Rosario Dawson Reveals Ashley Eckstein Visited Set Of 'Star Wars' Series 'Ahsoka'

Voice actress Ashley Eckstein originated the role of Ahsoka Tano before she was brought to life in live-action by actress Rosario Dawson.

Ahsoka Tano served as the apprentice to Anakin Skywalker in the animated series "The Clone Wars" and later put her Force training and lightsaber skills to good use in the animated series "Star Wars: Rebels."

However, when it came time for the character to make her jump into live-action, Rosario Dawson was cast in the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" and reprised the role again for a brief appearance in "The Book of Boba Fett."

Although Dawson will continue playing the character for Ahsoka's very own Disney+ series, she revealed that Ashley Eckstein did visit the set of "Ahsoka" to see how the journey of her character was playing out on the small screen.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on their Dagobah Dispatch podcast, Rosario Dawson had nothing but praise for Ashley Eckstein and the work that she did with the character for not one, but two animated series.

"You have this volume and work and performance to go back to and these memories and reflections and The Clone Wars and Rebels with the work that Ashley did," Dawson explained. "We got to watch her grow and develop, and see the heart and the energy and the passion and the love that Ashley has brought to this character."

She also pointed out that Ahsoka's popularity is a result of Ashley Eckstein engaging with fans on social media. Some fans even created "Tano Tuesday," in which they share fan art or costumes related to the character. Occasionally, Eckstein will retweet, share, or comment on fans' posts, further contributing to Ahsoka's popularity.

"Any single time there's a Tano Tuesday or any of these different things, she just goes off and she's just got this history and this connection with the fans for so long," Dawson added.

Although many fans are probably wondering why Ashley Eckstein visited that set of "Ahsoka," Rosario Dawson was quick to explain that the voice actress was just there as an observer, but fans are still hoping that she might still have some hidden cameo role to look out for.

Regardless, Dawson said that it was "remarkable" to have her on set," noting, "We were beside ourselves." She compared the look on Eckstein's face to the look on "Ahsoka" and "Rebels" creator Dave Filoni.

"And she came in and you could just see it in her eyes. It's very similar to the look in Dave's eyes. These are people who have been working in dark rooms with microphones and these animated characters for so long," Dawson explained. "And to see it now three-dimensionally is pretty wild. And to have her energy there and her blessing on this show is everything, because she's so much a part of this show."

Dawson revealed that she goes back and "religiously" watches old animated episodes of "Star Wars" in order to help inform her performance in "Ahsoka," and it doesn't seem like she is the only cast member who is doing so!

"We literally religiously watch these episodes over and over again as homework, which is like the easiest and the best homework in the world," she said, explaining that "the inflection of the voice and the heart and the love and just the commitment over so many years — I mean, she's a true believer. And I think that heart just lives on in this story."

"To have Dave and her guiding it to this next thing is really quite beautiful," she continued. "And it's nice to see the fans appreciate that as well, because we've all been on this journey together for a long time, and now it's exciting to see where it goes next."

"Ahsoka" will premiere on August 2023 on Disney+.

Seasons 1-3 of "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett" are available to stream now.