Star Wars’ Andor series showrunner avoided fan service at all costs

If you’re looking for an indulgent Star Wars show chock full of cameos, then Andor probably isn’t for you. The series is a prequel centered around Diego Luna’s character from Rogue OneA thief who became a rebel spy. And while characters from across the Star Wars universe — such as Rebel Alliance leader Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) — will make appearances throughout Andor, showrunner Tony Gilroy told IGN that he was more concerned with telling a good story than catering to fans’ demands.

“We didn’t want to do anything that was fan service,” explained Gilroy. “We never wanted to have anything… the mandate in the very beginning was that it would be as absolutely non-cynical as it could possibly be, that the show would just be real and honest.”

The 12-episode series, which has been delayed for a while, will debut on Disney Plus Sept. 21. In addition to Luna and O’Reilly, Andor also stars Stellan Skarsgård (Mamma Mia), Adria Arjona (MorbiusDenis Gough (Colette). Forest Whitaker plays Saw Gerrara again, the role he first played in Star Wars: The Clone WarsBefore appearing in Rogue One.