At a Glance
Andor’s first season premiered in September 2022 with the second season set to premiere April 22, 2025. The second season will be the final season of the series and will lead directly into Cassian’s appearance in Rogue One.
Key Facts
Release Date: Sep 21, 2022
Seasons: 2
Total Episodes: 24
Creator: Tony Gilroy
Where to Watch: Disney+
When: 5 years before the Battle of Yavin to 1 year before the Battle of Yavin
Recent Coverage
What is Andor?
Andor chronicles the journey of Cassian Andor from a thief who just wants to keep his head down to one of the most dedicated spies in the Rebel Alliance. Set five years before the events of Rogue One, the first season of the series explores Cassian’s early interactions with the Rebellion as he personally suffers under the fist of the Empire. The show takes a harsh look at the horrifying realities of fascism through the eyes of everyday citizens, and because of those struggles, Cassian’s radicalization happens before the audience’s very eyes. The show simultaneously shows the points of view of Imperial agents, political extremists, and Mon Mothma, who is attempting to aid the burgeoning Rebellion despite the constant threat of her own peril. The show features mature themes and intense political intrigue which offers a darker, more realistic portrayal of life under Imperial rule than any other Star Wars project.
Will Andor Have a Season 3?
No. Andor will conclude with Season 2. Tony Gilroy’s original vision for the show contained 5 seasons, but for a variety of reasons, the show was condensed to 2 seasons of 12 episodes each. While Season 1 all took place within the same year of Cassian’s life, Season 2 will contain 4 story arcs of 3 episodes each that take place one year apart. By the end of the season, the story will lead directly into Cassian’s introduction in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
About Andor
Disney+
TV-14
Action-adventure, Drama
38-57 minutes
2
24
5 years before A New Hope
Cast
When Does Andor Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
Andor is set in the Star Wars timeline approximately five years before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope and continues through the beginning of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, making it part of the era known as the Reign of the Empire period.
Reviews
Story and Characters
Andor chronicles the journey of Cassian Andor from a thief who just wants to keep his head down to one of the most dedicated spies in the Rebel Alliance. Set five years before the events of Rogue One, the first season of the series explores Cassian’s early interactions with the Rebellion as he personally suffers under the fist of the Empire.
The show takes a harsh look at the horrifying realities of fascism through the eyes of everyday citizens, and because of those struggles, Cassian’s radicalization happens before the audience’s very eyes. The show simultaneously shows the points of view of Imperial agents, political extremists, and Mon Mothma, who is attempting to aid the burgeoning Rebellion despite the constant threat of her own peril.
The show features mature themes and intense political intrigue which offers a darker, more realistic portrayal of life under Imperial rule than any other Star Wars project.
Cassian Andor
Arc
Cassian begins as a poor thief simply looking for his sister while trying to find his next score, but as he witnesses more of the Empire’s atrocities firsthand, he is slowly radicalized into the future spy that will help lead the Rebellion’s mission at the Battle of Scarif.
Significance
As the protagonist of the show, the audience views the Empire through Cassian’s eyes throughout the series. His various arcs offer different looks into the makeup of the fascist government that has taken hold of the galaxy in the years since The Clone Wars.
Mon Mothma
Arc
A staunch opponent of Palpatine’s reign predating the fall of the Republic, Mon Mothma’s influence over the future of the galaxy grows continuously as she sets various pieces in motion throughout the series, eventually culminating in her status as figurehead of the Rebellion.
Significance
Mon Mothma almost acts as a second protagonist for the series. Unlike Cassian, her work takes place not in the shadows but rather in full view of the public eye as she hopes Palpatine will forever be focused on the rock in her hand rather than the knife at his throat.
Luthen Rael
Arc
Leader of the Rebel network, Luthen Rael maintains a double life as a revolutionary and an antique dealer to the rich and powerful. The fight has cost him nearly everything, but after discovering Cassian, he discovers a newfound hope in the cause.
Significance
Every plan in the Rebellion goes through Luthen. Whether it’s Mon Mothma, Cassian Andor, or an informant buried deep within the ISB, everyone’s orders come through Luthen, although he will not hesitate to burn any asset if the larger mission demands it.
Syril Karn
Arc
A by-the-book civil servant, Syril Karn begins the series as a law enforcement officer who refuses to engage with interdepartmental politics before discovering that his refusal to play the game may cost him his entire career. After catching the eye of the ISB, Karn continues to hold out hope that his dedication to service will return him to respectability and honor.
Significance
Syril’s single minded obsession with Cassian’s arrest propels him throughout the series, and the closer he gets, the higher the stress put upon Cassian’s own journey. The officer’s quest, however, is used more to highlight the stunning hypocrisy laden within the Empire at every level; proving that the greater good will always succumb to the greater power.
