Andor (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andor |
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| Created by | Tony Gilroy |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
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| Production location(s) | United Kingdom |
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| Running time | 38–60 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Lucasfilm |
| Budget | $650 million |
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| Original network | Disney+ |
| Original release | September 21, 2022 – May 13, 2025 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Rogue One |
Andor is an exciting TV show from the Star Wars universe, made for Disney+. It's a story about adventure and spies, showing how a brave hero named Cassian Andor became a key part of the Rebel Alliance. This show takes place before the movie Rogue One (2016) and even before the very first Star Wars film (1977). It tells the story of Cassian, who starts as a clever thief and then joins the fight against the powerful and unfair Galactic Empire. You'll see how the Rebellion slowly grew stronger, five years before the big events you might already know.
Diego Luna plays Cassian Andor, just like he did in Rogue One. He also helped make the show! Many other talented actors like Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, and Stellan Skarsgård are also in it. The show was filmed in the United Kingdom. The first season, which showed Cassian's first year as a rebel, aired in 2022. The second and final season, covering the next four years leading up to Rogue One, premiered on April 22, 2025, and finished on May 13, 2025. Critics really loved Andor for its exciting story, great acting, and how it showed a more serious side of the Star Wars galaxy. It even won five Emmy Awards in 2025!
Contents
What is Andor About?
Andor shows us what life was like under the strict rule of the Galactic Empire. It explores how the Empire controlled people's lives and how ordinary citizens were affected. The story starts five years before the movie Rogue One. It follows many different characters to show how the Rebel Alliance slowly came together to fight against the Empire. At the heart of it all is Cassian Andor, who goes from being a clever thief to a brave leader in the Rebellion.
Meet the Characters
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Main Characters
- Diego Luna as Cassian Andor: A thief and scavenger from the planet Kenari. The show follows Cassian as he changes from a cynical person to a passionate rebel. He becomes a skilled spy and fighter for the Rebellion. A younger Cassian was known as Kassa.
- Kyle Soller as Syril Karn: A Deputy Inspector for the Pre-Mor Authority, a company that handles security. Syril is determined to catch Cassian after he kills two security employees.
- Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen: A mechanic and black market dealer. She is Cassian's friend and ally, and she helps take care of Cassian's adoptive mother, Maarva.
- Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael: A very important person in the early Rebellion, known as "Axis" by Imperial agents. He hires Cassian for his first mission as a Rebel. Luthen pretends to be an antiques dealer on Coruscant.
- Fiona Shaw as Maarva Andor (season 1): Cassian's adoptive mother. She brought him from Kenari with her husband, Clem.
- Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma: An Imperial senator who secretly uses her family's money to help the growing Rebellion. She tries to navigate the difficult politics of the Empire.
- Denise Gough as Dedra Meero: An ambitious supervisor for the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB). She is focused on finding and stopping a rebel leader called "Axis".
- Faye Marsay as Vel Sartha: A Rebel operative who works for Luthen. She leads a mission to steal from the Empire on Aldhani.
- Varada Sethu as Cinta Kaz: A Rebel on Aldhani who lost her family to the Empire. She is a medic.
- Elizabeth Dulau as Kleya Marki: Luthen's assistant at his antiques store. She is a key communications officer for the Rebel group.
- Ben Mendelsohn as Orson Krennic (season 2): The director of advanced weapons research for the Imperial military.
- Benjamin Bratt as Bail Organa (season 2): An Imperial senator and adoptive father to Leia Organa.
- Alan Tudyk as the voice and motion-capture of K-2SO (season 2): A former Imperial droid reprogrammed to help the Rebellion.
Other Important Characters
- Joplin Sibtain as Brasso: Cassian's co-worker and friend.
- Kathryn Hunter as Eedy Karn: Syril's mother.
- Alastair Mackenzie as Perrin Fertha: Mon Mothma's husband.
- Anton Lesser as Major Lio Partagaz: Dedra's commanding officer in the Imperial Security Bureau.
- Andy Serkis as Kino Loy (season 1): A prisoner and floor manager at an Imperial factory on Narkina 5.
- Duncan Pow as Ruescott Melshi: A prisoner at Narkina 5 who later joins the Rebel Alliance with Cassian.
- Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera: A veteran fighter and leader of a rebel group called the Partisans.
- Richard Dillane as Davo Sculdun: A businessman whom Mon Mothma asks for financial help.
- Robert Emms as Lonni Jung (season 2; guest season 1): An ISB supervisor who secretly helps the Rebellion.
- Alistair Petrie as General Davits Draven (season 2): A rebel leader on Yavin IV.
