One of the quieter casting additions to Ahsoka Season 2 may be hiding something much bigger. Tommie Earl Jenkins has a recurring part in the upcoming Disney+ season, but Lucasfilm has kept his character’s identity under wraps. One Star Wars theorist now believes the actor could be the franchise’s new, younger Lando Calrissian.
How Jenkins Got on Fans’ Radar
Jenkins’ casting came to light in April, when his professional résumé on Actors Access (via Star Wars News Net) listed a recurring role in the series. That credit suggests an arc across several episodes rather than a brief cameo. He is understood to have shot his scenes during production.
Building the Case for Lando
Fan account Morai the Messenger (@moraimessenger) set out the theory in a post on X, based on several observations from the Season 2 shoot. Jenkins was mostly seen with the cast and crew working on the known-galaxy side of the story, not those connected to Peridea.
The actor reportedly spent a lot of time with Esfandi, who plays Ezra Bridger, and the two appear to share multiple scenes. That matters because Lando already has history with Ezra and the Ghost crew from Star Wars Rebels.
Morai called the smooth-talking smuggler an ideal link between the Ghost crew and the original trilogy cast. As a former Rebel general and war hero, Lando could also help explore the aftermath of the Galactic Civil War without relying on nostalgia. The account added that Jenkins might channel the version of the character Billy Dee Williams played in the early 1980s.
A scene with Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who plays Sabine Wren, reportedly left the actress in tears. Morai wondered whether a brand-new character could carry that emotional weight in a season already managing so many established storylines.
None of these details prove anything, and Lucasfilm has not identified Jenkins’ character. Still, the theory is a tempting one.
Where Ahsoka Season 1 Left Things
The theory makes more sense in light of how the first season ended. Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren are stranded on Peridea, while Ezra has returned to the known galaxy. Grand Admiral Thrawn also escaped Peridea and is back as a major threat to a New Republic that mostly brushed off warnings about him. With the heroes divided, a familiar ally on Ezra’s side of the galaxy could make a real difference.
Why This Season Matters So Much
Lucasfilm confirmed at D23 in August that Ahsoka returns to Disney+ on January 20, 2027, and showed the season’s first teaser trailer alongside the announcement. More than three years will have passed since Season 1 ended in October 2023, one of the longest gaps between seasons for any live-action Star Wars series.
That wait reflects a bigger change across the Mando-Verse, the interconnected run of Disney+ series that began with The Mandalorian in 2019. With Ahsoka moved to 2027, 2026 became the first year since 2019 without a live-action Star Wars show. The franchise focused on theaters instead, releasing The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) in May.
There were changes behind the scenes too. Following Kathleen Kennedy’s departure, Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni became co-President of Lucasfilm alongside Lynwen Brennan. Ahsoka is the live-action series most closely tied to Filoni’s animated work, so it is expected to continue storylines from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. That makes Season 2 an important early test of the studio’s new direction.
Who’s Back for Season 2
Rosario Dawson returns as Ahsoka Tano. She is joined by Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, and Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn. Hayden Christensen returns as Anakin Skywalker, David Tennant as Huyang, and Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati. Rory McCann steps into the role of Baylan Skoll following the death of Ray Stevenson, who originated the character in Season 1.
A live-action Lando would connect the Ghost crew directly to the original trilogy, but until Lucasfilm says otherwise, the theory remains speculation. Fans who want to catch up can stream Ahsoka Season 1 and Star Wars Rebels, including Lando’s encounters with Ezra, on Disney+ before the January premiere.
Who are you most excited to see in Ahsoka Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!
