'Andor' Preview: What To Expect from the new Star Wars Series

The Latest entry in the Star Wars Cinematic Universe unlike any Star Wars story told before as it explores the Grey in between the Dark and the Light

When Disney purchased Lucasfilm way back in 2012, one major item of focus was to expand the scope of stories in the Star Wars Universe beyond that of the main series. The first of these stories was that of the Rebel group that stole the plans to the Death Star thus turning the tide in the war against the evil Empire, and the name of the film would be Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The movie was released in 2016 and was a critical and commercial success. The movie starred Felicity Jones, Ben Mandelson, and Diego Luna. Six years later and we are given the story of Diego Luna’s character Cassian Andor and how he came to be involved in the events of the movie and is simply called Andor.

Returning to role of Cassian is Diego Luna. His take on Cassian in the series is that of a good man forced to terrible things by desperation under the tyranny of the Empire. Luna brings an incredible amount of depth to the character in the first few episodes, letting the good inside of him peak through and conflict with the horrific actions that he has to commit in order to survive. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Kyle Soller as Syril Karn. Soller plays Karn, an officer for a corporate security outfit, as determined,loyal and completely in over his head. The brutality of war shocks Karn, giving a small glimpse into the reality and humanity of those on the other side of the fight that Star Wars has shied away from before. Acting powerhouse Stellan Skarsgård joins the cast as Luthen Rael and serves as Cassian’s introduction into the world of Rebellion. Also joining are Adria Arjona who brilliantly plays Bix Caleen, an ally to Andor who is caught between living her own life and helping out a friend and Genevieve O'Reilly who effortlessly steps back into the role of Mon Mothma who she has been playing since 2005’s Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. The cast help bring a gravity and desperation to the series that keeps every moment ripe with tension and fear.

The series is set 5 years before the Battle of Yavin which played out in the movie Star Wars IV: A New Hope and spans decades before that into Andor’s childhood. There are two major setting themes presented in the first four episodes and that is the grimey towns and alleys of a world under the Empire’s rule and the tribal jungles of Andor’s childhood which is foreign to technology of the universe around it. The seedy nightclubs and back alleys harken to the original cantinas but feel darker and more dangerous than ever before. While we have seen Jungle planets before in the Star Wars Universe, the human element thrown into the mix brings a sense of innocence and naivety that informs the depth hidden inside Andor. For a series set deep in the war between the Rebellion and the Empire there is a notable lack of both in the first four episodes, it’s a nice change and primer for the war that lurks right around the corner. Another notable absence is that of the Jedi. The series doesn’t even mention the force wielders and they are hardly missed. Without the ultra powerful Jedi present it adds an element of danger and realism that isn’t often felt in Star Wars.

Overall, Andor may just be the best offering of the Disney produced Star Wars properties. What it lacks in spectacle, it provides in tension in drama. Far removed from the fun, youth-oriented, main line Star Wars movies and the fan-service of the previous Disney+ shows, Andor is in a league of its own. The gritty and dramatic nature of the series is closer to the recent returns to Westeros and Middle Earth than Tatooine. If you are suffering from Jedi fatigue and are looking for a change of pace, this is the show for you. If you are a die-hard Star Wars fan, this is show for you. If you are a causal fan of drama and spy thrillers, this is the show for you. Andor is an incredible look into the seedy underbelly of the Star Wars Universe that is a must watch for everyone.