Hundreds of Star Wars fans filled the Writers’ Guild Theater in Los Angeles on Friday night for An Evening With Andor, a PaleyLive finale event honoring the critically acclaimed Disney+ series. The atmosphere was electric as cast and crew members gathered to reflect on the impact of Andor, one of the most beloved entries in the Star Wars universe.
Star-Studded Q&A and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The evening kicked off with a special screening of Episode 9, followed by an extended Q&A session. Stars Diego Luna, Adria Arjona, Ben Mendelsohn, Genevieve O’Reilly, and executive producers Tony Gilroy and Sanne Wohlenberg joined comedian and longtime Star Wars fan Patton Oswalt for an in-depth discussion about the making of the series.
Tony Gilroy Hints at a Break From the Star Wars Universe
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet, Andor creator Tony Gilroy hinted that his time in the Star Wars galaxy may be coming to a pause.
“Rogue is ten years ago, and this is six years of my life, and it’s 26 hours of programming,” Gilroy said. “Never say never, but I want to direct again. Not right now.”
Despite stepping away, Gilroy shared his favorite scene and a moment he regrets not including — a character-focused scene involving Eedy at Luthen’s gallery, which he described as “a half-hour scene” he wished he had written.
Luna and Cast Reflect on Intense Filming Moments
Diego Luna, who portrays Cassian Andor, recalled the emotionally charged Ghorman massacre sequence:
“It was so intense, deep, and emotional… multiple cameras, stunts, effects, fires, and detonations — it looked incredible.”
The cast praised the production team for crafting immersive practical sets, allowing the actors to fully inhabit their roles. Luna emphasized how realistic details — down to filled drawers and working kitchens — helped him live inside the world rather than simply perform.
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The Power of Performance: O’Reilly on Mon Mothma’s Speech
Genevieve O’Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma, described the emotional journey of delivering her character’s powerful anti-fascism speech — one of the series’ most memorable moments:
“I wanted to feel it… to stand up and give that speech many times so I could feel it as an actor.”
She praised the show for exploring themes of courage, fear, and conviction in ordinary people, allowing her to uncover Mon Mothma’s inner strength through the nuances of her delivery.
Creative Freedom Fueled the Series’ Excellence
Tony Gilroy credited the show’s success to the passionate energy across every department:
“We were able to inspire mania in every department… we let people go nuts, and every department was so happy to do all this crazy work.”
The finale event served not just as a celebration of Andor, but also as a tribute to the dedication, creativity, and emotional power that brought the series to life — and to the fans who made it a cultural touchstone.
