"It's interwoven": When Ahsoka stars shared insights on their new Star Wars series

In a galaxy not so far, far away—on set, in fact—Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo are going deep on what makes Ahsoka so beloved as part of the Star Wars universe. From moving casting anecdotes to revolutionary tech, the pair spoke with Entertainment Weekly about what it's like to bring favorite characters to life and working in a creative environment where everyone is nice, and that's non-negotiable.

Rosario Dawson said,

"What's been amazing, I think about Ahsoka and her journey over all of these different shows is how she's interwoven, you know, and I think that's what's also really, exciting about the Ahsoka series is that it's interwoven. The world building is so huge and the community is so big."

Here's the entire interview for your reference:

Everyone's nice here—And that's non-negotiable

When Natasha Liu Bordizzo first encountered Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the initial thing she was told wasn't about lightsabers or plotlines—it was kindness. Favreau said,

"First thing you need to know is, um, everyone we work with is nice. (0:08) Just everyone's nice. And that's just the way it is."

It's a basic ethos, but one that characterizes the Ahsoka set. This sense of cooperation and respect appears to pervade every stage of the production—and it's why Ahsoka in the Star Wars universe feels so down-to-earth, even given its cosmic scope.

A galaxy where all characters count

Dawson is amazed at how much Ahsoka is ingrained within the Star Wars galaxy. She's not only a main character—she's part of an extended fabric where every individual who appears on screen is rich and worthy. She explains,

"The world building is so huge and the community is so big. And what's so exciting, I think about Ahsoka's journey over all of these years and how you can see her being cosplayed."

She continues,

"But all of the people she interacts with also being cosplayed [...] no one's a side character ever."

She also says that observing how people don't only cosplay as Ahsoka, they outfit themselves in full cast regalia. It is evident when she says,

"So it might say Ahsoka, but it's a family."

That family dynamic in the Star Wars universe is also evident in the emotional burden each character carries. Dawson regards this as a celebration of development, especially the way audiences have seen Ahsoka grow from a feisty teenager into a wise, nuanced warrior. Dawson says,

"She's still quite mysterious at this stage and point in her life. And so that's what I think is the most exciting part about Ahsoka having her series here is that you get to better understand her in this part of her journey."

Natasha Liu Bordizzo's secretive casting journey in Star Wars

For Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who portrays Sabine Wren, the journey to Ahsoka was a surprise. She auditioned with a tape without realizing it was for Star Wars. The scenes were for a fictional project, and she suspected it could be something in the sci-fi universe.

To her surprise, she got the offer soon, with no lengthy testing. She said,

"I was suspicious. I was like, wait, I have the offer for this? And then I met Jon Favreau later and he was basically like, I get it. I'm an actor."

Revolutionary technology brings the galaxy to life in Star Wars

Both actors praised the immersive setting Ahsoka in the Star Wars universe is shot in, particularly the application of the Volume, the innovative LED soundstage technology debuted in The Mandalorian. Dawson, who had worked on Sin City with green screens in the past, was amazed at how far technology has advanced.

We came to know this when she said,

"When I was on the Mando's, we were like, oh my god, we've done this before. And it's, you know, it just, it brings to life this world in a way that doesn't feel fantasy.It feels very real. Because it is very real. We're such spoiled actors."

From practical effects to legendary puppeteers who worked on Men in Black, every element on set enhances the realism.

“Everything's there for us to look at and touch and see. And it's amazing. When I saw the volume for the first time, the set we work on, wow.”

Becoming Ahsoka in Star Wars: A morning ritual

Becoming Ahsoka in the Star Wars universe isn't really a job that can be rushed. Dawson mentioned the entire process initially took three hours, but the team has managed to cut it down to around two. Nevertheless, it's a 4:30 a.m. type of dedication.

"So we're like, oh my God, it's 4.30 a.m. this morning instead of 4.15. I think a big part of it is because you got to, if you've seen her in the animation, you know, you've gotten to grow up with her and watch her (6:15) grow up."

She continues,

"And, you know, she was a spunky spirited teenager, you know, and who's, who's really growing into her wisdom and her experiences."

For Dawson, the painstaking ritual is also a daily grounding experience, an opportunity to arrive fully present in Ahsoka's reality.

A character in Star Wars who evolves along with her fans

Ahsoka's extended trajectory—from animated series to live action—is one that allows fans to watch her grow up. Dawson appreciates that as a profoundly human journey: a journey of increased wisdom, self-doubt, aspirations, and connections.

"And I think that's actually really beautiful because I think human beings surprise themselves how emotional they can be because we can kind of get into our routines as well and forget (8:04) ourselves."

Dawson says,

"And when we see that unexpected in a character that we love and think we've known so (8:09) well, I think it reminds us that we can surprise ourselves too. Yeah."

She highlights Ahsoka's complexity as analogous to our own, particularly her emotional richness, one that lies disguised beneath the "no attachment" mantra of Jedi.