The galaxy far, far away may be preparing to welcome back one of its most iconic figures. Reports suggest that Natalie Portman is in talks to reprise her role as Padmé Amidala in the upcoming second season of Disney+’s Ahsoka. If the deal is finalized, this would mark Portman’s first live-action return to the Star Wars franchise since Revenge of the Sith in 2005.
Padmé Amidala, the regal Queen-turned-Senator of Naboo, played a pivotal role in the Star Warsprequel trilogy. Her tragic death during childbirth at the end of Revenge of the Sith not only marked the rise of Darth Vader but also left a lasting impact on the galaxy’s fate. Though Padmé has appeared in The Clone Wars animated series and Star Wars novels, she has yet to make a live-action return—unlike her co-stars Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader), who have both reappeared in recent Disney+ series.
This rumored return would be a long-awaited reunion for fans eager to see Padmé Amidala’s story revisited on screen.
While Padmé’s death is a firmly established part of Star Wars lore, there are intriguing ways her character could fit into the timeline of Ahsoka.
One possibility is the use of the World Between Worlds, a mystical dimension introduced in Star Wars Rebels and further explored in Ahsoka season 1. This realm allows for connections across time and space, making it a potential avenue for Padmé to interact with characters like Ahsoka Tano or Anakin Skywalker. In season 1, Ahsoka had an emotional encounter with a version of Anakin within this realm, and Padmé’s inclusion could further deepen the emotional resonance of these sequences.
Alternatively, Padmé could appear through more traditional flashbacks, shedding light on her relationships with Anakin, Ahsoka, or others during the Clone Wars era. Ariana Greenblatt, who portrayed a young Ahsoka in season 1, is also set to return, suggesting potential scenes from earlier timelines.
Production for Ahsoka season 2 is set to begin later this year. Alongside Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, the returning cast includes Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, and Greenblatt. Rory McCann (Game of Thrones) will take over the role of Baylan Skoll following the untimely passing of Ray Stevenson.
If the rumors about Portman are true, her return could add a layer of depth to the series, exploring Padmé’s enduring influence on the galaxy and the people she left behind.
While details remain scarce, one thing is certain: the return of Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala would be a monumental moment for Star Wars fans, tying together threads from the prequel era to the present-day Disney+ shows. Stay tuned for more updates as production gears up.