Dedra Meero
Arc
An agent of the Imperial Security Bureau, Dedra Meero’s eye for detail and staunch work ethic allows her to catch the notice of her superiors; eventually allowing her to uncover the burgeoning Rebellion forces that have begun to coalesce around the galaxy.
Significance
Meero’s rise reflects the exact opposite of Syril’s fall. Not only is she ruthless with her desire to see the Empire grow, she also understands the political games that must be played in order to advance her personal career. Her wit works alongside her brutality to create a cunning and chilling antagonist throughout the show.
Bix Caleen
Arc
A Ferrix native who was also an ex-lover of Cassian’s, Bix discovers the Rebellion long before Cassian and ends up connecting him with Luthen Rael. Her desire to aid the fight far outweighs her sense of personal preservation which leads to her sacrificing far more than she could have ever imagined when the Empire descends on Ferrix.
Significance
Bix acts as the bridge between Cassian and the Rebellion, but while he is off planet, she also acts as the constant reminder to the people of Ferrix about the stakes of the galactic conflict. Despite their checkered past, her loyalty to Cassian never falters, and she proves to be one of his most trusted allies by the end of the series.
Key Episodes
The season one pilot sets the tone for the entire series by showcasing an entirely different side of Star Wars. Everything from the music to the lighting to the dialogue to the violence tells the audience what to expect from the rest of the monumental series.
Featuring possibly the most jaw-dropping visual sequence in the entire show, Episode 6 brings the Aldhani Heist to its thrilling conclusion. Vicious betrayals accompany a stunning galactic display to end the second arc of the series in spectacular fashion.
A finale that fully delivers on the hype that has built up for the entire season, Episode 12 brings us back to Ferrix for the ultimate showcase of true rebellion. The people of Ferrix face the unblinking brutality of the Empire with newfound vigor, and Cassian makes a choice that changes the course of his life forever.
Design
The design of Andor reflects the gritty, real world nature of the show’s political conflicts. There is a stark contrast between the civilians of worlds like Ferrix who represent the working class of the galaxy and the crisp, rigid structured design of the Imperial Security Bureau. This dichotomy is present in every part of the show from the look of the sets to the fabrics used to create the costumes, and that consistent contrast continually enhances the points that creator Tony Gilroy is making with every new episode. Fans of Rogue One will recognize similar visual styles littered throughout as Andor continues the tradition of “gritty, lived-in” Star Wars projects.
Technology and Effects
Special effects
Andor stands out for its emphasis on practical effects, on-location shooting, and a gritty, realistic aesthetic. Unlike many other Star Wars projects that heavily utilize The Volume, Andor opts for real-world environments to enhance the grounded and raw feel of the show. This approach, combined with meticulous production design and visual effects, creates a visual language unlike any other in the Star Wars television landscape. This has also, however, led to Andor being the most expensive Star Wars show ever made.
Behind the Scenes
Tony Gilroy, who previously wrote Rogue One, serves as the showrunner and creator of Andor. His singular vision for the series regarding the practical costs of rebellion and reality of moral ambiguity imbue the show with vibrant life - a sentiment shared by cast, crew, and audience alike. The show also boasts a strong ensemble cast, with returning actors Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly as Cassian Andor and Mon Mothma as well as standout franchise newcomer, Stellan Skarsgård, as Luthen Rael.
Related TV Shows & Films
Featuring the first appearance of Cassian Andor, Rogue One introduces the tone and storytelling quality that is evident throughout Andor. Series creator Tony Gilroy also wrote the script for Rogue and has promised that the series will end moments before Cassian’s introduction in the film.
The unrelenting fist of the Empire in A New Hope is reflected with even more brutality in Andor. Within the series, we see the Rebellion forces begin to coalesce that will eventually come together for the famous Battle of Yavin.
Books & Comics Related to Andor
Awards & Recognition
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Drama Series
2023
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Cinematography for a Series, Damián Garcia, "Rix Road"
2023
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, Benjamin Caron, "Rix Road"
2023
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Beau Willimon, "One Way Out"
2023
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series, Nicholas Britell, "Rix Road"
2023
Primetime Emmy Nomination
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, Nicholas Britell
2023
Top Critics
"Andor isn’t just great by Star Wars standards—it’s one of the best shows of the year."
- Miles Surrey, The Ringer
“The show deserves to be seen as great TV, in the same league as shows like The Wire and The Sopranos.”
- David Klion, The New Republic
“Andor is simply a show that is good in almost every aspect of its production.”
- Mark Serrels, CNET
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