Andor - Season 1

“It’s surprising to see a Star Wars series handle an interracial lesbian relationship with so much sensitivity, but it’s certainly welcome.”

Title: Andor
Episodes Reviewed: Season 1
Creator: Tony Gilroy 👨🏼🇺🇸
Writers: Tony Gilroy 👨🏼🇺🇸 (5 eps), Dan Gilroy 👨🏼🇺🇸 (3 eps), Beau Williams 👨🏼🇺🇸 (3 eps), and Stephen Schiff 👨🏼🇺🇸 (1 ep)

Reviewed by Sam 🧑🏻🇺🇸🌈

Technical: 4.5/5

Andor dives into the origin story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a main character from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Set after the franchise’s prequel films, it cleverly builds up the wider universe while delivering a moving story about political resistance. The series appeals to both avid Star Wars fans and TV viewers looking for a thrilling, action-packed drama to watch.

Viewers follow Cassian’s journey as a hardscrabble thief who becomes a passionate Rebel, fighting back against the evil Empire that’s trying to control the galaxy. The first season shows his upbringing on the colonized planet of Kenari, providing insights into his character and illustrating why he is who he is in Rogue One. By leaning into moral dilemmas and allowing Cassian to be flawed, Andor makes its protagonist both well-rounded and sympathetic.

Supporting characters also fight against fascism. In “One Way Out” (Season 1, Episode 10), Cassian works with a fellow prisoner, Kino Loy (Andy Serkis), to organize a riot and escape. Although Kino only appears for three episodes, his easy rapport with Cassian and his unwavering determination make him deeply memorable.

In today’s political climate, Andor is more relevant than ever. The inspiring tale of battling oppression serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s always a way to find hope.

Gender: 3.5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES

With Season 1 written entirely by men, it isn’t too surprising that Andor focuses on male characters. Per its title, Andor revolves around its male lead and also has secondary male roles like Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), a law enforcement officer who has dedicated his life to serving the Empire, and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), a Rebel operative who recruits Cassian on a mission.

However, the show does have positive female characters. On the light side, pursuing peace and freedom, Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) are a Rebel couple who lead a pivotal and dangerous heist to steal the Empire’s funds. On the opposing dark side, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) is an Imperial supervisor who ruthlessly pursues the Rebels and quashes the trouble caused by Cassian.

Additionally, Andor highlights Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), a Rebel-supporting senator first seen in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). She’s shown balancing expectations around being a woman senator, going up against the glass ceiling, and secretly helping the Rebel cause. Her desire to create change while working within an oppressive system nicely contrasts the way Cassian and his associates dismantle it from the outside.

Unfortunately, some of the show’s women—notably Bix (Adria Arjona), Cassian’s close friend—are underdeveloped. Arguably, Bix has her own life and motivations outside of Cassian, such as her job as a mechanic at a salvage yard she inherited after her parents’ death. But viewers aren’t privy to her inner world, nor to the lives of other women of color, such as Cinta, who’s similarly glossed over.

Race: 4/5

When Mexican actor Luna accepted the role in Rogue One, he was initially hesitant, feeling out of place because nobody in the Star Wars universe had ever sounded like him. But by deciding to keep his accent for the character of Cassian, he delighted many Star Wars fans who weren’t expecting dialogue in anything other than American or British accents.

Andor supports the groundwork Rogue One laid by showing why Cassian’s speech differs from those of other characters, delving into his past as an Indigenous Kenari who watched the Empire mine and drain the planet’s resources. In flashbacks to Kenari, the show reveals that Cassian’s original name is Kassa. He was a child when he, and the only other surviving children on the planet, made a living in the jungle. Later, he was adopted by scavengers Maarva (Fiona Shaw) and Clem Andor (Gary Beadle), who were worried the Republic might capture or harm him.

By building out Cassian’s past of struggling against exploitation, the show incorporates themes of colonialism, survival, and displacement—narratives that resonate deeply with the real-world histories of Indigenous and Latin American communities.

That said, despite Andor’s welcome commentary about anti-colonialism, the cast isn’t especially diverse. Luna isn’t Indigenous, and in the supporting cast, there are only two significant characters of color: Bix, portrayed by Puerto Rican actress Arjona, and Cinta, played by British Indian actress Sethu. And as mentioned above, neither Bix nor Cinta are particularly fleshed out.

LGBTQ: 4/5

One of the main romances takes place between two women, Vel and Cinta. While it's never made explicit in the series, they almost always appear together. Characters make allusions, like Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrah), a member of the Rebel heist, telling Andor that Cinta is “already sharin’ a blanket” with someone.

What’s beautiful about Vel and Cinta’s relationship is that they don’t need fanfare to prove their love. Compared to the brief kiss shared between two background women in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)—so inconsequential that several international versions of the film easily cut the scene—the two share a quiet and slow intimacy that’s especially sweet given Andor’s wartime setting. They continuously express care for each other, such as Cinta asking Vel to promise that she would be all right before they part ways to carry out a mission.

It’s surprising to see this franchise handle an interracial lesbian relationship with so much sensitivity, but it’s certainly welcome. Hopefully, Season 2 will explore how the progression of the rebellion affects Vel and Cinta.

Mediaversity Grade: B 4.00/5

With its second and final season coming out next month, Andor has already secured its place as a notable entry to the Star Wars universe. Not only does it have a heartfelt sapphic romance, but it also makes important commentary about Indigenous liberation via a strong main character played by a Mexican actor.

While the series could improve the way women’s stories are told, particularly those for women of color, Andor offers a rich and politically nuanced narrative that redefines what representation can look like in a galaxy far, far away.

Like Andor? Try these other Star Wars titles.

*Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (2017)*

Grade: BLiMarch 29, 2025