Star Wars Rebels introduced a plethora of new Mandalorian faces to the galaxy far, far away. Similarly, thanks to The Mandalorian on Disney+, Mandalore is becoming increasingly important to the future of the Star Wars franchise. It has taken a deeper dive into the warrior culture that originated on the planet, and Season 3 saw many Mandalorians returning to their old home world. However, a few important figures are missing from their reassembled ranks, and Ahsoka can explain why.
Ahsoka will welcome back the most prominent Mandalorian character from Star Wars Rebels, Sabine Wren. The series will mark Sabine's first outing in live action, with Natasha Liu Bordizzo taking over the role from Tiya Sircar, who voiced the character in animation. Over the course of Rebels, Sabine played an instrumental role in securing the support of the Mandalorians for the Rebellion, inspiring her people to take up arms against the Empire. Through her, characters such as Fenn Rau and the rest of Clan Wren were introduced. But where are they now?
Why Are Fenn Rau and Clan Wren Important to Mandalore?
Fenn Rau, who first appeared in the Star Wars Rebels Season 2 episode "The Protector of Concord Dawn," was one of the Mandalorian Protectors -- an elite warrior force charged with protecting the rulers of Mandalore and maintaining balance in Mandalore's warrior culture. When Gar Saxon, the Imperial Viceroy of Mandalore, turned on the Protectors in an attempt to lure Rau out of hiding, Rau became the group's last survivor. Although he had initially served the Empire and opposed the Rebels, Rau later became a valuable ally to the Rebellion.
Clan Wren were the noble Mandalorian clan from which Sabine hailed. They were led by Sabine's mother, Ursa Wren, and among their ranks was Sabine's brother, Tristan. Clan Wren had aligned themselves with the Empire after Sabine left Mandalore, as opposing Imperial rule would have likely resulted in their destruction. However, when Sabine returned and defeated Gar Saxon in combat, Ursa sided with her daughter and killed Saxon before he could shoot Sabine in the back. Clan Wren and Fenn Rau were last seen in Star Wars Rebels pledging allegiance to Bo-Katan Kryze as she assumed leadership of Mandalore, prior to the Empire's purge of the planet.
Could Fenn Rau and Clan Wren Return to Mandalore?
Three groups of Mandalorians were seen reuniting on their home planet in The Mandalorian: Bo-Katan's fleet of Mandalorians who had lived on the planet prior to the Purge, the Children of the Watch, and the survivors of the Purge who had continued living on the planet's devastated surface. Some fans had expected to see the like of Fenn Rau or the Wrens appear in Season 3 of The Mandalorian, but there was ultimately no sign of them. This has left their fates ambiguous, with it being possible they were killed in the Purge. However, with Sabine returning to Star Wars on Ahsoka, the fate of her family, as well as her old friend and mentor, Fenn Rau, could be cleared up.
It is unlikely that Ahsoka will feature another return to Mandalore -- the series is set to focus on Ahsoka Tano's hunt for Grand Admiral Thrawn, as well as her conflict with fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati -- but Sabine may need to catch up her old Jedi friend on what she's missed. Through Sabine, an explanation could be given for what became of her family and Fenn Rau after the Purge of Mandalore. If they are still alive, then future seasons of The Mandalorian or even Dave Filoni's upcoming Star Wars movie may see them join their people back on Mandalore.
Ahsoka debuts August 23, on Disney+.