The new Disney+ Star Wars series Andor is a prequel to Rogue One and takes place five years before in the Star Wars Timeline.
Andor takes place approximately 20 years after Revenge of the Sith and five years before Rogue One and A New Hope. Based on the setting of the series, the events of Andor will run parallel to at least the first season of Rebels.
In the Star Wars universe, Andor takes place in 5 BBY. BBY stands before the Battle of Yavin, the space battle where Luke blows up the Death Star at the end of A New Hope.
Here is where Andor fits in the Star Wars chronology compared to other films and series:
- 32 BBY – Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- 22 BBY – Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- 22 – 19 BBY Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
- 19 BBY – Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- 19 BBY – Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-present)
- 13 BBY – Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) [Prologue]
- 13 BBY – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) [Prologue]
- 10 BBY – Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- 9 BBY – Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
- 5 BBY – Andor (2022)
- 5 – 0 BBY – Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018)
- 0 BBY – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- 0 BBY / 0 ABY – Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- 3 ABY – Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- 4 ABY – Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
- 5 ABY – Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018) [Epilogue]
- 9 ABY – The Mandalorian (2019-present)
- 9 ABY – The Book of Boba Fett (2021-present)
- 34 ABY – Star Wars: Resistance (2018-2020)
- 34 ABY – Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- 34 ABY – Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- 35 ABY – Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
What Do You Need to Watch Before Starting Andor?
Since Andor is a prequel to Rogue One, you technically do not need to watch anything. Showrunner Tony Gilroy said he intended the show to be accessible by all viewers, not just Star Wars fans.
That said, you should have a general understanding of the Star Wars universe, especially the struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.
If you’re looking for a pre-Andor watch list, consider Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, and A New Hope. Elements of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Solo, and Rebels may also play in, so consider adding them. Since there are four seasons of Rebels, you can save time by reading the episode summaries on Wikipedia.
When Does Star Wars Andor Come Out?
Andor premieres on Disney+ on September 21, 2022 with the first three episodes. There are 12 episodes in season one, with the remaining nine episodes coming out each Wednesday through November 23.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Tony Gilroy | September 21, 2022 |
| 2 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Tony Gilroy | September 21, 2022 |
| 3 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Tony Gilroy | September 21, 2022 |
| 4 | TBA | Susanna White | Dan Gilroy | September 28, 2022 |
| 5 | TBA | Susanna White | Dan Gilroy | October 5, 2022 |
| 6 | TBA | Susanna White | Dan Gilroy | October 12, 2022 |
| 7 | TBA | Benjamin Caron | Stephen Schiff | October 19, 2022 |
| 8 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Beau Willimon | October 26, 2022 |
| 9 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Beau Willimon | November 2, 2022 |
| 10 | TBA | Toby Haynes | Beau Willimon | November 9, 2022 |
| 11 | TBA | Benjamin Caron | Tony Gilroy | November 16, 2022 |
| 12 | TBA | Benjamin Caron | Tony Gilroy | November 23, 2022 |
A second 12-episode season is already in development. Season two is expected to conclude the limited series and lead up to the events of Rogue One.
What Do We Know About Andor So Far?
Andor stars Diego Luna, reprising his Rogue One role as Cassian Andor. Set five years before Rogue One and A New Hope, the series centers around Andor as a thief who eventually becomes a Rebel spy.
The series takes place during the time when the Rebel Alliance forms against the Galactic Empire and features an ensemble cast of Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Fiona Shaw.
O’Reilly reprises her role as Senator Mon Mothma, the leader of the Rebel Alliance. She appeared as Mothma in Revenge of the Sith and, later, Rogue One. Mon Mothma first appeared in Return of the Jedi, played by Caroline Blakiston.
Forest Whitaker reprises his role as rebel leader Saw Gerrera. He previously portrayed the live-action Gerrera in Rogue One and voiced the animated character in the Rebels series. Gerrera first appeared in season five of the animated series The Clone Wars and, later, in Rebels, Rogue One, and The Bad Batch.
The show also features Anton Lesser, Kathryn Hunter, Robert Emms, David Hayman, Alex Ferns, Clemens Schick, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Given his recent appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi, it is possible that Jimmy Smits could reprise his role as Bail Organa for Andor. In addition to the Kenobi series, Smits played Organa in Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, and Rogue One.
It is possible, however unlikely, that we could get our first look at the Ghost crew in live action since both Andor and Rebels take place in the same year, 5 BBY.
Although Kathleen Kennedy announced that Alan Tudyk would reprise his role of K-2SO, Tudyk later confirmed he would not appear in the first season due to changes in the story. However, there are plans for K-2SO to appear in Andor in the future.
Rogue One co-writer Tony Gilroy serves as showrunner, replacing original showrunner Stephen Schiff. Gilroy wrote five episodes, with his brother Dan Gilroy, Stephen Schiff, and Beau Willimon writing the rest of the series.
Toby Haynes, Susanna White, and Benjamin Caron serve as directors for the series. Tony Gilroy originally planned to direct a number of episodes but could not travel to the UK for filming due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rooks is an SEO strategist, copywriter, and content editor who occasionally masquerades as a designer, photographer, brewer, or cook.
A lifelong Star Wars geek, his earliest memories are playing with Kenner action figures while watching the Original Trilogy on VHS. Aside from keeping up with the latest Star Wars content, he enjoys living out his own Star Wars story at Galaxy’s Edge East.
Rooks is passionate about cooking and loves discussing and occasionally writing about food, beer, and cocktails. Never far from his emotional support laptop, you can often find him hammering out words at local coffee shops or breweries around Orlando.
His other interests include starting a new hobby every week, watching old Columbo episodes, and avoiding folding the laundry. Aside from Star Wars, his fandoms include the MCU, Harry Potter, Battlestar Galactica, and the Lord of the Rings.