Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Andor, which stands as possibly the finest Star Wars content created since The Empire Strikes Back, delivering mature storytelling that honors the saga’s revolutionary spirit.
Premiering on September 21, 2022, this Disney Plus exclusive consists of 12 episodes in its first season, with Season 2 currently airing through 2025. Created by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna reprising his role from Rogue One, Andor explores Cassian Andor’s journey from cynical survivor to committed Rebel Alliance hero. Set five years before the events of Rogue One, the series examines the personal cost of fighting fascism while showcasing the political and social complexities that drive ordinary people to extraordinary acts of resistance.
Andor doesn’t rely on nostalgia or fan service to succeed. Instead, it focuses on character-driven storytelling, political intrigue, and the harsh realities of life under Imperial rule. This is sophisticated science fiction that treats its subject matter with the gravity and respect that the Star Wars universe deserves.
The Birth of a Rebel
In an era filled with danger, deception, and intrigue, Cassian Andor embarks on a path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero. Andor follows Cassian’s transformation from a man motivated by personal survival to someone willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of freedom. The series expertly balances his individual journey with the larger political landscape of an Empire tightening its grip on the galaxy, showing how personal tragedy and systemic oppression forge the rebels who would eventually bring down the Death Star.
The narrative structure allows viewers to understand both the intimate human cost of resistance and the broader political movements that make rebellion necessary and inevitable.
Diego Luna: A Revolutionary Performance
Diego Luna returns to the role of Cassian Andor with a performance that deepens and enriches the character far beyond what was possible in Rogue One. Luna embodies Cassian with perfect balance of world-weary cynicism and growing idealism, making his gradual transformation feel both surprising and inevitable. His portrayal captures the complexity of someone learning to care about something larger than himself while maintaining the survival instincts that have kept him alive in a hostile galaxy.
Luna’s chemistry with the ensemble cast creates authentic relationships that ground the galactic-scale politics in genuine human emotion, making every character interaction feel meaningful and consequential.
Stellan Skarsgård: The Architect of Rebellion
Stellan Skarsgård delivers a masterful performance as Luthen Rael, a mysterious antique dealer who secretly orchestrates rebel activities across the galaxy. Skarsgård brings layers of complexity to what could have been a simple mentor figure, creating a character whose dedication to the cause has cost him pieces of his humanity. His portrayal captures the moral compromises required to fight a war against overwhelming odds, showing how the pursuit of justice can transform good people into something darker but necessary.
Skarsgård’s scenes with Luna create some of the series’ most compelling moments, as two very different men find common ground in their commitment to ending Imperial tyranny.
When Hope Meets Sacrifice
The series reaches its emotional peak when personal losses force Cassian and his fellow rebels to choose between safety and resistance. These pivotal episodes showcase the impossible choices faced by people living under authoritarian rule, as family loyalty conflicts with the larger fight for freedom. Andor excels at showing how political oppression affects ordinary people, transforming grief and anger into the fuel that powers revolutionary movements.
The action sequences feel visceral and consequential, with each victory earned through genuine sacrifice rather than convenient plot devices.
Supporting Characters Who Define a Movement
The supporting cast, including Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Adria Arjona, brings authenticity to Andor‘s portrayal of life under Imperial rule. Each character represents different aspects of resistance and collaboration, from Imperial Security Bureau agents struggling with their conscience to ordinary citizens deciding whether to risk everything for freedom. The series benefits from having characters with genuine stakes in both the Empire’s stability and the rebellion’s success, creating complex moral landscapes that avoid simple good-versus-evil narratives.
Success on Disney Plus
Andor has become Disney Plus’s most critically acclaimed Star Wars series, earning widespread praise for its mature approach to the beloved franchise. The 12-episode format allowed for deep character development without rushing toward action beats, making it perfect for viewers seeking sophisticated science fiction storytelling. Critics have consistently highlighted the series’ political intelligence and exceptional production values, while audiences have responded enthusiastically to its grounded approach to the Star Wars universe. Andor represents Disney Plus’s commitment to prestige television that can compete with premium cable dramas while expanding the Star Wars brand in meaningful directions.
The Revolution Will Be Televised
If you love intelligent science fiction with political depth, Andor is the perfect series to experience on Disney Plus. This isn’t just another Star Wars show but a sophisticated exploration of how ordinary people become heroes when faced with impossible choices between safety and justice.
Why This Rebellion Matters
Andor transcends typical franchise television by focusing on the human cost of political resistance while showcasing some of the finest writing and acting in recent science fiction. This is essential viewing for anyone seeking mature storytelling that honors both the Star Wars legacy and contemporary political realities.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes (Season 1), 12 episodes (Season 2)
Platform: Disney Plus
Release Year: 2022
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Science Fiction Drama, Political Thriller, Star Wars Saga
Production Type: American Disney Plus original series
Status: Season 1 completed, Season 2 currently airing (final season)
Protagonist: Diego Luna (Cassian Andor)
Main Cast: Stellan Skarsgård (Luthen Rael), Denise Gough (Dedra Meero), Kyle Soller (Syril Karn)
Antagonist: The Galactic Empire and its various agents of oppression