Star Wars' Andor boss teases "huge scope" of new prequel series

The showrunner for upcoming Star Wars series Andor has given fans an insight into the structure of the prequel.

Set five years before the events of Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One, released in 2016, the Disney+ series focuses on disillusioned protagonist Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he eventually joins the Rebellion.

According to the show's boss Tony Gilroy, the first 12-episode season will explore the first of those five years, where viewers will get to see a cynical side to Andor.

Related: Star Wars unveils first trailer and release date for Rogue One spin-off Andor show

"The scale of the show is so huge," Gilroy told Empire. "Directors work in blocks of three episodes, so we did four blocks [in season 1] of three episodes each."

Andor's second season has already been confirmed. This will also have 12 episodes and will focus on the remaining four years, leading into Rogue One.

"We looked and said, 'Wow, it'd be really interesting if we come back, and we use each block [of three episodes] to represent a year," said Gilroy.

Related: Taika Waititi delivers disappointing update on his Star Wars movie

He added: "We'll move a year closer with each block. From a narrative point of view, it's really exciting to be able to work on something where you do a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then jump a year."

Alongside Luna, the series stars Marvel's Stellan Skarsgård and Morbius' Adria Arjona, as well as Genevieve O'Reilly, who reprises the role of Rebel Alliance founder Mon Mothma from Revenge of the Sith, and Forest Whitaker, returning as Saw Gerrera from Rogue One.

Killing Eve star Fiona Shaw will also appear, along with Robert Emms, Denise Gough, David Hayman and Kyle Soller.

Andor premieres on Disney+ on August 31. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the entire Skywalker Saga are available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K now, as well as on Disney+, while Rise of Skywalker is also on Sky Cinema Premiere and NOW.

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Stefania Sarrubba

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).