Claudia Black, the actor who portrayed Nightsister Klothow in the first season of the Star Wars series Ahsoka, will not return for the show's second season after a salary negotiation breakdown with Disney. The performer stated she was left with no choice but to withdraw because the offered compensation was insufficient to support her responsibilities as a single mother.
A Transparent Decision Forced by Finances
In a frank discussion with Bleeding Cool, Black explained the difficult position she faced. She confirmed that while her role was initially picked up for the second season, the financial terms presented by Disney proved unworkable. The core issue was the location of production. The series films in London, while Black's home and primary responsibilities are in Los Angeles.
"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," Black stated. She emphasised the personal cost, adding, "They could not, sadly, support a single mom." The required salary to maintain two households during the filming period was, according to her account, something the studio "could not make happen."
Gratitude Amidst Disappointment
Despite the professional setback, Black expressed deep appreciation for her time in the Star Wars universe. She described the work environment as "very playful" and noted the significance for someone who, like many, grew up enthralled by the franchise in the 70s and 80s. The actor revealed she sent a thankful email to showrunner Dave Filoni, writing, "What a ride!"
Her young son's fandom made the experience particularly special. However, she framed her departure with a pragmatic view of the industry. "They call it 'show business' for a reason," Black remarked. "It's like 90 per cent business and 10 per cent show... I also understand market forces being what they are, and the very delicate time in the business to even be able to afford to make anything at all. We all had to do our sums and move on."
What Comes Next for Ahsoka?
The acclaimed series, which stars Rosario Dawson as the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano, premiered on Disney+ in 2023. Production for the highly anticipated second season is scheduled to commence in 2025. Black's exit means the character of Nightsister Klothow will either be recast, written out, or reimagined for the new episodes.
The Independent has reached out to Lucasfilm, the Disney-owned production company behind Star Wars, for an official comment on the situation. This incident highlights ongoing conversations about fair compensation and support for actors, particularly those with significant personal logistical challenges, within major studio productions.
