Mon Mothma, portrayed by Genevieve O'Reilly, undergoes a significant and significant dance sequence in Andor, as explained by showrunner Tony Gilroy.
Andor's second season on Disney+ brings the thrilling world of Star Wars rebellion back into our lives with three action-packed episodes!
In an exclusive chat with showrunner Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma, they discussed the final moments of the third episode of this week's releases. Gilroy also shared insights on how the three-episode "movie" format emerged.
Sabina Graves (io9): Initially, Andor was planned to span five seasons, with each season covering a year, but that evolved into these three-episode film-like arcs. How much backstory was developed as the story progressed?
Tony Gilroy: At first, I thought, "Will it work? Will it be full of exposition?" I didn't want that, and if you asked me initially, I'd have thought I'd have to write a massive bible detailing every event between the episodes. But as we moved along, there were surprisingly few questions. We didn't need to go back and do heavy writing; conversations sufficed.
Io9: Genevieve, it was liberating to have this room to explore Mon Mothma's formative years in building the rebellion. The cathartic moment in episode three, Mon letting loose, stood out. Could you share insights on creating this scene?
Genevieve O'Reilly: The first three episodes cover three days at Mon's ancestral home. The steeped history, rituals, and familial complexities create a rich backdrop for her journey. Mon's inner turmoil, the weight of familial tension, and Luthen's brutal honesty all come together in the climax of these episodes. The celebration scene represents not just the event but also a woman wrestling with her internal chaos.
Io9: It's a stunning, emotional moment, and the dancing and drinking add a layer of depth. Tony, why did you choose to intercut this moment with where everyone else was at this critical juncture?
Gilroy: My brother John, the post-production master, helped build this emotional crescendo. We've learned how to create these powerful moments in previous films, and we did it in the first season's funeral. Here, we're using electronic dance music, creating a contrast between Cassian saving the day, Mon with blood on her hands, Eedy's arrival, and many more storylines all unfolding simultaneously. Moreover, it binds the audience to Mon, as only we and she truly understand her predicament.
Andor is now streaming on Disney+. Stay tuned for updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who!
Tony Gilroy, the showrunner of Andor, revealed that the show was initially planned for five seasons, but evolved into three-episode "movie" arcs, with fewer questions and less need for backstory development as the story progressed.
Genevieve O'Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma in the show, discussed the cathartic moment in episode three where Mon lets loose, stating that this scene was set against a rich backdrop of Mon's formative years, familial complexities, and inner turmoil.
Gilroy also shared that the emotional climax of this scene was built by intercutting it with other critical storylines, creating a contrast between different characters and plotlines unfolding simultaneously.
ion9 points out that the celebration scene not only represents a significant event, but also symbolizes a woman wrestling with her internal chaos.
Andor, with its thrilling world of Star Wars rebellion, is now streaming on Disney+, and viewers can expect updates on various famous franchises, including Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who in the entertainment world.
Gilroy's revelation about the evolution of the show format implicitly highlights the increasing trend in television to create more cinematic experiences, approaching storytelling from a filmic perspective.
