Star Wars: Andor creator Tony Gilroy has opened up about the creative choices shaping the emotional landscape of the series’ second and final season, particularly how they reframe Cassian Andor’s journey in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. In an interview with Collider, the showrunner, who also contributed to the writing of Rogue One, reflected on how the series’ exploration of Cassian’s relationships has altered the context of his arc in the 2016 film, while expressing regret for the impact on certain audience expectations.
The Disney+ series Andor, which serves as a prequel to Rogue One, delves deeply into the formative years of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), tracing his transformation into the rebel hero seen in the film. Season 2, which spans five years and leads directly into the events of Rogue One, introduces significant emotional depth through Cassian’s complex relationship with Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona). This bond, characterized by a rich history and intense emotional stakes, has emerged as a cornerstone of the series, overshadowing the fleeting connection Cassian shares with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) in Rogue One.
Gilroy, who was involved in rewriting parts of Rogue One, acknowledged the weight of the Cassian-Jyn dynamic, particularly the iconic elevator scene that has long fueled speculation about their relationship. “I knew very well what had happened with Jyn and Cassian in Rogue One and what had happened in the elevator,” he said. “I probably went back and looked at that. I was pleased to see that my memory of it was of all the other takes and other things, and I was really pleased to see how we’d edited that, that it was really ambiguous about what it was, and then I didn’t care anymore. I was like, ‘Okay. It makes sense.’” This ambiguity allowed Gilroy to prioritize the narrative direction of Andor without feeling constrained by fan interpretations of the film.
The relationship between Cassian and Bix, described as both passionate and tumultuous, takes center stage in Andor Season 2. Gilroy elaborated on their dynamic, noting, “I mean, they’re both pretty sexually liberated in their way. I think that first kiss they had, I think the first person they ever slept with is each other. Who knows how old they were on Ferrix? Probably very, very young. And over time, they were together and not together.” This on-again, off-again connection, rooted in a shared history on the planet Ferrix, adds layers of tragedy to Cassian’s story, especially given the revelation in the series finale that Bix was pregnant with his child when she left him to focus on the Rebellion.
The emotional weight of this plot point is amplified by a subtle but poignant detail: the blaster Bix carries in Andor is the same one Cassian uses in Rogue One to kill Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn). This connection underscores the enduring impact of Bix on Cassian’s life, even as he embarks on the mission that leads to his death alongside Jyn on Scarif. The series finale, set just days before Rogue One, shows Bix holding their infant child, unaware that Cassian will never return—a moment that adds a new layer of sacrifice to his ultimate fate.
Gilroy expressed sympathy for those who had invested heavily in the Cassian-Jyn dynamic, acknowledging the effort put into fan interpretations. “I felt bad for the people who had invested so much time in the fan fiction and stuff like that,” he said. “The people who really had gone deep on it. It’s not considered canon, and it’s not something I have to pay attention to, legally, within the order, but people worked hard on that stuff, and it meant a lot to them.” Despite this, he emphasized the necessity of following his creative vision for Andor, even if it meant challenging preconceived notions about Cassian’s relationships.
Gilroy also addressed the broader implications of Cassian’s romantic history, suggesting that it reflects a realistic complexity. “I think they have a very healthy idea of what the different calibrations of love are,” he noted, referring to Cassian and Bix’s nuanced understanding of their bond. This perspective aligns with the series’ grounded approach to storytelling, which prioritizes character depth and emotional realism over adhering to fan expectations. By focusing on Cassian’s life before Rogue One, Andor recontextualizes his final moments with Jyn as a fleeting but meaningful connection, distinct from the profound, lifelong tie he shares with Bix.
The decision to exclude Jyn Erso from Andor was deliberate, as Gilroy felt a cameo would undermine the series’ narrative integrity. In a separate interview, he explained that including her would have been “lame” and “disrespectful” to both Rogue One and Andor’s standalone story. Instead, the series connects to Rogue One through other characters, such as Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), Orson Krennic, and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), ensuring a seamless transition into the film’s events without relying on unnecessary appearances.
As Andor concludes, its impact on the Star Wars universe is undeniable. The series has been praised for its sophisticated storytelling, political depth, and character-driven narrative, earning it the distinction of the highest-rated Star Wars project to date. Gilroy’s choices have solidified Andor as a masterful exploration of Cassian Andor’s journey, redefining his legacy and the emotional stakes of his sacrifice in Rogue One. Both seasons of Andor are now streaming on Disney+, offering viewers the chance to experience this transformative chapter in the Star Wars saga.
