Katee Sackhoff, known for bringing the fierce Mandalorian warrior Bo-Katan Kryze to life in The Mandalorian, has shared a deeply personal account of how the role challenged her confidence and sense of self as an actress. Bo-Katan, a character originating in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and later transitioning to live-action in The Mandalorian, is a complex figure—a battle-hardened leader with a storied history in the Star Wars universe. While Sackhoff’s portrayal was celebrated for its authenticity and depth, the actress revealed on her podcast, The Sackhoff Show, that embodying Bo-Katan pushed her to the brink of self-doubt, marking one of the most difficult periods of her career.
Sackhoff’s struggle stemmed from the stark contrast between her usual acting approach and the demands of playing Bo-Katan. Known for roles that felt instinctively close to her own personality, Sackhoff found herself grappling with a character whose motivations and worldview felt entirely foreign. She explained:
I lost all of my confidence after Mandalorian …My style of acting has always just been your first instinct is the right instinct. Do that. Play the reality of the situation. And I’ve never really played a character. Do you know what I mean? I’ve always played 2 steps removed from myself, in a sense. It 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. It broke me. It just broke me where 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.
This disconnect with Bo-Katan’s character led to a profound crisis of confidence for Sackhoff. Her typical method of acting—relying on instinct and grounding her performances in a personal connection—didn’t translate to the stoic, determined warrior. The role required her to step far outside her comfort zone, and the inability to “feel” Bo-Katan left her questioning her abilities. This emotional turmoil spilled over into her professional life, as she struggled with auditions, particularly the self-taping process, which she admitted was not her strength. The result was a three-year period of scarce work, amplifying her self-doubt.
The experience highlights the often-unseen emotional labor of acting, particularly when taking on iconic roles in beloved franchises like Star Wars. While Sackhoff’s performance as Bo-Katan was seamless to audiences, her internal battle underscores the vulnerability that can accompany such high-profile roles. Her candidness on The Sackhoff Show offers a rare glimpse into the challenges actors face behind the scenes, even when their work is widely praised.
Sackhoff has since spoken about her journey to rebuild her confidence, crediting the support of friends and coaches for helping her regain her footing. Her resilience serves as a testament to her strength, mirroring the very warrior spirit she portrayed on screen. For fans, her story adds a layer of humanity to Bo-Katan, reminding them that even the galaxy’s toughest characters are brought to life by actors navigating their own struggles.
Fans can hear more of Sackhoff’s insights on The Sackhoff Show, now streaming on YouTube, and revisit her powerful performance as Bo-Katan in The Mandalorian, available on Disney+. Additionally, Star Wars enthusiasts can look forward to The Mandalorian & Grogu, a feature film set to release in theaters on May 22, 2026, continuing the adventures of the beloved characters from the series.
