The three-episode premiere of Andor, the newest entry into Star Wars canon, is approaching rapidly. Dubbed a "spy thriller" set in the Star Wars universe, Andor follows Cassian Andor's journey to becoming a key member of the fledgling Rebellion. Created by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Andor looks to fill in the story of how the Rebellion was born during the galaxy's tumultuous transition from Republic to Empire rule.
Andor serves as a prequel-to-a-prequel in a way, as it is directly related to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Rogue One introduced audiences to Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, and was co-written by Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy. Other members of Rogue One's cast also reprise their roles in Andor, including Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera and Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma.
One new character soon to be introduced in Andor is Maarva, played by Irish actor Fiona Shaw. Shaw is well-known for standout performances in the Harry Potter films as well as the BBC/AMC series Killing Eve. Shaw spoke with Screen Rant about stepping into the Star Wars universe and her character's relationship with Cassian Andor.
Fiona Shaw Talks Andor
Screen Rant: You're beyond accomplished as an actor, but you're quite well known being in Harry Potter and Killing Eve, where you play very strong women and caretakers who are also maybe not the most nurturing on the surface. How does Maarva compare to those other roles that you've had?
Fiona Shaw: That is a brilliant question. I've never compared Mrs. Dursley to Killing Eve, I never saw Carolyn as a mother at all. Clearly, she's not a very good one. Dysfunctional mothers, both of them. Or carers, as it were.
Maarva's by far the best of the three of those in terms of mothering. I think she's a proper person who knows how to look after a son. But we don't know. Obviously, one is a social dysfunction, and one is maybe an intellectual dysfunction. But with Maarva, she lived kind of a wild life, and then found a son who came to her, and took him home. And I think they probably have a different problem. It's not that Maarva's the problem. It's that Cassian doesn't know where his sister is, and can never quite yield entirely to being Maarva's son. Though he's grateful to have a mother, and really likes having a mother, that's part of his problem. It's that he's not found. He can't find himself. So, she functions as a mother. But actually, that makes her upset, because she can't intrude more.
But I've never thought of those three together! You've certainly given me a lift. They're completely different people to each other. And I like playing different people, obviously. It's more fun to play people who are remarkably different than people who are the same. Mrs. Dursley is not at all like Carolyn. Thank God they're not.
I saw an interview in which you mentioned that Andor kind of runs parallel to the current social climate, especially in the U.S. Was that part of what your interest was in taking the role?
Fiona Shaw: I think that was actually misinterpreted - I didn't do any interviews. I was foolishly on a BBC program... I had no particular interest in [the social commentary of] Andor except that, like all great pieces of writing, it undoubtedly reflects aspects. But it doesn't matter what side of the political fence you're standing on, it will have something for you in it. So I think that any view that says that we are being oppressed by another place, or any people thinking of rising up... it can be any side of any political realm.
It's about people having to live under something that they don't enjoy. I think that's quite interesting, because I think a lot of countries have that at the moment. We've got huge shifts of power bases that go on, and like all good artists, Tony [Gilroy] has somehow plugged into this destabilized moment we're in. But maybe the world has always been destabilized.
Andor Synopsis
Andor will explore a new perspective from theâ¯Star Warsâ¯galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.â¯
Check out our other interviews with Andor stars here:
The first three episodes of Andor premiere September 21 on Disney+.