The first two episodes of Ahsoka screened at a fan event in Disney World earlier tonight, and screeners were also sent out to critics. The social media embargo has now lifted, and the first reactions have been (mostly) highly positive.
Most seem to agree that Rosario Dawson makes a welcome return as the titular Force-wielder, with strong support from Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Hera) and the late Ray Stevenson (Baylan), but it sounds like Natasha Liu Bordizzo is a major standout as Sabine Wren.
The action sequences also come in for a lot of praise, as does the stunning score by Kevin Kiner.
Some of the more negative reactions mention a slightly sluggish pace and some tonal inconsistencies, and there is a chance viewers who have not seen the Star Wars Rebels animated series might feel like they're playing catch-up to an extent.
Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
The series stars Rosario Dawson in the title role, with Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati, Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, David Tennant as Huyang, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, with Eman Esfandi appearing as Ezra Bridger.
Kevin Kiner was announced as the series' composer.
Ahoska is written by executive producer Dave Filoni, alongside executive producers Favreau, Kennedy, Wilson, and Beck. Gilchrist is co-executive producer. The series’ directors include Filoni, Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel and Rick Famuyiwa.