Andor Series Review (Season 2)

Released: April 22nd to May 14th 2025

Number of Episodes: 12

Where To Watch: Disney+

Certificate: 12A

Created by: Tony Gilroy

Starring: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Denis Gough, Genevieve O'Reilly and Stellan Skarsgård

2016’s Rogue One was a production that impressed most movie-goers despite its troubled production. Tony Gilroy saw an opportunity to expand on it with a prequel series that dove deeper into the classic conflict of rebels and stormtroopers. The second season completes the story with an excellent flourish.

One year after the uprising on Ferrix, the rebel alliance is growing in strength, having set up their base on Yavin IV. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) pulls off daring operations against the empire, slowly rising through the ranks while avoiding the prying eyes of Imperial intelligence. He tries to walk the line between fighting for freedom and building a life with his girlfriend Bix (Adria Arjona). Meanwhile Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), Luthen Rael and other members of high society maintain their cover, gradually building support against the Galactic Empire. The villainous perspective also returns with Syril Karn (Kyle Sollder), Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser) chasing rebel operatives alongside their ambitions for power. With three distinct viewpoints, the twelve episodes are split into three-part arcs which follow the two factions in the lead-up to the Gareth Edwards film. Andor is so much more than a simple bridge between productions. It may have a 12A rating, but it tackles darker elements far more effectively than all other recent efforts. It maintains a morally grey perspective for the rebels while highlighting the depravity of the imperials. Without giving anything away, there are many moments that emphasise the brutality of the empire on ground level, a ruthless presence that will stop at nothing to enforce control. Knowing what unfolds in Rogue One, the final episodes are filled with emotional resonance with every lead character receiving a great payoff. As a result, the series is elevated to the top of the Star Wars canon, a compelling exploration of fascism, rebellion and all the space in-between.

On one side Andor is a show of contrasts, but it also boasts some deep and thoroughly engaging plot threads for each of its main characters. Cassian witnesses many horrors across the twelve episodes and Diego Luna does a fantastic job conveying his stress and quiet determination. Both sides have difficult dilemmas to deal with; for the rebels it’s trying to live in the shadow of a dictatorship while also attempting to dismantle the oppression. Adria Arjona imbues Bix with a very personal motivation, one that shifts her relationships in a big way. Genevieve O’Reilly adds so much detail to Mon Mothma who eventually puts aside her senate credentials to join the rebellion. For the empire, it’s all about the brutal hierarchy and a constant fear of failure; Denise Gough embodies this effortlessly while Kyle Sollder presents an individual caught on the wrong side of conflict. Admittedly there’s only one downside to Andor’s second outing; the leads are all brilliant, but the sheer number of characters can make some performances less memorable. Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and her compatriots on the planet Ghormin are well-acted, but they don’t have as much depth. In a way, Andor’s complex writing holds a mirror up to the audience, asking what we would do in the event of a fascistic takeover. When placed against current events, you will feel the connections at play.

The final piece that makes this season work is how many sides of the galaxy we witness; splitting into four story arcs over four years allows for a wide array of set designs, costume work and tones. The early episodes are concentrated on backwater worlds with fringe groups that are quite disorganised; this is contrasted against a wedding with dark undertones racing through Mon Mothma’s mind. The middle section draws a lot of inspiration from the real-life French resistance in World War Two; the rebels sneak around Ghormin, right under the nose of the Empire and its endless propaganda. As we reach the second half, the focus shifts towards urban interiors and imperial boardrooms with hidden secrets. There are no bloated or out-of-place action scenes to be found here, only tense infiltrations and deep character moments. Droids, practical creatures and giant backdrops blend together beautifully and the soundtrack is a solid mix of old and new, changing the atmosphere at all the right moments.

Big, bold and bittersweet, the second and final season of Andor packs in so much depth and maturity. It takes Star Wars to a place previous efforts were afraid to tread while building a seamless bridge to Rogue One. Even if you’ve grown tired of the franchise in recent years, this show is a must-watch.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)