Andor’s Second Season: Creator Reveals Challenges Amid Streaming Changes

LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2025 — The anticipation builds for the second season of the critically acclaimed Star Wars series Andor, set to premiere on April 22, 2025, after its first season broke records for viewership and received eight Emmy nominations.

Showrunner Tony Gilroy reveals that despite having the second season’s 12-episode arc planned out long before the premiere, unforeseen challenges arose as the streaming landscape transformed dramatically. Disney faced a tough market correction that required them to scale back on production and reassess their investments in streaming content.

“Everything had changed. The sky was falling. Our attitude was that we’d rather not do it than do it lame,” Gilroy told The Hollywood Reporter. The series follows Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna, as he evolves from a petty thief to a hero of the Rebellion.

Scheduled to drop three episodes on the premiere date, Andor’s success sparked both critical acclaim and audience appreciation, though Gilroy noted some concerns about the minimal presence of alien characters in the first season—an issue he said would be addressed in season two.

As the production for season two commenced, it faced additional hurdles in the form of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which began on May 2, 2023, shortly after Gilroy completed the writing. “I had all the blueprints ready beforehand, but the strike forced us to get creative in production,” he explained, adding that this included adapting scenes and overcoming logistical challenges.

Gilroy acknowledged that the music for season two faced complications due to the industry strikes, which affected composer Nicholas Britell’s availability. “We had to pivot and bring in Brandon Roberts, who took the established themes and created new memorable cues,” Gilroy said. “It turned out to be fantastic.”

Additionally, Gilroy emphasized the importance of casting legacy characters from the Star Wars universe, stating, “It’s tricky—very expensive—and scheduling isn’t always in our favor. There were legacy characters we wanted in Yavin but couldn’t make it happen due to prior commitments.” Yet, he appreciated Disney and Lucasfilm for allowing the creative team to take the project in a direction free of excessive fan service.

Son of the late director and producer, Gilroy reflected on his commitment to the series: “I’ve contributed significantly to this universe, and I think I’ve done enough for now. Maybe I’ll shift gears,” he said, expressing interest in pursuing other films.

As the series transitions into its final arc, viewers can expect deeper character developments and intensified storylines. “The arcs of these characters are powerful, and audiences will finally see the larger stories we have hinted at between episodes,” said star Adria Arjona, who plays Cassian’s ally, Bix.

Andor’s second season not only aims to satisfy fans craving more from the Star Wars franchise but also aims to close out its narrative in a meaningful way. “It’s better to say goodbye at a high point than risk losing quality at the end,” Luna remarked, capturing the bittersweet sentiment surrounding the conclusion of the series.

The final season represents a substantial creative effort, with Gilroy summarizing, “We’ve made eight movies in five years. That’s a lot of work.”

Fans can look forward to the season premiere on Disney+ and a simultaneous broadcast on ABC and FX on April 23, 2025. With its blend of bold storytelling and character-driven narratives, Andor is poised to deliver a captivating farewell to one of its most beloved heroes in the Star Wars universe.