The best Star Wars TV show could have been Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible in space
Disney’s Andor, widely praised as the best Star Wars series produced by the studio, underwent significant creative changes during development. According to the official behind-the-scenes book The Art of Andor, the original concept for the acclaimed gritty sci-fi series differed substantially from what showrunner Tony Gilroy ultimately delivered.
The initial creative driving force centered on the mystery surrounding Cassian Andor from his first appearance in Rogue One, focusing on understanding how the cold, aloof character evolved into the leader who would partner with Jyn Erso on the critical Death Star plans retrieval mission. This character-driven mystery formed the foundation of the show’s original direction before its eventual transformation into the acclaimed political thriller that aired from 2022-2025.
The revelation comes from The Art of Andor, an official companion book documenting the series’ development and production, offering fans and critics insight into the creative decisions that shaped one of Star Wars’ most critically successful projects to date.