intended as essentially a fifth season of Star Wars Rebels, a show that concluded shortly before the Battle of Yavin.

Interestingly, the first episode of Ahsoka carefully avoids confirming the exact timeline placement concerning the Rebels finale.’ Governor Azadi could be expected to mention it in his Lothal speech, but he does not.

However, it is confirmed to occur 9-12 years after Return of the Jedi, meaning there has been ample time for significant character developments, most notably for Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren.

Fans are hopeful that future episodes will provide more clarity on where Ahsoka fits concerning the finale of Rebels.

Rosario Dawson and David Tennant in Ahsoka (2023) | Source: IMDb

2. The Search for Ezra

A driving force in the Ahsoka series will likely be her search for Ezra Bridger, who disappeared along with Grand Admiral Thrawn at the end of Star Wars Rebels. That show’s epilogue jumped to 9 ABY, showing Sabine Wren setting out with Ahsoka to find Ezra. Their quest seems poised to be an essential plot thread when Ahsoka premieres.

Fans are eager to see Ahsoka and Sabine team up, using clues and Jedi artifacts to track Ezra’s location in the Unknown Regions. This search could also lead them to meet the menacing Thrawn, who has become a significant villain in Star Wars lore.

3. What are the New Characters appearing in Ahsoka?

While existing characters like Sabine Wren may appear, the Ahsoka series also introduces several new players. Confirmed cast members include Hayden Christensen, returning as Anakin Skywalker, presumably in flashback scenes with Ahsoka. Natasha Liu Bordizzo has also been cast as a character named Mika Grey.

Other new characters include an unknown Imperial Inquisitor played by Sung Kang, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson, and Ivanna Sakhno in currently unrevealed roles. The threat of the Inquisitors still hunting Jedi will play a part in the show.

Rosario Dawson in Ahsoka (2023) | Source: IMDb

4. The Mandalorian Connection Explained

The Ahsoka series stems directly from her live-action debut in The Mandalorian, where she took over training Grogu. Her new role as a mentor could be depicted in the show as she lays the foundations for a new Jedi Order now that the Empire has fallen.

With The Mandalorian taking place in the same timeframe, there is room for crossover events or references between the two shows. Critical characters like Din Djarin, Grogu, Bo-Katan, and even Luke Skywalker moving in the background of this era could have links back to Ahsoka’s journey.

5. A Larger World

While focused on Ahsoka, the show can also expand other corners of the Star Wars galaxy in the post-Endor period. Much like The Mandalorian opened up new planets and cultures, Ahsoka has an opportunity to explore the state of the Outer Rim, the chaos within the Imperial remnant, and how the New Republic evolves.

Introducing new planets, organizations, and factions would provide richer world-building in a relatively uncharted era for Star Wars. Cameos from fan favorites like Wedge Antilles or Lando Calrissian could show how Rebel heroes transition to peacetime after their victory over the Empire.

6. What is the Future of Star Wars?

As one of the earliest shows after Return of the Jedi, the Ahsoka series will help set the stage for the future of Star Wars storytelling on Disney+.

With Ahsoka serving as a bridge between the rebellion era and the rise of the New Republic, her series will allow fans to experience the Star Wars universe from a new perspective. The show can tell an exciting story while also expanding the lore of this iconic franchise.

As Ahsoka journeys beyond the age of the Empire, the series brings fresh promise for the next generation of Jedi and heroes guiding the galaxy far, far away.

Watch Star Wars: Ahsoka on:

7. About Star Wars: Ahsoka

Ahsoka is a Star Wars show on Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the show sees Rosario Dawson returning as Ahsoka Tano.

The series follows Anakin’s former Padawan Ahsoka Tano as she hunts the Chiss dictator Grand Admiral Thrawn, who plans to take over the galaxy.

The cast includes Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Eman Esfandi,  Ray Stevenson, and Ivanna Sakhno. 

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