How does Andor fit in Star Wars?

The Disney+ series “Andor” set in the expansive Star Wars universe, takes place in the same time period as the 2014 animated series “Star Wars Rebels.” It is a prequel to the 2016 film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” It is also set in 5 BBY, five years before the Battle of Yavin. In “Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977),” The Battle of Yavin resulted in the destruction of the first Death Star and marked itself as one of the first significant victories of the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire.

Additionally, this also places the events of “Andor” five years before Princess Leia sends her distress signal to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Taking “Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (2005),” into consideration, the plot is set 14 years after the conclusion of the Clone Wars, with Chancellor Palpatine declaring himself the emperor and issuing Order 66, targeting the Jedi.

“Andor” unfolds 4 years after the developments in the 2022 mini-series “Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return,” and 14 years before the happenings in “The Mandalorian (2019).” This era is essential to understand how the resistance initially came into being, leading to a full-scale war against the Empire.

How Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Sets Up Andor

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)” is set immediately before the events of “Star Wars: A New Hope (1977).” It follows a group of Rebel operatives who are sent on a mission to retrieve the Death Star plans from the Empire. Cassian Andor is one of the leads, an intelligence officer working for the Rebel Alliance. He is a character who is willing to carry out any covert and morally difficult task on behalf of the Rebellion, including executing an informant in order to protect the mission.

Andor is tasked with escorting Jyn Erso, the daughter of Galen Erso. Galen is the genius scientist who designed the Death Star but also installed a weakness into it. Unknown to Jyn, Andor is also ordered to kill Galen; however, ultimately, he chooses not to follow through with the order. Their mission concludes with a successful transmission of the Death Star plans to the Rebellion. However, the members of the Rogue One team, including Andor, lose their lives in the process.

Disney+’s “Andor” explores his origin story and his life before the events of “Rogue One.” It begins at a point when the Rebellion is still scattered and in its initial stages. Andor is yet to be affiliated with the Rebel Alliance. The first season includes his encounters with the Imperial forces and his gradual involvement with the Rebel operatives. He helps establish the political and social conditions that lead up to the events in “Rogue One.” He transitions from a fairly disinterested outsider to a central figure in the rebellion that triggers the chain of events that enables Luke Skywalker to destroy the first Death Star.

What is the Andor Series about?

Disney+’s “Andor” traces the transformation of Cassian Andor from a survivor living on the fringes of the galaxy to the committed rebel in “Rogue One (2016).” Andor is originally from the Mid Rim jungle planet of Kenari. He was named Kassa and lived in a small forest camp along with his younger sister, Kerri. However, his life changed when he encountered Clem and Maarva Andor, who ended up adopting him. Kerri was left behind, and his new adoptive parents forged his identity. His new birth planet was named Fest, and he was brought to Ferrix to begin a new life.

Andor grew up under the Imperial occupation, and was a witness to the violent consequences of the resistance; his adoptive father Clem, was executed during a protest. His teenage years were filled with turbulence, with him at times ending up in detention centers. He was conscripted by the Empire as a cook during a conflict on Mimban, however, he deserted at the first chance.

As an adult, Andor continued his search for his lost sister and eventually ended up on the planet Morlana One. He was responsible for the deaths of two members of the Corporate Authority, which drew attention from both law enforcement and Luthen Rael, a member of the Rebel cause. Luthen recognized Andor’s potential and recruited him for a high-stakes mission on Aldhani that required them to steal from the Imperial vault.

Andor, despite initially doing it for the money, found himself getting pulled deeper into the rebellion. During his time on Niamos, he was arrested for loitering and sentenced to six years in the brutal Imperial prison on Narkina 5. Andor, along with Kino Loy, led a daring escape from the premises after realizing that their sentences were effectively permanent. Following his escape, Andor returns to Ferrix. However, his mother’s death and her final recorded words spark an uprising against the Empire. Inspired by her courage and the injustices that he himself has endured, he fully embraces the rebel cause.

What to expect from Andor Season 2

Describing the upcoming season, Diego Luna at the D23 event in 2024 stated that “The stakes are greater, the enemies more organized, and the clock is ticking.” Andor Season 2 premieres on April 22, 2025, with a 12-episode arc that follows Cassian Andor through the four years after Season 1 and leading up to the events of “Rogue One.”

Structured into four three-episode long narrative blocks, the show follows Andor as he becomes further entangled in the Rebel Alliance. The official trailer is an assortment of high-stakes missions, rising tensions within the Empire, and a constantly increasing pressure on the rebellion. Andor will also finally face the reprogrammed Imperial security droid K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) in this season.

Watch the official trailer for “Andor- Season 2” here: