The Challenges of Playing Bo-Katan Kryze
Actor Katee Sackhoff is well-known for her iconic roles in science fiction, such as Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica and Bo-Katan Kryze from The Mandalorian. However, it was her role in The Mandalorian that had a profound impact on her career. Sackhoff revealed that the experience left her feeling broken, leading to a three-year break from acting.
She portrayed Bo-Katan Kryze, a character who first appeared in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Her role in The Mandalorian, which ran from 2020 to 2023, marked the first time the character was seen in live-action. As the leader of Mandalore during the Night of a Thousand Tears, Bo-Katan’s story is complex and deeply rooted in the Star Wars universe.
Sackhoff shared her struggles with the character, explaining that she found it difficult to connect with Bo-Katan. “I lost all of my confidence after Mandalorian. All of it,” she said on her podcast The Sackhoff Show. She noted that while she had previously voiced the character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, the live-action role presented new challenges.
“I’ve always played two steps removed from myself, in a sense. I always felt grounded in some part of my belly, of who I was. Bo-Katan is nowhere near who I am as a human being. Her life, what she wants - I didn’t understand her. As much as I understood her, I never felt her in my stomach. I never identified with her. I didn’t know how to find her,” she explained.
This disconnect led to a deep sense of self-doubt. Sackhoff admitted that the experience broke her, causing her to question her abilities as an actor. “I started doubting everything about myself. I’m not a strong auditioner on tape, and I was having to put myself on tape. I wasn’t booking anything. And for three years, I basically didn’t work, and it just destroyed my confidence,” she said.
To regain her footing, Sackhoff sought the help of a new acting coach and manager. Her coach told her, “‘My goal is not to teach you how to act. You know how to act. I just need to get you back in your belly. You just need to find your confidence again.’ That’s it.” This guidance helped her begin the journey of rebuilding her confidence.
Moving Forward in Her Career
After her time on The Mandalorian, Sackhoff has taken on a few roles, including an episode of Law & Order and a part in the action-comedy film Fight or Flight. She has also focused more on voice roles, reprising her role as Bo-Katan in a 2024 episode of Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.
Sackhoff will soon appear in the Amazon MGM series adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie, directed by Mike Flanagan. She is playing an undisclosed role in the series, having previously worked with Flanagan on Oculus (2013). “I trust Mike. I’ve relinquished control and I trust Mike, ‘cause I’ve worked with him before, and I know he’s amazing. I don’t know if I trust myself yet,” she admitted.
In June 2025, Summer Howell was cast in the titular role of Carrie, with other stars including Matthew Lillard, Heather Graham, Amber Midthunder, Alison Thornton, Michael Trucco, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Crystal Balint, and Danielle Klaudt joining the cast. The series is set for a 2026 release.
Meanwhile, The Mandalorian continues to be available for streaming on Disney+. For Sackhoff, the journey of overcoming her doubts and finding her confidence has been a crucial step in her career, paving the way for future projects and opportunities.
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