Andorwill return for its second and final season in April 2025, but how will these episodes fit into theStar Warstimeline? The first season ofAndorwas set in 5 BBY, meaning the story takes place five years before the Death Star’s destruction at the Battle of Yavin inA New Hope. BecauseAndorseason 1 takes place in a single year, this naturally raises questions abouthow the show will cover the remaining four years of Cassian Andor’s story (if at all).
Thankfully,Andorcreator/showrunner Tony Gilroy has clarified when the upcoming episodes take placein theStar Warstimelineand how season 2 will be structured. This makes it easy to determine what otherStar Warsstories occur around the same time asAndorseason 2, especially with available reference books likeStar Wars: Timelinesfrom DK Publishing. FindingAndorseason 2’s place in theStar Warstimeline may offer clues about the plot of each story arc and cultivate a greater appreciation of the events leading up toRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Andor Season 2’s Four Arcs Explained
One arc per year (in-universe)
According to Gilroy,Andorseason 2 will once again consist of 12 episodes split into four arcs, similar to the structure of season 1. However, unlike every season 1 arc continuing into the next, there will be a time gap between each three-episode arc. This means the first episode of season 2 will begin a year after the events of season 1, followed by one arc every year leading up to the end of Cassian’s journey inRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Gilroy discussed the challenge of having time jumps to show Cassian’s four-year growthwhile still making each arc feel like the next logical point to continue the story. The creative team approached the process by asking"what’s the most important three, four, five days a year later that tell you everything you need to know…?“With this layout, there is now confirmation about howAndorseason 2’s timeline placement relates to the rest of theStar Warsfranchise.
How Andor Season 2’s First Arc Fits Into The Timeline
4 BBY
The first three episodes ofAndorseason 2 will be set in 4 BBY, approximately one year after the events of season 1. It is around this time that Ezra Bridger, Kanan Jarrus, and the rest of theGhostcrew have begun to openly challenge the Galactic Empire on the planet Lothol.Other rebel cells begin to join forces against a common enemy, catching the attention of the Imperial Inquisitors and even Darth Vader himself. Former Jedi Ahsoka Tano reemerges as the rebel spy Fulcrum, aided by Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan.
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Because the Rebel Alliance has not been formed from the various rebel factions, it is unlikely that the first arc ofAndorseason 2 will cross over withStar Wars Rebels. Unlike many modernStar Warsmovies and TV shows,Andorgenerally avoids excessive easter eggs and fan service, only utilizing elements necessary to its story. However, because Luthen Rael has his own covert spy network, it’s possible that Fulcrum could be mentioned. The series has already heavily featured Senator Mon Mothma, so it would be logical for Bail Organa to appear at some point.
How Andor Season 2’s Second Arc Fits Into The Timeline
3 BBY
Andorseason 2’s next three episodes will jump ahead to 3 BBY, a major turning point for several rebel characters.Princess Leia Organa turns 16 and prepares to face the trials necessary to claim her right to the throne of Alderaan, but matters become complicated when she discovers that her parents are working to form a rebellion. Although they are initially hesitant, Leia eventually convinces them to let her help, and one of her missions leads her to Ezra Bridger and theGhostcrew on Lothol.
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However, the rebels soon face a terrible tragedy when the Jedi’s mission to the ancient world of Malachor goes wrong. Ahsoka Tano is presumed dead following a duel with Darth Vader, Kanan Jarrus is blinded by Darth Maul, and Ezra Bridger is pushed close to the dark side. With Ahsoka’s disappearance,Andorseason 2 could mention a hole in Luthen’s spy network, orMon Mothma could bump into Bail or Leia Organa in the Senate building on Coruscant.
How Andor Season 2’s Third Arc Fits Into The Timeline
2 BBY
The third arc ofAndorseason 2 will be set in 2 BBY, a significant turning point in the history of the Rebellion. With theGhostcrew and their rebel cell remaining a persistent problem, the Empire brings in the recently promoted Grand Admiral Thrawn to deal with the problem. Meanwhile,Mon Mothma publicly resigns from the Imperial Senateand finally succeeds in uniting the various rebel factions into one Rebel Alliance. However, Thrawn eventually tracks down theGhostcrew’s rebel cells and forces them to abandon their base, relocating to the rebel headquarters on Yavin 4.
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This arc is whereAndorseason 2 begins to have more potential with referencing events in otherStar Warsprojects. As a central character inAndorseason 1, Mon Mothma’s speech to the Senate and her formation of the Rebel Alliance will have to be addressed in some way, andCassian would have to commit to the larger Rebellion and relocate to Yavin 4. Since characters like Colonel Yularen appeared inAndorseason 1, Thrawn could be referenced in season 2, caught in a game of cat and mouse with Luthen.
How Andor Season 2’s Fourth Arc Fits Into The Timeline
1 BBY
Andorseason 2’s fourth and final arc will take place in 1 BBY, the same year as the events ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story. This year is the end of a journey for theGhostcrew, with one member dying and another disappearing into hyperspace alongside Grand Admiral Thrawn.Other rebels go about their lives unaware of the role they will soon play in galactic history, from the Guardians of the Whills fighting back on Jedha to Jyn Erso getting arrested by the Empire.
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As the final arc ofAndor’s last season, these episodes would have the greatest justification in featuring familiar characters, locations, and events. TheGhostcrew were presumably on Yavin 4 at the same time as Cassian, providing an opportunity for him to meet them onscreen.The final episode ofAndorcould lead directly intoRogue One, just as that movie led directly into the events ofA New Hope. For now, these possibilities are mere speculation, but it gives fans plenty to look forward to whenAndorseason 2 cements its place in theStar Warstimeline.
Andor
Cast
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
