It’s official: We have a release date. Diego Luna’s Andor, which is set to follow the spy-turned-rebel hero Cassian Andor as he joins the fledgling Rebellion, will premiere on Disney+ with two episodes on August 31st. The first season of the series, which has already been confirmed to be a two season-journey that leads into Rogue One, has 12 episodes. The first trailer was also released during the Star Wars Celebration.
Andor will focus on Cassian Andor, the rebel spy who, alongside a group that included Jyn Erso, procured the plans for the Death Star. These plans would kick start the original Star Wars saga, with the end of Rogue One showing Princess Leia Organa in possession of said plans, Darth Vader in pursuit. From then on, Obi-Wan Kenobi would get involved, and so would Luke Skywalker, and the franchise set in a galaxy far, far away would be born.
In addition to Luna, Genevieve O’Reilly will return as Mon Mothma, and Forest Whitaker will appear as Saw Gerrera. New to the series are Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, Denise Gough, and Robert Emms, whose roles have yet to be confirmed by Disney.
Andor is set five years before the events of Rogue One and will provide fans with a look at the early days of the Rebellion and follow Cassian’s journey from jaded nihilist to selfless martyr willing to sacrifice himself for the cause. It is also expected to be a much more politically minded show, with star Luna referring to it as a refugee journey.
Rogue One has been the most critically acclaimed and well-received of the newer crop of Star Wars films, so it’s no surprise to see Diego Luna reprise his role as Cassian Andor. And though many fans are excited for this look at the early days of the Rebellion, we’re incredibly excited to see Luna come back to a galaxy that, thanks to him, doesn’t feel as far away from our communities as it did before.
Andor will release its first two episodes on August 31st on Disney+.