On program! The Rogue Ones: A Star Wars Andor Podcast returns with hosts Mike DeAngelo and The Playlist’s Editor-In-Chief, Rodrigo Perez. As with the previous episodes, each week, our hosts will recap and review the latest “Andor” episode and welcome cast members and creatives from the show to discuss all things “Andor” and all the intrigue and machination of the “Star Wars” galaxy.
In the eighth episode of The Rogue Ones, our hosts break down their thoughts on Episode 10 of “Andor,” entitled “One Way Out,” which dropped on Disney+ today. After the discussion, actor Andy Serkis (“Lord of the Rings,” “War for the Planet of the Apes,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “The Batman”) joins the podcast to talk about re-joining the Star Wars universe as another character, Kino Loy.
For the uninitiated, “Andor” serves as a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which itself was set just before the events of “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” The Lucasfilm series follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) five years before meeting Jyn Erso and the gang in ‘Rogue One,’ as he finds himself thrust into the middle of a budding rebel cell with plans to put a stick in the Empire’s eye. It’s a first for the Star Wars universe, as it acts as a political spy thriller that really considers the age of oppression, life during wartime, and what it’s like to be on the ground as a member of the rebel alliance and as a member of the Imperial Army. Going even deeper, “Andor” really examines what it’s like for everyday people struggling under an oppressive regime. The show also stars Stellan Skarsgard, Genevieve O’Reilly, Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw, and more.
During the interview, Andy Serkis detailed his reluctance to join the “Star Wars” universe, if only because of the fan theories it would spawn.
“I lived through all of the Snoke theories [on the Sequel Trilogy] and just thought, ‘Oh no, this isn’t going to be good. What can of worms is this going to open up?” Serkis shared. “And so I did consider, ‘Is this a good idea?’ Because it’s just going to confuse the hell out of people but, I was such a big fan of ‘Rogue One’ and when Tony Gilroy first talked to me about it, he was very compelling and he didn’t have to convince me because he’s such a great storyteller, great filmmaker, and brilliant writer, and producer and showrunner.”
“But he really got me with when he was explaining the arc of this character and obviously where he ends up in this series,” he continued. “So, it really spoke to me because the ‘Andor’ series, like ‘Rogue One,’ feels very grounded. In a sense, it’s the grey area of ‘Star Wars,’ and we are used to much more black and white, sort of dark and light choices. And so, this is a very murky end of the swimming pool to be in with Andor. And Cassian’s journey mixing with all of this political intrigue and seeing characters really going through it. The psychological depth of every single role and the amazing cast that it’s attracted to. And so, for all of those reasons, it seemed like a good idea, and I could hopefully assuage the rumor mill and not get people too confused.”
And just to make his point clear to all of the fanboys saying Snoke and Kino are one and the same, Serkis put the final nail in the coffin.
“Yeah, [Kino] is definitely not related in any way, shape, or form to Snoke. Let’s just get that clear,” the actor explained.
So, is that the end of Kino Loy? Serkis has his theories, but he’s supposedly as in the dark as anyone else.
“Yes, he escapes! And he meets up in Season 2 with Cassian!” Serkis joked. “No, I have no idea…I’ve had enough screen deaths in my time to know that . I made it through this one, sort of, kind of. And there aren’t that many prison guards on Narkina 5 because they didn’t need them – it’s all electrified, so I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Here’s our complete podcast breakdown of “Andor,” episode ten, plus our entire conversation with Andy Serkis.
The Rogue Ones is part of The Playlist Podcast Network—which includes The Playlist Podcast, Be Reel, Deep Focus, The Fourth Wall, The Discourse, Bingeworthy, and more—and can be heard on Apple Podcasts, AnchorFM, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and now on Spotify. Be sure to subscribe and drop us a comment or a rating, as we appreciate it. Thank you for listening.
