Star Wars: Andor – 20 Interesting facts you might not know

Set against the rise of the Rebellion and the tightening grip of the Galactic Empire, Star Wars: Andor has redefined what Star Wars storytelling can be.

Gritty, grounded, and deeply human, the series dives into the making of a rebel in ways fans never expected—blending espionage, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity.

Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore fan, Andor offers a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes secrets, clever connections to the broader Star Wars universe, and rich character arcs.

Star Wars: Andor stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, chronicling his journey into rebellion. He’s joined by Stellan Skarsgård as the secretive rebel leader Luthen Rael and Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, the senator working covertly against the Empire.

Denise Gough plays ambitious Imperial officer Dedra Meero, with Kyle Soller as Syril Karn, a disgraced enforcer obsessed with order. Adria Arjona appears as Bix Caleen, Cassian’s loyal ally, and Elizabeth Dulau portrays Kleya Marki, Luthen’s sharp and enigmatic right hand.

Here are 20 Interesting facts you might not know about Star Wars: Andor

1. Unlike The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Andor was filmed on real locations and massive practical sets instead of using the Volume (StageCraft).

2. Showrunner Tony Gilroy structured Star Wars: Andor so every 3-episode arc felt like a self-contained movie with its own tone and pacing.

3. Gilroy actually completely rewrote and reshot the original pilot because he found it “boring.”

4. Locations like Barcelona (in Spain) and Lake Como (in Italy) were used to portray new Star Wars planets, such as Ghorman and Chandrila.

5. Each 3-episode block in Season 2 covers roughly one year, allowing the show to span four years leading up to Rogue One.

6. Industrial Light & Magic was used mainly for digital extensions – most environments and effects were physical, including starships and alien props.

7. Nicholas Britell (the composer of Succession) brought a moody, textured score to Star Wars: Andor, replacing the traditional John Williams vibe.

8. The emphasis on physical sets, global location shooting, and extended production made Star Wars: Andor extremely costly.

9. Star Wars: Andor emphasizes real-world politics, fascism, and rebellion more than any other live-action Star Wars series.

10. Gilroy wrote the show without concern for it being “family-friendly,” describing it as a serious sci-fi thriller.

11. Mon Mothma’s Speech Was Canonically Rewritten. The show hijacked and re-contextualized her Rebels speech to better fit the timeline and emotional weight of the finale.

12. Stellan Skarsgård (Luthen Rael) described his character as a revolutionary leader willing to become a monster to bring down the Empire. So, Rael is basically Che Guevara + Washington.

13. Dedra Meero was raised in an Imperial Orphanage: She came from a touch-deprived “kinder-block,” explaining her obsession with structure and control.

14. Star Wars: Andor shows Cassian’s journey into becoming the Rebel spy seen in Rogue One, with cameos from K-2SO, Saw Gerrera, and Orson Krennic.

15. General Draven name-drops the starship Ghost from Star Wars Rebels, connecting Star Wars: Andor to that beloved animated series.

16. Star Wars: Andor earned 96%+ on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely considered the best Star Wars series ever made by critics.

17. After Season 1, the series received multiple Emmy nominations, and Season 2 built on its reputation with praise for its writing, tone, and visuals.

18. The cast and crew would often take lengthy walks to get to a set for location filming. According to Diego Luna, when filming took place in Pitlochry, Scotland, they had to walk up a mountain for hours to set up one shot.

19. Originally planned for a five-season run, the series concluded after two seasons and 24 episodes, ending just before the events of Rogue One.

20. Elizabeth Dulau was cast in the show right after graduating from drama school, making it her first professional screen project. Tony Gilroy was so impressed by her performance that he gave her character Kleya Marki more screen time in the second season.

Well, there you have it, 20 interesting facts you might not know about Star Wars: Andor. If I’ve left out something out, feel free to comment below.

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Check out the trailer for Season 1 below:

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