The following contains spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 1, “Chapter 1: Master and Apprentice,” streaming now on Disney+.
Ahsoka‘s first episode, “Chapter 1: Master and Apprentice,” just confirmed Morgan Elsbeth’s (Diana Lee Inosanto) connection to one of the Star Wars universe’s most ancient religious orders, the Nightsisters.
Elsbeth identifies herself as a descendant of the Nightsisters (also known as the Witches of Dathomir) during a conversation with Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno). However, the former Magistrate stops short of declaring herself an actual Nightsister during the scene. This leaves it unclear for now whether she possesses the same Force-fuelled magical powers as an actual member of the order.
The revelation that Elsbeth has ties to the Nightsisters comes after Ahsoka star Diana Lee Inosanto hinted that fans would learn more about her character’s backstory in the Disney+ series. According to Inosanto, Ahsoka‘s eight-episode run will “expand” on Elsbeth’s previously established background, divulging details about Elsbeth that showrunner Dave Filoni mapped out prior to her first appearance in The Mandalorian Season 2. Inosanto also unpacked Elsbeth’s characterization in Ahsoka, describing the villain as “quite the manipulator” but also “truly dedicated and loyal to Grand Admiral Thrawn.”
Did Ahsoka’s Nightsisters Call Out Surface Online Early?
Elsbeth’s connection to the Nightsisters is especially noteworthy because sources close to Ahsoka previously claimed the Witches of Dathomir would feature in the show. That said, these sources apparently got their wires crossed regarding which of Ahsoka‘s stable of characters would be affiliated with the Nightsisters, as they identified Shin Hati as a member of the order, not Elsbeth. There’s currently no indication that Shin is part of the sinister dark side cult, although this could change over the course of Ahsoka‘s six yet-to-be-aired episodes.
Regardless of who is (or isn’t) a Nightsister in Ahsoka, fans familiar with the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars will no doubt appreciate seeing the order name-checked in a live-action production. Even so, Ahsoka‘s cast and crew have been at pains to assure more casual viewers that they don’t need to watch Clone Wars or follow-up series Star Wars Rebels before diving into Ahsoka.
“Dave [Filoni] has done a really brilliant job, and knowing the universe so inside and out — and having created so many of the characters and spaces within that universe — he just knows where to start,” star Rosario Dawson recently said of Ahsoka‘s accessibility. “He knows what needs to be alluded to, and he is just really brilliant at figuring out how to make it for both [casual and hardcore fans].”
New episodes of Ahsoka debut on Disney+ Tuesdays.
Source: Disney+