Tony Gilroy, creator of Andor, and Genevieve O'Reilly, the actress portraying Mon Mothma, discuss the crucial dance scene in the series, delving into its symbolism and Mon Mothma's pivotal role.
Dive into the action-packed episodes of Andor's second season, streaming now on Disney+, as it plunges us headfirst into the chaotic early days of the rebellion within the Star Wars universe.
In an exclusive chat with io9, showrunner Tony Gilroy and star Genevieve O'Reilly shed light on the final moments of episode three, as well as the innovative way these impactful years have been transformed into three-episode movie arcs.
io9: Sabina Graves: Given the initial plan for Andor to run five seasons, each covering a year, that morphed into these three-episode arc "movies". How much backstory was provided and developed as you went along?
Tony Gilroy: At first, I thought, "Oh my god, is it going to work? Will it involve lots of exposition?" But I didn't want a bunch of "Since last I saw you..." moments. As we went along, I found there were fewer questions. I didn't need to write extensive memos about what happened in between. Conversations sufficed.
io9: Genevieve O'Reilly: These first three episodes cover three days in Mon Mothma's life. They're set in her ancestral home, deeply rooted in the arcane rituals of her family. We learn so much through context and dialogue, making her development feel organic and immersive.
The climax of these episodes is a powerful dance sequence where Mon Mothma unleashes her inner chaos. This moment beautifully binds the audience to her, as only she and we, the viewers, truly understand her internal struggles.
io9: Tony Gilroy: The build-up to the end of episode three is a complex crescendo, incorporating both the celebration and the tragic moments. It orchestrates a deep emotional connection with the audience, keeping them invested in the show's evolution.
Andor continues to push the boundaries of Star Wars storytelling, offering a fresh take on the epic saga. Stay tuned for updates on your favorite sci-fi franchises, including Marvel, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and more, right here on io9.
- The future of Andor on Disney+ promises more action-packed episodes, similar to the ones already streaming, delving further into the early days of the rebellion within the Star Wars universe.
- Gizmodo recently reported an intriguing change in the show's initial plan – instead of five seasons, each covering a year, it has transformed into three-episode movie arcs.
- According to showrunner Tony Gilroy, as the production progressed, there was less need for extensive backstory explanations, as conversations between characters were enough to flesh out the story.
- In an interview with io9, Genevieve O'Reilly talked about the first three episodes of Andor, revealing that they cover three days in Mon Mothma's life and immerse the audience in her family's ancient rituals.
- One impactful moment in these episodes is a powerful dance sequence where Mon Mothma expresses her inner turmoil, creating a strong bond between the audience and her character.
- Aside from keeping up with Andor, entertainment enthusiasts can anticipate updates on other popular sci-fi franchises like Marvel, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and more, on io9's Movies-and-TV section.
