Following the passing of Star Wars actor Ray Stevenson earlier this year, the first episode of Ahsoka paid tribute to him, leaving many in tears.
It was announced in May that the Punisher and Thor star has died at the age of 58, with no cause of death given.
Fans and friends of the late actor have been grieving his death ever since, with the first episode of Ahsoka on Disney Plus, starring Rosario Dawson, devoted to his memory.
Ray appears in the series posthumously as Baylan Skoll, a former Jedi who has gone to the evil side of the Force.
The actor’s performance has already gotten wonderful reviews, and fans were moved to tears when they saw a memorial to him before the credits of episode one, which read: ‘For our buddy, Ray.’
“For our friend, Ray.” Aww I love that they put his name at the end of episode 1. Rest in peace Ray Stevenson. Still can’t believe he’s gone 😢🙏🏽,’ one person tweeted after watching the first instalment.
‘RIP Ray Stevenson though. Glad he got a shout out,’ another tweeted.
Someone more praised Baylan’s commanding entry in Ahsoka, mentioning Ray’s past Star Wars credentials as the voice of Gar Saxon in the animated episodes Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
‘To the late, great, Ray Stevenson. I’m so mad that it took this long to see you wield a lightsaber, but so happy that we got you for the brief time we did!’ they said.
"For our friend, Ray." 😢😢
Rest in peace Ray Stevenson.#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/byraqKiTqB
— Matt 🇳🇴 (@thcfastestman) August 23, 2023
RIP Ray Stevenson though. Glad he got a shout out. #Ahsoka
— L (@itslastcall) August 23, 2023
“For Our Friend, Ray”
RIP Ray Stevenson ❤️#Ahsoka— Michael Williams (@SinLibra23) August 23, 2023
God damn Ray Stevenson was magnificent 😭
— x – Gold Team Bad ⚔️ (@pr1me21time) August 23, 2023
One viewer said that watching Ray on screen in Ahsoka left them ‘teary eyed’, while another described him as ‘magnificent’.
‘The late great Ray Stevenson. So sad. But what a role to go out on!’ another wrote.
Ahead of the release of Ahsoka, Rosario paid tribute to Ray, describing him in an interview as ‘gentle’ and ‘brilliant’.
‘You just had the most extraordinary conversations with him about his family and philosophies,’ she told People.
‘I’ve had so many people who I know are friends with him. We were so blessed to have him working with us. He made all of us better.’
When Ray’s death was originally reported, Rosario, 44, claimed she was ‘lost for words’ in an Instagram post.
‘Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart,’ she wrote at the time.
Ahsoka is available to watch on Disney Plus with new episodes released on Wednesdays.
