Ahsoka's Ezra Bridger Recast Explained: Who Is Eman Esfandi?

By Klein Felt Posted:
Ezra Bridger, Eman Esfandi

Ahsoka Episode 6 saw Eman Esfandi‘s proper debut as a recast of Star Wars Rebels' Ezra Bridger

It was an exciting prospect for fans to see what Rosario Dawson's titular Jedi has been up to since her cameo appearance in The Mandalorian Season 2 ahead of Ahsoka. But part of the promise of the series was getting to catch up with characters from the beloved animated Rebels series

While audiences had seen the likes of Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and Grand Admiral Thrawn in the lead-up to the series, one name that had remained shrouded in mystery was the spunky, young Jedi Ezra Bridger.

Time to Meet Eman Esfandi's Ezra Bridger

Eman Esfandi's Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka
Star Wars

Following weeks of teases - including a hologram appearance - Eman Esfandi's Ezra Bridger finally got the spotlight in Episode 6 of Lucasfilm's Ahsoka series. 

This marks the character's first proper live-action appearance in Star Wars history as Esfandi took over for Taylor Gray, who voiced the character in the animated Rebels series. 

Eman Esfandi Ahsoka Episode 6 Star Wars
Star Wars

After jetting off amidst a pack of hyperspace-faring whales, known as the Purgil, at the end of Rebels alongside the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn, Ezra was finally reunited with one of his Ghost crew members Sabine Wren, in the latest entry to Dave Filoni's Star Wars epic. 

Sabine found her former crewmate years later stranded in another galaxy altogether on the mysterious planet of Peridea during Episode 6.

Ezra Bridger Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars

Esfandi's version of the character is much older than fans last saw him (aside from the brief hologram seen earlier in the series), sporting long hair, a beard, and robes that look native to Peridea. 

Having separated from Thrawn at some point since the conclusion of Rebels, Esfandi's Ezra seems to be living on Peridea amongst the adorable nomadic turtle people known as the Noti.

Ahsoka Ezra Noti Village
Star Wars

Who Exactly Is Ahsoka's Eman Esfandi?

While fans knew Eman Esfandi's appearance in Ahsoka was eventually coming, it will be exciting for the Star Wars faithful to finally see him in all his Jedi glory. 

Esfandi has been attached to the role since September 2022, with The Hollywood Reporter being the first to report the actor had officially been cast as the live-action Ezra.

Esfandi's casting came after months of rumors of Aladdin star Mena Massoud being linked to Ezra, with the star going as far as potentially teasing his Ahsoka involvement

However, it turns out those Massoud casting rumors were mere speculation, with Esfandi ultimately getting the role. 

Ahsoka marks Esfandi's major TV debut, with his biggest credit to date being a supporting role in the Oscar-winning King Richard.

It remains unknown what the 26-year-old's future within the Star Wars franchise looks like. However, seeing as much of the Ahsoka cast will seemingly play into Dave Filoni's upcoming MandoVerse movie, the door is open for more of Esfandi's Ezra beyond the ongoing Disney+ series. 

New episodes of Ahsoka debut on Disney+ every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET until October 3.

- In This Article: Ahsoka
Release Date
August 22, 2023
Platform
Actors
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Natasha Liu Bordizzo
- About The Author: Klein Felt
Klein Felt is a Senior Editor at The Direct. Joining the website back in 2020, he helped jumpstart video game content on The Direct. Klein plays a vital role as a part of the site's content team, demonstrating expertise in all things PlayStation, Marvel, and the greater entertainment industry.