Collaborative Delights: Beau Willimon Discusses the Pleasure of Working on Andor and Severance
Beau Willimon, currently an executive producer on Apple TV+'s "Severance" and a writer for Disney+'s "Andor," discusses his involvement in these popular properties in a recent interview with Variety. Compared to writing on Star Wars to being a session musician, his collaboration with Andor creator Tony Gilroy started on their Netflix series House of Cards.
Gilroy, a renowned storyteller known for complex narratives and intricate storytelling, recruited Willimon to write a few episodes for Andor. Initially skeptical, Willimon agreed to contribute given Gilroy's desire to tell a mature, human story without burdening Willimon with the usual showrunner tasks.
For six weeks, Willimon, Gilroy, and Gilroy's brother worked together to develop the story for Andor. Willimon appreciated the opportunity to focus solely on scriptwriting, as his only responsibility was delivering scripts that Gilroy approved. Proud of the second season, Willimon is also credited with helping shape the world of Severance for its second season on Apple TV+.
In his role as executive producer for Severance, Willimon offers creative and practical support, benefiting from his experiences in both writing and producing. His collaboration with Gilroy could have influenced his approach by reinforcing an appreciation for intricate storytelling, deep character development, and efficient collaboration.
When asked about the impact of Gilroy's influence on his work, Willimon expressed a renewed love for producing, appreciating the opportunity to facilitate someone else's vision. He sees his role as providing a unique perspective and practical help, allowing him to avoid any emotional attachment to the project while contributing to its success.
In the future, Willimon's work on television shows like Severance and Andor might attract attention from technology-focused blogs such as Gizmodo, given his unique approach to scriptwriting and producing. With an eye towards movies-and-tv, entertainment websites like io9 could cover Willimon's projects for their intricate narratives and mature, human stories. As Willimon continues to shape the worlds of popular properties, his collaboration with Tony Gilroy could set new standards for storytelling in the realm of television and streaming.
