Andor Season 2 is finally here, following a tumultuous development process that was delayed by almost a year due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes. During that time, the Star Wars franchise has taken some hits on the Disney+ streaming service with The Mandalorian Season 3 becoming its lowest-rated thus far, and the subsequent pivot to making Season 4 into a movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Then, there’s The Acolyte, a series that was hoped to hit the same highs as Andor but was sadly not given the chance to grow when Disney unceremoniously canceled it after one season. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew was well-received afterwards, though it was still hard to wash the taste of those recent misfires.
Nevertheless, showrunner and creator Tony Gilroy is back with the final season of Andor, this time covering the last four years of Cassian Andor’s life in the lead-up to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Viewers last saw Cassian (Diego Luna) as he fled from the Outer Rim planet Ferrix after the small uprising against the Empire, accepting his position in the growing rebellion alongside Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). Meanwhile, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) decided to commit to her journey in founding the Rebel Alliance.
Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma Get Their Time to Shine, But at a Cost
The last four years of Cassian’s life in Andor Season 2 are depicted across 3-episode arcs, with each one covering a subsequent year, making for 12 episodes total. This approach is similar to that of the first season’s story structure, although Tony Gilroy writes the arcs in this second season in a much more disconnected manner. He presents them as pivotal moments in Cassian’s life, thrusting the audience right into them each year without any hesitation. As exciting as that sounds, this narrative outline for Andor Season 2 somehow proves to be both a huge advantage and a hindrance at the same time.
Courtesy of Disney
Where the four distinct plots of Andor Season 2 are ineffective is with the show’s stellar supporting cast. While Cassian’s story is now fully fleshed out by the end of the season, there are minor gaps in the stories of Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma that feel slightly disappointing, considering the amount of hours put into building them both in season one. That doesn’t mean that Tony Gilroy ignores them, as the two are given the spotlight plenty of times this season, leading to some of their best character work yet. However, the gaps that form in the time jumps between episode arcs still leave out pivotal moments from their own stories that are instead told off-screen.
The Ghorman Massacre Arc Showcases some of Tony Gilroy’s Best Writing in the Star Wars Franchise
Andor‘s narrative structure for this second season is most effective in arcs such as the Ghorman Massacre. The tragic event has been mentioned numerous times in Star Wars media, specifically as the catalyst for Mon Mothma taking her fight to Emperor Palpatine publicly, so it was inevitable that Tony Gilroy would have to depict it in some way in this Disney+ original series. But the way Gilroy presents Ghorman before, during, and after the massacre is unparalleled in the entire Star Wars franchise. To put it simply, it’s bone-chilling and terrifying to see unfold.
Tony Gilroy utilizes the year-long gap between arcs so ambitiously to illustrate how the Empire’s grip of oppression has tightened on Ghorman. The contrast between how the planet of colonies is presented at the start of the season and its final appearance becomes a heartbreaking tale that showcases some of Gilroy’s most poignant and gripping Star Wars writing. Similar to the first season, Gilroy isn’t afraid to show audiences the harrowing nature of the Empire. In fact, Andor Season 2 is more transparent with these evils, as Gilroy further pushes viewers into the brutal terrors and sheer oppression of a fascist regime.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Andor Season 1 feels a bit more light-hearted in comparison to the horrors shown here.
Andor and Bix’s Romance is at the Core of Season 2
On a lighter note, Andor Season 2 is the most romantic that Star Wars has been in a long time, with the relationship between Cassian and Bix Caleen pushed to center stage. Adria Arjona (Hit Man, Blink Twice) is an essential and captivating part of the show’s ethos this season. Following previous events, fans are presented with a more tormented Bix. The character is a prime example of how badly fascism can break innocent bystanders, and how its unrelenting cruelty leads to the necessity of rebellion. Bix’s scenes of leaning on Cassian for support and, simultaneously, when they work as a duo, are all a strong showcase for the electric chemistry that Diego Luna and Adria Arjona share on screen.
Courtesy of Disney
Cassian and Bix’s romance becomes a shining star in the darkness that encompasses the events of this season. However, even that brightness is sadly cursed when considering Cassian’s doomed fate. Andor Season 2 is truly where Diego Luna’s portrayal of Cassian joins the echelon of top-tier Star Wars characters and acting. Luna builds upon everything given in the first season and delivers on every single level here. It cannot be overstated how effective Luna is in bringing Gilroy’s powerful writing to life in full force, from the moments of rising against the Empire’s fascist authority to the glimpses of levity with K-2SO (voiced again by Alan Tudyk). Undoubtedly, Diego Luna has now mastered all aspects of Cassian.
A Star Wars Show that Will Stand the Test of Time
By the end of Andor Season 2, Diego Luna has created a full-circle portrayal of Cassian the likes of which many actors in the Star Wars universe never get, or any other major Hollywood franchise, for that matter. From his scoundrel-like origins in season one all the way to his heroic sacrifice in Rogue One, rarely do actors get a chance to play out this much of a character on screen. His rich performance, alongside Tony Gilroy’s brave writing, proves that there is a story to be told behind every character, no matter how big or small; all it takes is the right collaboration and creative approach.
Andor Season 2 is even more ambitious, terrifying, and emotionally charged than the first season. While certainly not perfect, Tony Gilroy bests himself and operates at a higher level — a feat that feels like it was already impossible to accomplish. Having Cassian Andor’s final hurrah on the small screen told brilliantly as a pressing war drama, as opposed to an action-packed sci-fi extravaganza, is a testament to why this Star Wars series will stand the test of time over many other recent franchise shows. Andor isn’t just among the best of Star Wars, it’s among the best of television right now.
Andor Season 2 premieres on Disney+ on April 22!
Premiere Date: April 22, 2025.
Created by Tony Gilroy.
Based on Star Wars created by George Lucas.
Showrunner: Tony Gilroy.
Season 2 Directors: Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, & Alonso Ruizpalacios.
Executive Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, Sanne Wohlenberg, Luke Hull, & John Gilroy.
Main Cast: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Muhannad Bhaier, Joplin Sibtain, Kathryn Hunter, Forest Whitaker, Ben Mendelsohn, Alan Tudyk, & Benjamin Bratt.
Composer: Brandon Roberts (Season Two).
Production Company: Lucasfilm.
Network: Disney+.
Episode Count: 12 (Season Two).
