Tony Gilroy Talks That “Andor” S2 Recasting

While the second season of “Andor” is avoiding fan service cameos where it can, that doesn’t mean the series isn’t entirely eschewing characters that are a part of greater “Star Wars” lore.

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR “ANDOR” SEASON 2, EPISODE 6

The second arc of the new season sees a familiar character return – Senator Bail Organa – but with a different face. Benjamin Bratt takes over the role of the character famously played by Jimmy Smits in the prequel films, in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series, and in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.

Smits is still very much acting these days, he’ll be seen with a short cameo in the upcoming “Dexter: Resurrection,” so on the surface it’s not clear why he didn’t return here.

Speaking with EW, showrunner Tony Gilroy said they actively tried to get him back:

“We couldn’t work it out. The scheduling didn’t work out. We really tried hard, but [Smits] wasn’t available and couldn’t make it.

[Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy] had the idea for Benjamin. It was just a brilliant idea. He’s a wonderful human being and really eager and beloved on set and really happy about what he does.

Organa is introduced in the sixth episode ahead of larger work in upcoming arcs. Gilroy discussed why that was done:

“It’s one of those situations where I want to do something simple. We don’t do many things that are unnecessary, but it’s like, ‘Let’s get him in here now so people can discuss it for a week and get it out of their system and then he can come back to really work.’ I didn’t want the guy’s work to be confused with his introduction.”

New episodes of “Andor” premiere Tuesdays at 9pm on Disney+.

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