Rosario Isabel Dawson is an actress who embodies Ahsoka Tano within the live-action Disney+ television shows, specifically The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.
At the age of fifteen, Rosario Dawson began her journey into acting, solidifying her decision to pursue it professionally the following year. Her grandmother facilitated her enrollment at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, where she shared classes with Hayden Christensen, who would later portray Anakin Skywalker. Subsequently, they collaborated in the film Shattered Glass. Having enjoyed Star Wars: The Clone Wars, she shared the experience of watching it with her daughter.
In February of 2017, a Star Wars enthusiast inquired on Twitter whether Dawson would consider playing Ahsoka Tano, to which she responded affirmatively. This sparked excitement among Star Wars fans regarding the potential for Tano's live-action debut. According to Dawson, someone from Lucasfilm Ltd. brought the Tweet to the attention of Dave Filoni, the executive producer of The Mandalorian, who believed she would be well-suited for the role. Subsequently, Filoni and the official Star Wars account followed Dawson on Twitter, although no immediate action was taken. Filoni maintained awareness of Dawson's involvement in the Marvel universe and observed her expressing enthusiasm for the role in interviews. Later, Filoni informed executive producer Jon Favreau of his desire for Dawson to portray Tano. During discussions about the show, Filoni revisited Dawson's potential casting and determined that her age aligned with Tano's age in the series, leading to the decision to proceed with her casting. Filoni and Favreau opted not to include Tano in Season One. Around the time of the first season's release, Dawson received a FaceTime call from Filoni and Favreau, where they presented her with visuals and concepts from their plans for Season Two. They also showcased artwork depicting Dawson as Tano, but Dawson had to switch to audio due to connection issues. Subsequently, Filoni and Favreau extended an offer for Dawson to play Tano, which she accepted.
Following her casting as Tano for the episode Chapter 13: The Jedi, Dawson immersed herself in The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and the Star Wars saga as part of her preparation. She found enjoyment in observing the evolution of Tano's physicality and voice. Dawson studied Ashley Eckstein's animated portrayal of Tano, striving to honor it in her performance. Numerous screen tests were conducted due to the Volume's tendency to appear magenta. Dawson approached Tano as a wandering samurai and a knowledgeable knight. Filoni referenced Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings as a point of reference, all of which influenced Dawson's interpretation of the character. Dawson aimed to capture Tano's playfulness and sense of fun, including her signature cocky eyebrow. She admired Tano's wisdom and resilience in the face of adversity. Dawson appreciated the inclusion of homages to various aspects of Tano that she cherished. One of her most memorable experiences was her initial fitting of Tano's costume. Dawson was committed to portraying Tano as authentically as possible to her animated counterpart, insisting on wearing blue contacts to match the character's eye color.
The prosthetics were custom-made to fit Dawson's skull and body, with Tano's headband securing the headtails in place. The make-up artists concealed Dawson's hair to accommodate the headpiece. Initially, the entire transformation process took three hours. Dawson observed that the horns and headtails appeared shorter compared to the animated series, but Filoni assured her that it was necessary for stunt work. Dawson found the face markings, distinct skin color, and costume to be remarkable, but it wasn't until she put in the contacts that she truly felt like Tano. Dawson relished the opportunity to provide new insights into the Child and serve as a storytelling conduit for new fans. Dawson had the opportunity to meet Star Wars creator George Lucas during his visit to The Mandalorian set. Prior to the release of The Jedi, Dawson experienced anxiety regarding her performance and its reception.
Dawson portrayed Tano in "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger," the sixth installment of The Book of Boba Fett. She only discovered that her character would share scenes with Luke Skywalker on the day of filming. She expressed great excitement about collaborating with Mark Hamill, who lent his voice to Skywalker in the episode.
Dawson reprised her role as Ahsoka Tano in the Ahsoka television series. Production for Ahsoka commenced on May 9, 2022, which Dawson considered to be the ultimate birthday gift. In preparation for revisiting her role, Dawson rewatched the animated series. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue participating in the franchise as she matured. She opted for a shorter haircut, ensuring it could be easily concealed beneath her headpiece. The makeup application time had been reduced to an hour and a half, while the complete transformation took approximately two hours, commencing between 4:30 and 5:00 in the morning.
Dawson aimed to convey Tano's unwavering stamina, leading her to dedicate herself to rigorous lightsaber and combat training, as well as studying Tano's history. Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who played Sabine Wren, underwent wushu training under the guidance of stunt coordinator Ming Qiu. Dawson provided Qiu with freeze frames and clips from the animated series, requesting training to execute Tano's stunts. Qiu acknowledged the impossibility of certain stunts but offered alternative options. Dawson described playing Tano in the show as the most physically demanding role of her career. She sought to portray Tano's internal struggle with balancing her humanity, experiences, and desires.
During Lucasfilm's Studio Showcase at Celebration Anaheim, Dawson was unable to attend due to filming Ahsoka, prompting Filoni and Favreau to present a video message from her in full costume from the show's set. Shortly after Ahsoka completed its third week of filming, Dawson participated in the Mando+ panel, where she introduced the droid Chopper and shared a clip of herself in costume, along with glimpses of Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren. It was then announced that Bordizzo would portray Wren in the show. Dawson has affirmed her commitment to the character until her story reaches its conclusion.