Claudia Black Drops Out of 'Ahsoka' Season 2 Amid Pay Dispute with Disney
The Star Wars universe has been hit by another casting shakeup, as Claudia Black, who played Klothow in the first season, has decided not to return for season two. According to sources, including Bleeding Cool and Deadline, Black had to bow out of the show due to a dispute over pay.
The 'Farscape' actress explained that Disney was unable to meet her salary requirements as a single mother, with filming taking place in London while she lives in Los Angeles. This financial hurdle proved insurmountable for Black, who expressed sadness at having to leave the show but acknowledged its benefits: "It's a very playful environment to work in... Everyone like me who grew up in the 70s and 80s has always been into the Star Wars universe."
Klothow was introduced as part of a trio known as the Great Mothers, comprised of Lakesis, Aktropaw, and other Nightsters. The group plays a significant role in the back half of season one before setting their sights on Dathomir. However, it remains to be seen whether Black's character will continue to appear on screen without her.
The show's recasting of supporting antagonist Baylan Skoll serves as an example that Disney is willing to make changes. The move comes after Ray Stevenson passed away weeks prior to the series premiere in 2023. While details surrounding Klothow's future remain unclear, one thing is certain: 'Ahsoka' season two has lost a notable cast member due to pay concerns.
The Star Wars universe has been hit by another casting shakeup, as Claudia Black, who played Klothow in the first season, has decided not to return for season two. According to sources, including Bleeding Cool and Deadline, Black had to bow out of the show due to a dispute over pay.
The 'Farscape' actress explained that Disney was unable to meet her salary requirements as a single mother, with filming taking place in London while she lives in Los Angeles. This financial hurdle proved insurmountable for Black, who expressed sadness at having to leave the show but acknowledged its benefits: "It's a very playful environment to work in... Everyone like me who grew up in the 70s and 80s has always been into the Star Wars universe."
Klothow was introduced as part of a trio known as the Great Mothers, comprised of Lakesis, Aktropaw, and other Nightsters. The group plays a significant role in the back half of season one before setting their sights on Dathomir. However, it remains to be seen whether Black's character will continue to appear on screen without her.
The show's recasting of supporting antagonist Baylan Skoll serves as an example that Disney is willing to make changes. The move comes after Ray Stevenson passed away weeks prior to the series premiere in 2023. While details surrounding Klothow's future remain unclear, one thing is certain: 'Ahsoka' season two has lost a notable cast member due to pay concerns.
I love Claudia Black as an actress and I was really looking forward to seeing more of her character in season 2... can you imagine how hard it must've been for her, being a single mom and having to navigate all that drama? i get why she had to leave though, pay is EVERYTHING when it comes to supporting yourself. 
anyway, this shows just how much the cost of living in LA vs London must be out of hand... sad to see one of the talented ladies from the original 'Farscape' crew go 
I mean, come on, a single mom can't afford the lifestyle they're trying to create in London and LA? It's not exactly breaking news that Ahsoka is all about exploring the complexities of being a hero, but this kind of disparity just highlights how out of touch the show's management can be 
. I hope they reconsider and find a way to make it work for Claudia Black... or else we might see a lot more of these kinds of departures in the future 
It's just another example of how the entertainment industry prioritizes profit over people. 
... like what's up with the rates on these shows? can't they just make it fair for everyone? and now we're gonna miss klothow in season 2... i mean, she was only supposed to be part of season one anyway, but still. it's a shame because star wars is such an amazing universe 
... and i'm all about the nostalgic vibes too 
, 70s & 80s kids unite! 
Claudia black leaving ashsoka season 2 over pay pls they gotta sort this out for the actresses 
, especially the single moms 
, it's not fair that they're having to choose between the show and their fams