Claudia Black, the actor known for her role as the villainous Nightsister in the Star Wars series Ahsoka, has announced she will not return for the show's second season. The decision stems from a salary disagreement with Disney, which she says failed to accommodate the financial realities of being a single mother based in Los Angeles while filming in London.
The Heart of the Dispute: Balancing Career and Family
In a candid interview with Bleeding Cool, Black explained the difficult choice. She confirmed that while the series was renewed for a second season and her character was set to return, the offered compensation proved insufficient. 'Disney, which is structuring things differently these days, could not pay me what I needed to be paid as a single mother to keep all my responsibilities going at home in Los Angeles, because they were filming in London,' she stated.
The actor, who played Klothow, one of three witches awakened by Grand Admiral Thrawn, expressed her disappointment. She highlighted the stark reality of the entertainment industry, noting, 'They call it “show business” for a reason. It’s like 90% business and 10% show.' Black added that while she is saddened, she understands the 'market forces' and the 'delicate time in the business' that influence such decisions.
A Career Beyond a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Claudia Black is no stranger to iconic sci-fi roles. UK audiences may best know her as Aeryn Sun from the cult series Farscape or as Vala Mal Doran in Stargate SG-1. She has also built a formidable career as a voice actor in major video game franchises like Dragon Age and Uncharted.
Her departure from Ahsoka is particularly poignant as she shared that one of her children is a fan of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, making her role personally meaningful. Despite stepping away, Black conveyed her gratitude to series creator Dave Filoni for the opportunity, thanking him via email after making her final decision.
What's Next for Ahsoka?
Filming for the second season of the Disney+ series concluded in October 2025. If the production schedule follows a similar pattern to the first season, fans can anticipate the new episodes arriving in late summer 2026.
The first season left off with Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) successfully escaping back to the main galaxy, setting the stage for the next chapter. How the writers will address the absence of Black's Nightsister character remains to be seen.
This incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by working parents in the film and television industry, where international production schedules can create significant personal and financial strain.
