Why Mon Mothma is in Ahsoka

Mon Mothma is returning to live-action Star Wars in the upcoming Ahsoka series. Mothma was first introduced in a single scene in Return of the Jedi. Despite her brief appearance, Mothma has been gradually fleshed out over the years as a senator during the prequel era, as a founder and leader of the Rebel Alliance, and returning to her political roots after the Galactic Civil War.

Even with many appearances and mentions throughout various Star Wars media since Return of the Jedi‘s release in 1983, it wasn’t until Andor season 1 that Mothma’s character was explored in-depth in an onscreen story.

The Ahsoka trailers show Hera Syndulla speaking to a hologram of Mothma. It is intriguing to see Mothma several years after the Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire, especially since when Andor season 1 ended, she was still in the early stages of rebellion against the Empire. Those who only watch the movies and live-action shows may even be confused by her appearance in Ahsoka.

The reason Mothma is in Ahsoka is that she is the Chancellor of the New Republic. Not long after the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance helped establish the New Republic, and Mothma was elected as chancellor.

Given the threat of the resurging Empire and the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Hera seems to be reaching out to Chancellor Mothma and other New Republic senators. Their power and influence could go a long way in stopping Thrawn and the Empire from making a triumphant return.

In the official Ahsoka trailer, Hera tells Mothma and the senators, “I’ve spent most of my life fighting a war. That’s why I’m trying to convince you to help me prevent another one.” This is a sentiment Mothma can definitely relate to, as she served as a Republic senator during the Clone Wars and used her position to build and lead the Rebel Alliance before and during the Galactic Civil War.

Mothma can relate to Hera’s sentiment and looks sympathetic, but she still may be unable to help. Mothma and the New Republic leadership infamously demilitarized much of the New Republic’s defense forces, a decision that later contributed to the rise of the First Order.

In addition to the demilitarization, Mothma got rid of the chancellor’s emergency powers, given the history of how Chancellor Palpatine abused the emergency powers to begin the Clone Wars and stay in office longer than he should have, both of which led to the creation of the Empire. Between the New Republic’s demilitarization and lack of emergency powers, Mothma may have her hands legally tied from taking any kind of swift action against Thrawn and his forces, leaving it up to Hera, Ahsoka Tano, Sabine Wren, and their allies to save the galaxy.

With Andor season 2 not released until 2024, and possibly even later due to production halting amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, it is intriguing to see Mothma returning in a completely different series at a completely different point in the timeline and in a story where she likely will not be portrayed as favorably.

Outside of this one scene where she appears as a hologram, Mothma may not even have any other scenes in Ahsoka, but it makes sense for her to appear as the face of New Republic leadership at this point in the timeline.

Ahsoka begins with a two-episode premiere on August 22, only on Disney+.