Tony Gilroy Dishes on Andor Season 2: Budget Battles, Production Magic, and Legacy Surprises

With Andor Season 2 just one week away, showrunner Tony Gilroy sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to offer fans an in-depth look at what went into creating the highly anticipated final chapter of the Rogue One prequel series. Fresh off the premiere in Los Angeles, Gilroy opened up about everything from strike-era obstacles to the surprising absence of some legacy characters.

Gilroy revealed that he wrapped the writing process just six days before the WGA strike began in May 2023, allowing the team to continue filming uninterrupted until the SAG-AFTRA strike later that summer. He praised the production's agility, particularly in pulling off a complex shoot involving a 200-acre rye field timed to bloom for scenes on Mina-Rau.

Despite Andor’s modest viewership numbers early on, Gilroy says Disney stood by the team thanks in part to critical acclaim and a fanbase that grew over time. “We weren’t playing chicken,” he said of budget negotiations. “We just didn’t want to do it lame.”

The interview also touched on composer Nicholas Britell’s absence this season following the death of his father. Gilroy tapped Brandon Roberts to carry the musical torch, though Britell contributed themes and scored two episodes.

Historically rooted storytelling remains core to Andor, with Gilroy citing real events like the Nazi Wannsee Conference and the Reichstag fire as inspirations for the show’s portrayal of authoritarianism.

While some hoped-for legacy cameos didn’t make it due to budget or scheduling, Gilroy hinted at major moments ahead, particularly in the finale set on Yavin.

Season 2 promises a powerful sendoff—one that blends cinematic ambition with political depth. With Gilroy at the helm, Andor is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the Star Wars canon.