While Ahsoka has already faced different relentless evil-intended characters in the Disney Plus series, she has yet to clash with the main villain, Grand Admiral Thrawn, portrayed by Lars Mikkelsen. Those who watched Star Wars Rebels might already be familiar with the name, but some fans wonder who’s this guy and why he is so important. Also, is Grand Admiral Thrawn a Sith? Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka?
Grand Admiral Thrawn is an iconic Star Wars character that contributed to the franchise’s popularity outside the live-action movies.
Thrawn was introduced in Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy of novels, beginning with Heir to the Empire in 1991. These books were among the first to continue the Star Wars story beyond the original trilogy and significantly revitalized interest in the franchise during the early ’90s.
Thrawn’s popularity contributed to the success of the Expanded Universe (now known as Legends) and arguably helped pave the way for more expanded storytelling in the Star Wars universe. Currently, he’s the overarching villain in Ahsoka, where he has yet to make his first appearance.
Is Thrawn a Sith?
No, Grand Admiral Thrawn is not a Sith.
The blue-skinned, red-eyed Thrawn is a Chiss, a species from the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, and he is primarily a military strategist and commander in the Galactic Empire. While he serves the Empire, he does not possess any Force-sensitive abilities, nor is he a practitioner of the dark side of the Force like the Sith.
Thrawn is known for his exceptional intellect and strategic thinking, but he relies on his own skills, knowledge, and analytical abilities rather than the Force. He loves studying art to gain insights into a culture’s psychology, but it is not the same as using the Force.
Ahsoka is currently streaming on Disney Plus. New episodes air on Tuesdays.
For more Ahsoka-related content, check out the meaning of that tribute paid to Ray Stevenson in episode 1. Also, here are the viewership numbers of the Disney Plus series.