After the horrific reception to the sequel trilogy, Star Wars was considered dead. Sure, there were shows such as The Mandalorian and Kenobi, but considering the mixed critical reception and the lack of general interest in future Lucasfilm projects, it felt like the franchise was barreling towards a slow, unceremonious death.
Enter Tony Gilroy, the writer and director who helped rewrite and re-film parts of the 2016 film Rogue One. In 2018, it was announced that Gilroy would be producing a show based around Cassian Andor, one of the lead characters from Rogue One. Most thought nothing of it. With nearly a dozen projects announced, the hype for Andor was lost in the mix. It was further lost when Disney’s first two Star Wars releases in 2022, The Book of Boba Fett and Kenobi, flopped among both fans and critics.
However, Andor’s first season, released in August and September of 2022, quietly became a masterpiece. It’s slow buildup of action paid off in early episodes with major moments for its characters. The show’s critiques of fascism drew real-world comparisons, and its thrilling monologues proved that Gilroy was not playing softball.
Then the show ended, and for nearly three years, fans of Andor had to wait for a second season. After multiple delays due to the Hollywood strikes, season 2 finally went into production in 2024 and was released as four three-episode story arcs in April and May of 2025.
And what a spectacular season it was. Andor Season 2 delivered on nearly every plot line it started in Season 1. Every character, even the ones that felt forgettable in the early episodes, was given such a unique ending to their story.
The acting, if at all possible, was even better than in season one. Stars Diego Luna (Cassian Andor), Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma) and Stellan Skarsgård (Luthen Rael) were spectacular as ever, but it was the supporting cast that stole the show. Elizabeth Dulau, in her first project out of acting school, blew critics away as Kleya Marki. Forrest Whitaker and Ben Mendelsohn guest-starred to reprise their roles from Rogue One as Saw Gerrera and Orson Krennic, and both commanded the screen with such presence that it would make you forget you were watching Star Wars in the first place.
Benjamin Bratt also took over the character of Bail Organa (father of Princess Leia Organa) from Jimmy Smits, and did an impressive job continuing his character’s story. Alan Tudyk’s reprisal of the wacky droid K-2SO was hilarious as always, and Kyle Soller’s performance as Syril Karn was a masterclass in emotion.
Critics of the show called it “too mature” for Star Wars, and claimed its lack of lightsabers and force users makes it feel less like Star Wars and more like generic science fiction. However, in a world of sloppy content with cheap production turned out just to make a few bucks in streaming costs, Andor is nothing if not unique for its quality.
With the final five episodes of season two all achieving an IMdB rating of over 9.5, Andor achieved a rare feat, becoming one of the few shows ever to earn five-straight 9.5 scores. Loved by fans and critics alike, the show is gaining a cult-like following.
The show proves that Star Wars does not need lightsabers or the Force to be great. With not a single Jedi or Sith appearing in Andor, it masterfully spins a new story in the galaxy; a story about the regular people, and how the conflict affects them. Yes, it is mature, yes it is gritty and yes it is Star Wars.
For fans looking for a great Star Wars show, watch Andor. For fans looking for a great science fiction show, watch Andor. For fans looking for a great political drama, watch Andor. For fans looking for a show with real-world political tie-ins, watch Andor. For fans looking for a mature drama, watch Andor. Really, if you just want to watch 24 great episodes of television, just watch Andor. You won’t regret it.
