Ahsoka: Diana Lee Inosanto promises fascinating backstory for Morgan Elsbeth

Diana Lee Inosanto who plays the Magistrate, Morgan Elsbeth in The Mandalorian Chapter 13, “The Jedi”, will have plenty more to do with her character in Ahsoka. Inosanto talked to Entertainment Weekly about Morgan Elsbeth, her backstory, and what we can expect from her character in the Ahsoka series, premiering this August. The actress discussed how excited and how surprised she was to find out that her character had a name. According to Inosanto, this key detail about the Magistrate was only revealed to her when she watched Chapter 13. “Listen, I didn’t even know my name was Morgan Elsbeth until the night it aired. Seriously!”

Morgan Elsbeth’s backstory, or as much of it as Ahsoka revealed to Din Djarin in Season 2, shed light on how her people were massacred in the Clone Wars, and this led her on a mission to take revenge. She’s thriving on anger. The episode began with the Magistrate asking Din Djarin to kill a Jedi who had become an issue for her, that Jedi was of course, Ahsoka. In exchange, she promised the beskar spear as a reward.

The episode ended in a duel between Elsbeth and Ahsoka, which Ahsoka won. Ahsoka questioned Elsbeth on the whereabouts of her Master, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and that’s how the character’s overall importance was revealed to the audiences. Now, her backstory will be expanded upon in even greater detail, something that has Inosanto feeling pretty excited. While discussing her role in Ahsoka, she said:

"“When I found out that they were going expand her character, I was just over the moon about this,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe how the planets and the stars aligned. And to be able to work with such a magnificent cast and to grow as an actress and feel that energy, it’s a dream come true.”"

Inosanto praised Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau as “trailblazers” in their field, and expressed her delight at working with them, as well as with Rosario Dawson. She happened to film the duel with Rosario while the maker, George Lucas, was present on set.

"“It was such an honor. You have the most creative minds that were there that day, including Jon and Dave, and it was just amazing. And then to do this beautiful combative dance with Rosario, I mean, what a beautiful moment and what a way to bond with her.”"

As for her own character, Inosanto says that Morgan Elsbeth is “a manipulator” and “cold-hearted”, but “dedicated and loyal to Grand Admiral Thrawn.” Ahsoka is undoubtedly the most anticipated series of the second half of the year not only for Star Wars fans, but for Disney+ as a whole.

Ahsoka premieres this August on Disney+.