No Baby Yoda, No Andor: EP Credits The Mandalorian for Show’s Success

In about two and a half years, the second season of the Star Wars TV show, Andor, will air, following the highly praised first season. This is one of four live-action Star Wars series that have been released on Disney+ since 2019, with The Mandalorian being the first. Now, as we approach the release date for Andor Season 2 in the 2025 TV lineup, showrunner Tony Gilroy has shared some praise for The Mandalorian, acknowledging its success while discussing his own work on the Star Wars universe.

As a passionate cinephile immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I’ve noticed an intriguing contrast between “The Mandalorian” and “Andor.” While the former captivates the entire family with its lighter, more accessible tone that aligns perfectly with the all-ages fanbase of Star Wars, “Andor” is designed for a more mature audience.

During an enlightening conversation with Empire, Diego Luna (the man behind Cassian Andor) revealed that “Andor” wouldn’t have come to fruition without the success and popularity of “The Mandalorian.” Essentially, the resounding love for the former has paved the way for the creation of the latter.

The triumph of The Mandalorian served as our launching pad. It was their achievement that ignited everything else. In other words, without the fame of Baby Yoda and Andor, there wouldn’t have been anything to set in motion. And let me make it clear: we are well aware of this fact.

Five years have passed since the character we now call Grogu caused a social media frenzy at the end of the first episode of “The Mandalorian.” Since then, Baby Yoda has become a cultural phenomenon, and not only did two more seasons of “The Mandalorian” follow, but next year we’ll also get to see “The Mandalorian & Grogu” in theaters. It’s worth noting that the development of “Andor” was already underway before “The Mandalorian” debuted, but its successful launch certainly improved the odds for the success of the “Rogue One” prequel.

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In the course of this interview, Tony Gilroy hinted that a series similar to Andor might not recur, with The Mandalorian playing a significant part in ensuring this Cassian Andor story, as portrayed by Diego Luna, unfolded in the unique manner it did. To quote Gilroy directly:

It wasn’t due to our extraordinary nature, but rather because it’s unlikely anyone else will ever attempt something on such a grand scale again – both in terms of practical filming and financial resources. Furthermore, we were shielded at every step along the way. Kathy [Kennedy] safeguarded us, as did Lucasfilm, Bob Iger, the audience, and even The Mandalorian himself. Essentially, we had a multitude of supporters who stood behind our endeavor.

Andor’s first season unfolds five years prior to Rogue One’s events, depicting the transformation of our protagonist from a jaded outlaw to a Rebel soldier. The subsequent two seasons span the next four years, with three episodes airing weekly. Originally designed for a five-season journey, creator Tony Gilroy found it impractical midway through Season 1, leading to the emergence of this two-season narrative. If Gilroy’s assessment is accurate, we may never witness another series like this in a distant galaxy.

In a thrilling turn of events, the initial episodes of Andor Season 2 will be available on Disney+ starting Tuesday, April 22nd. Hot on its heels, The Mandalorian and Grogu return on May 22nd, 2026. As for other live-action Star Wars TV series, at present, Ahsoka Season 2 is the only one scheduled. Rest assured, we’ll keep you updated here on TopMob if there are any changes to this lineup.

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2025-04-08 16:07