Hayden Christensen Set to Return as Anakin Skywalker for Ahsoka TV Series

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that actor Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, for the upcoming live-action Star Wars TV series, Ahsoka. Christensen joins the cast alongside star Rosario Dawson, who will be portraying the titular hero.

Disney and Lucasfilm previously confirmed that Hayden Christensen would return as Darth Vader in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi live-action TV series that’s currently in the works for Disney+. Multiple sources indicated that Christensen will be appearing as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka, a role he debuted in with Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

In the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, Ahsoka Tano was the assigned Padawan learner for Jedi Knight Anakin. During the Clone Wars, Ahsoka Tano ultimately decided to leave the Jedi Order and find her own path. She managed to escape the Jedi Purge that took place during Order 66 and eventually helped start the Rebel Alliance, as depicted in Star Wars Rebels.

Dave Filoni is currently attached as writer for the show, which is being executive produced by Jon Favreau. The upcoming show will be set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi, during a similar time period as The Mandalorian. At this point, Darth Vader has already passed, so Vader or Anakin’s role in the story in possible flashbacks or as a ghost of the Force similar to his appearance late in that film is not yet clear.

Production on Ahsoka is due to begin early next year. The show will be streamed exclusively on Disney+.