Genevieve O’Reilly Reveals Mon Mothma’s Hidden Chaos and Secrets in Andor Season 2

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[This story contains spoilers for Andor season two’s three-episode premiere.]

After more than 16 years, actress Genevieve O’Reilly has found the answer to a question she’s pondered since she started portraying Mon Mothma in 2005’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”

Genevieve O’Reilly, who played Andor’s character in Star Wars, has finally discovered the answer to a question she’s been wondering about since she first appeared as Mon Mothma in 2005’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Upon re-watching Caroline Blakiston’s initial portrayal of the former Chandrilan senator and Rebel Alliance leader in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” (1983), a deep sense of turmoil seemed to resonate from Mon Mothma. This emotional depth has been a puzzle that I’ve been trying to unravel through her appearances in “The Clone Wars”, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, and now, “Andor”. However, the creative decisions made by Tony Gilroy during the creation of “Andor” have clouded Mon Mothma’s two-season journey, making it harder to fully understand the clarity I’ve been seeking.

Throughout Andor, my curiosity has been primarily focused on this. To some extent, this is what I’ve been searching for, and I believe we managed to uncover not just that but even more,” O’Reilly shares with The Hollywood Reporter.

In the third episode of Andor season two, written by Gilroy and directed by Ariel Kleiman, Luthen Rael, leader of the Axis network, grows suspicious of Mon’s friend and Rebellion financier, Tay Kolma, due to his recent marital and financial issues. Ironically, Tay’s involvement in the rebellion activities ended up damaging his finances. When Mon realizes Luthen’s intentions, she goes to the dance floor at her daughter’s arranged wedding and lets loose with her emotions. The scene then shifts to Cinta Kaz, one of Luthen’s trusted Rebel operatives, who has been assigned to pose as Tay’s driver and eliminate him.

As a gamer, I find myself biting my tongue hard, trying to hold back the scream that wants to burst out. I’m watching my friend slowly fall apart, and it’s making me incredibly uneasy. Luthen is completely engrossed in him, his eyes never leaving him. At one point, he utters, “You know the number,” and that seems like a significant hurdle for me to overcome.

In a recent chat about spoilers with THR, I too shared some insights about my latest stints on Ashoka amidst the breaks of Andor’s seasons. As we move forward, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me as Mon Mothma!

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Among all the activities you may have envisioned yourself doing as Mon Mothma, losing yourself in a frenzy of electronic dance music while under the influence, wouldn’t have been among them, would it?

As a gamer, it was quite an exciting revelation to witness the script’s final scene unfold after countless hours of rehearsals with choreographers, directors, and cameramen. The ending in the script wasn’t entirely clear, but we knew it had to delve into her inner world. Tony [Gilroy] penned something intriguing: “She spins and spins.” I was captivated by the mystery of chaos within a woman’s mind, and the way we concluded was a brilliant contrast to any previous portrayal of this character. She’s on the verge of an outburst, holding it all in.

Indeed, managing both the responsibilities as a senator and covertly leading the Rebellion would already be quite taxing, but to add to her worries, she’s also arranging a wedding for her daughter, a necessity for her safety. It’s safe to say she’s under an incredible amount of stress.

As a gamer, I find myself constantly amazed by her character’s ability to keep her emotions in check under the pressure of maintaining diplomacy. It’s like she’s walking on a tightrope without a safety net, because if she slips up even once, her effectiveness for the Rebellion is compromised. She becomes an almost useless piece in their grand scheme.

Playing this character is like being a part of an intricate puzzle where every move matters. There are moments when I can connect with the audience on a deeper level, letting them glimpse the struggles she faces in keeping her true feelings hidden from the other characters. It’s a delicate dance that requires careful planning and precise execution.

In this scenario, Tay Kolma brings up Mon’s unexpected marital and financial troubles, and Luthen advises her to find a figure that silences him. However, considering how Perrin, Mon’s husband (played by Alastair Mackenzie), views their friendship, isn’t it possible that Tay has ulterior motives beyond just money, given that he jokingly calls him Mon’s “lover” and “boyfriend”?

Ben Miles is someone extraordinary, yet he currently seems detached and disconnected. From Mon’s point of view, he appears to be fraying at the edges, searching for false idols, and even succumbing to temptation, if you will. His fascination with Davo Sculdun [Richard Dilane] is evident, and this infatuation manifests in various ways. This unraveling of a friend is distressing to Mon, so it raises concerns about his state of mind. Luthen, however, remains laser-focused on him. At one point, he says, ‘You know the number,’ which is a significant hurdle she must overcome.

Hey there! So, back when we chatted, I remember mentioning a sort of “pain” I felt from Caroline Blakiston’s Mon Mothma in Return of the Jedi. I was wondering what that pain represented, right? Now, after watching this episode block and the whole season, do you think it’s safe to say that my curiosity has been satisfied?

I appreciate your keen memory, it’s truly appreciated. It has been the driving force behind my curiosity throughout the series [Andor]. In relation to what Caroline and George Lucas initially created, that’s exactly what I was aiming for, and I believe we have surpassed it. The intricate, intelligent, flawed, yet captivating portrayal of this woman in [Andor] exceeds any expectations I had. To be given the breadth to perform in [Andor], as an actor and for Mon as a character, is not just a professional privilege but a genuine gift.

Did you perform as Ahsoka during the gap between seasons one and two of Andor, and did you find it challenging or confusing to portray a different period in her life while continuing her storyline within the series?

It was quite a contrast for me because “Andor” is all about exploring characters in depth. Consequently, my focus and creativity were primarily there. The significant work that Rosario [Dawson], Dave [Filoni], and Jon [Favreau] were doing for the women in “[Ahsoka]” seemed crucial to the universe, so they asked me to join in and contribute. However, I wasn’t entirely sure where it fit, and truthfully, I didn’t probe too much. I simply felt that I grasped the essence of the woman; I understood her. So, I believed it was their responsibility to create, leaving the decision-making to them. Meanwhile, I was immersed in Mon Mothma’s psychology on “Andor”.

Do you get the sense that Lucasfilm isn’t done with your Mon Motha just yet? 

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been immersed in the captivating world of Andor like never before. Unlike traditional games where the game master guides you, here she lets you know the storyline and then sends characters off on a mission. This time, they’ve really expanded the narrative for this character, giving her space to shine.

I’ve learned from past experiences not to underestimate surprises and always leave room for unpredictability, saying “I don’t know” and “never say never.”

My team and I have put a lot of effort into Andor, hoping it adds depth and richness not just to the character, but to Star Wars and Lucasfilm as a whole. I can only hope that our work enhances the tapestry of this beloved universe.

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Andor season two’s three-episode premiere is now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-04-24 01:25