Irish Ladies of Andor

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Star Wars has long included Irish actors among its casts, and even filmed quite a lot in Ireland for The Last Jedi. But since we're in the midst of Women's History Month and just over a month away from Andor season 2, I thought this Saint Patrick's Day would be well spend by highlighting some of the Irish women who make Andor as amazing as it is!

We start of course, with Genevieve O'Reilly. First cast to play a young Mon Mothma in Revenge of the Sith, she was brought back years later to spend more time in the white dress for Rogue One. But in Andor, O'Reilly gets to play Mon Mothma like we've never seen before. She brings a really special performance to this character throughout all of the hardship that she faces and the tough decisions she has to make, and there is certainly more to come in the next season.

Then we have our Star Wars newcomers, such as Fiona Shaw. While Shaw's character, Maarva Andor, is unlikely to appear in season 2 (outside of any potential flashbacks), her character is sure to be a ghost haunting the story throughout. Maarva is Cassian's adoptive mother, and despite their complicated relationship there is nothing but love there. Her passing is hard on him, but Shaw's performance gives us one of the most impactful moments of the entire show- her posthumous speech inspiring the riot on Ferrix. Shaw's acting chops elevate this key character to the narrative, and I can't wait to see more of the legacy she leaves behind.

On the other side of the conflict we have Denise Gough, actress behind Dedra Meero. Meero faces challenges of her own in the ISB- not being taken seriously, hunting for elusive rebels sabotaging her work, and a strange obsession from Syril Karn, and Gough sells it all beautifully. Whether it's intense, quiet anger in a meeting, calm, collected manipulation in an interrogation, or shock and distress after being thrown to the ground during the Ferrix riots, Denise Gough gives every moment on screen her all for Dedra's character, making her fascinating. Sometimes I find myself rooting for her until I remember exactly what she's up to.

All of these actresses bring the characters to life that make Andor's story so great, and I'm forever glad for their inclusion- and here's to seeing more in season 2!