- Dave Chapman voices Maarva Andor's droid B2EMO.
How the Show Was Made
Developing the Story
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In 2017, Disney announced new live-action Star Wars TV shows for their streaming service, Disney+. One of these was a story that happened before the movie Rogue One (2016). This show would focus on Cassian Andor, with Diego Luna playing him again.
Tony Gilroy, who helped write Rogue One, joined the show in 2019. He became the main writer and director, replacing Stephen Schiff. Gilroy wanted the show to feel real and be interesting for everyone, not just big Star Wars fans. He also wanted to make sure the story was easy to understand, even if you didn't know all the details of the Star Wars universe.
The first season tells one year of Cassian's life as he becomes a revolutionary. The second season covers the next four years, leading right up to the events of Rogue One. Gilroy thought of the two seasons like two halves of a book.
Writing the Scripts
The writing team included Tony Gilroy, his brother Dan, and Beau Willimon. Tony Gilroy encouraged them to think beyond their love for Star Wars to create a fresh story. He wanted the show to be about how ordinary people can stand up and make a difference.
Diego Luna was excited to explore Cassian's character more deeply. He saw Cassian's journey as similar to that of a migrant, someone who has to move to find new opportunities. Gilroy used a line from Rogue One, "I've been in this fight since I was six years old!", as a starting point for Cassian's childhood story. He created Cassian's home planet, Kenari, where children lived without adults, like a "Lord of the Flies"-style tribe.
The show also explores the Imperial side of the story. Denise Gough's character, Dedra Meero, faces challenges as she tries to succeed in a workplace mostly run by men.
Designing the Look
Luke Hull was the production designer, making the show look very cinematic. Neal Scanlan created the creatures and droids, just like he did for the Star Wars movies. He made sure the show had a similar "harder edge" to Rogue One. A large outdoor city set, several blocks long, was built for the series.
Who Stars in the Show?
Diego Luna returned as Cassian Andor. Alan Tudyk, who played K-2SO in Rogue One, also returned for the second season. Other main actors include Stellan Skarsgård, Kyle Soller, Genevieve O'Reilly (as Mon Mothma), Denise Gough, Adria Arjona, and Fiona Shaw. Forest Whitaker also reprised his role as Saw Gerrera. For the second season, Benjamin Bratt joined as Bail Organa, and Ben Mendelsohn returned as Orson Krennic.
Filming Locations
Filming began in London, England, in late 2020, mainly at Pinewood Studios. The show did not use the StageCraft digital background technology, opting for real locations and large sets instead. This made it feel more like Rogue One.
Many different places in the UK were used for filming. A large village set was built in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Filming also took place at the Coryton Refinery in Essex and at Canary Wharf in East London, which became the Imperial Security Bureau on Coruscant. The Barbican Centre's concrete walkways also represented parts of Coruscant.
In May 2021, filming happened in Cleveleys, Lancashire, where the beach became the alien resort planet of Niamos. The disused Winspit quarry in Dorset was used for Saw Gerrera's base. Later, production moved to Scotland, including Glen Tilt and the Cruachan Dam.
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The second season started filming in November 2022 and finished in February 2024. It faced some delays due to Hollywood labor disputes. Filming for the second season also took place in Xàtiva and Valencia in Spain, and at Hever Castle in Kent, England.
Music of Andor
Nicholas Britell composed the music for the first season. He worked closely with Tony Gilroy to create a unique sound for the show, using a full orchestra and a wide range of sounds. For the second season, Brandon Roberts took over as composer due to scheduling conflicts, though Britell did write some music for a few episodes.
Promoting the Show
A first look at the show, with behind-the-scenes footage, was shared in December 2020. The first official teaser trailer was released in May 2022, showing a "gritty side" of the Star Wars universe. Fans felt it had a darker tone and a unique identity.
The main trailer was released in August 2022, highlighting the action scenes and the serious tone. It showed more of Cassian's journey from a thief to a rebel fighter. Footage from the second season was shown at Star Wars Celebration London in April 2023, and an official teaser trailer for the second season was released on February 24, 2025.
When and Where to Watch
Andor premiered on Disney+ on September 21, 2022, with the first three episodes. The rest of the 12-episode first season was released weekly until November 23, 2022. The first two episodes of the first season also aired on ABC, FX, and Freeform in November 2022.
The second and final season, also with 12 episodes, premiered on April 22, 2025. Three episodes were released weekly until May 13, 2025.
Home Video Release
The first season of Andor was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on April 30, 2024. It came in special packaging with concept art cards and extra features. The 4K Ultra HD version was very popular, becoming the top seller on the 4K chart.
See also
In Spanish: Andor para niños
