Andor explores the world of Star Wars from a different perspective, examining the thus far unseen aspects of the Rebellion and the Empire. The series explores Cassian Andor's journey from a loner who will do whatever it takes to survive into a self-sacrificing spy for the Rebellion. The second season will use time jumps to bring the characters up to the start of Rogue One, leading directly into the movie.
Andor showed the darker side of the Rebellion, with characters like Luthen willing to sacrifice lives to bring the Empire down. Andor also revealed the inner workings of the Empire, including the bureaucracy of the ISB and the truth behind one of the Empire's most terrifying torture tactics. Cassian Andor finally joined the Rebellion after seeing the evils of the Empire across the galaxy and losing countless people over the course of the first season.
Screen Rant spoke with the cast of Andor at Star Wars Celebration about what fans can expect in season 2. Luna explained how Cassian Andor will continue to evolve into the Rebel spy first introduced in Rogue One, Soller teased time jumps, and O'Reilly hinted at more danger and sacrifices for Mon Mothma in season 2.
Cast on Andor Season 2 at Star Wars Celebration
Screen Rant: How does Cassian Andor evolve in season 2?
Diego Luna: He's ready to join, but he doesn't know what he's getting into. He doesn't speak the language. He has to learn a new language; he has to understand many things. He has to witness and meet some people that are going to be crucial in shaping him to become the man that is willing to sacrifice everything for the Rebellion.
There's still a lot that needs to happen, and it's gonna be exciting. This structure is quite cool. It's four blocks, and each block is one year. But between each block, there's a time just. It'll be challenging for audiences in a good way, and maybe it'll be exciting and different from season 1.
I assume we'll see more of his time as a rebellion spy in season 2. What's been the most exciting part of diving into that story?
Diego Luna: That he has to get professional about being a spy, which is a different thing than what we've seen him do. He's just a guy trying to survive, you know? He has some skills, but now we're gonna see the spy.
Screen Rant: Andor is fantastic. What's been your favorite part of Mon Mothma's journey in season 2?
Genevieve O'Reilly: In season 2? Good question; sneaky question. I love that, within Tony's writing and within the structure of season 1, I feel like we know who she is. We know what her fight is, and we kind of have an idea of where her sacrifice is. We really lean into that in season 2. Where does it cross a line? Where does it get ugly? Where does it get costly, both emotionally and physically? I think season 2 gets more dangerous, more passionate, more emotional, and more vital.
Can you talk to me about how Mon Montha has grown in season 2 from where she was in season 1?
Genevieve O'Reilly: I think in season 1, we set her up. You understand that world. I think in season 2, Tony really digs down [into] what the cost is of her choices. What it costs, for her in particular with her ideals, to have to navigate the Empire not just at work but at home as well.
Screen Rant: Talk to me a little bit about your character's powerful arc, and the ending with his inability to swim.
Andy Serkis: The backstory of the Kino Loy character is that he was once a worker, but also a union representative. He was very powerful; he galvanized people. Therefore, the authorities saw him as a bit of a threat. He was incarcerated in Narkina-5, and he completely went against his principles and just wanted to survive.
He didn't think about others; just wanted to get through his sentence, believing that he would get released. He becomes quite selfish, actually. As long as he's hitting his targets, in terms of the construction within what they're making on the production line, then he's fine.
Until the arrival of Cassian, who reignites his spirit and brings him back to himself. He sees himself, and that enabled him to help others to a point where he finally self-sacrifices. It's an incredible arc, and I love playing every second of it.
I'm a huge fan of your work in front of the camera, but also behind it. You're an amazing director. When are we gonna see you help one of the Star Wars TV shows or movies?
Andy Serkis: I would love to. I really would genuinely. I think that this universe holds a huge fascination for me. I think I am one of the rare actors who's had the opportunity to play two characters in it. But I would love to.
Screen Rant: First of all, I love Andor. It is fantastic. And I like your character because it's a side of the Empire we don't usually get to see.
Kyle Soller: The boring side. [Laughs] It's good; it's mundane, but it's real life. People go into work and do their job, but when is the last time you saw the interior of Star Wars universe, or sat with a guy who's just doing a desk job and living with his mom?
Talk to me about how your character has progressed from season 1 to season 2.
Kyle Soller: Season 2? I mean, it pops off in season 2. They've turned it up to [11]. What can I say? Where you leave Syril in season 1 is in that little Star Wars cover with Dedra in the middle of the riot. There's so much potential from that moment. They both want the same; they both want Cassian, and they both realize that they can be stronger together. There can be some union involved here, but they don't know what that is.
You've got all these time jumps in season 2. It's a year gap before we start, and then there's three more because we've got to get up to the beginning of Rogue One. And as a result, there's all these incredible moments happening. I've always thought of Syril as an adolescent in [terms of] who he is. He doesn't really know who he is, actually. In season 2, he finds out what his truth is, and he knows how to get what he wants. And it kicks off, man. It kicks off.
You talked about the time jumps a little bit. Can you talk about what you were most excited to explore about your character in those time jumps?
Kyle Soller: Yeah, there's a section where you find Syril on his own. And its in a very, very, very different way from season 1. I think in the time jumps, there's just such a cliffhanger from where he's going and what's going to happen near the end of season 1. Who's this Dedra person? There's something going on there. I really wanted to find out whether he was going to move out of his mom's house, and then what was going to happen to Dedra. And you get answers to both of those things.
Screen Rant: Andor is a fantastic Star Wars show, and you're incredible in it. How was the trauma of the Empire's torture changed your character?
Adria Arjona: It really set her up in a loop. I think Bix, from the second you meet her to the end of the season, is a very different woman. I think she's really gone through it. And towards the end, what does that mean for season 2?
For me, those are all my questions the second I wrapped the show. Does this make her vengeful? Does it make her weak? Is she going to take a step down because she's afraid now? Is this going to affect her psychologically? How is she going to get over this? It was all these questions, and Tony was like, "You've gotta relax. I will get there." Because her journey in this next season is pretty powerful.
Speaking of the next season, will we see her take up the Rebel cause with Cassian in season 2, or does she have a different path?
Adria Arjona: I don't know. [Laughs] Good luck. I wish I could share it. I wish I could share it all, but we can't.
About Andor Season 2
Andor explores a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Andor season 2 will debut on Disney Plus in 2024.