Critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated, while it may not have matched the ratings of similar “Star Wars” shows like “The Mandalorian”—perhaps more adult and mature than expected— the “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” prequel spinoff series “Andor” was very adored by its fans. Already highly anticipated, the second season will be something special, according to the show’s creator/showrunner Tony Gilroy, who added to the hype. Gilroy is typically a bit more reserved, leaving the showboating for others, but even he suggested that “Andor” season two will be epic.
Last night, Griloy received the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement at an event held by the Writers Guild of American East and during a red carpet interview with the guild (see video below) that his combined work telling the story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), including in the upcoming second season, is one of the most “important” things Gilroy has made.
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Gilroy told WGA East, “I’ve been on ‘Andor’ for five years now. We’re finishing the second half. I’ve had a lot of fun over the years, but I don’t know whether I’ve ever done anything as important as these 24 hours of storytelling we’re doing now. I don’t know if it’s just cause it’s a thing I’m on, but I don’t think so. I’ve never had a chance to work this big before.”
For context, “Andor” season one was 12 episodes/12 hours of storytelling, and season two is the same length. And “Andor” certainly had a lot of political resonance, so perhaps this is another reason why Gilroy is calling the series, about the defiance against tyranny, “important.”
And while audiences who saw “Rogue One” already know Cassian Andor’s fate—sacrificing himself and Jynn Erso (Felicity Jones) so the rebel alliance could obtain the secret plans to the Death Star—clearly there’s still more to be known about his journey and backstory.
Additionally, “Andor” is not about the “how” but more about the “why;” it is a story of how Cassian Andor evolved from a man of self-interest into a valiant rebel leader. Season one only gets to the first chapter of Andor’s transformation; he doesn’t even really join the rebellion until its final moments, so season two promises something much different from the rest of his story. Clearly, audiences are invested in the details, and some of them being the reasons we don’t see some of the characters in the series “Rogue One.” Presumably, because many of them, like Stellan Skarsgard’s Luthen Rael, meet their fate somewhere along the line before the series ends.
You can watch that full exchange between WGA East and Gilory below while we wait for an official release date for “Andor” season two from Disney+, though it’s likely sometime in 2025. Next up for Lucasfilm will be “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” as that streaming series will make its two-episode premiere on June 4. 
Tony Gilroy just received the WGAE’s Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement. The #WritersGuildAward is presented to a WGAE member in honor of their body of work as a writer in motion pictures or television – describing Tony’s resume as deserving is an understatement pic.twitter.com/sVtwwiOMJQ— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) April 15, 2024