Andor Season 2's Place In The Star Wars Timeline Explained

Andor will return for its second and final season in April 2025, but how will these episodes fit into the Star Wars timeline? The first season of Andor was set in 5 BBY, meaning the story takes place five years before the Death Star's destruction at the Battle of Yavin in A New Hope. Because Andor season 1 takes place in a single year, this naturally raises questions about how the show will cover the remaining four years of Cassian Andor's story (if at all).

Thankfully, Andor creator/showrunner Tony Gilroy has clarified when the upcoming episodes take place in the Star Wars timeline and how season 2 will be structured. This makes it easy to determine what other Star Wars stories occur around the same time as Andor season 2, especially with available reference books like Star Wars: Timelines from DK Publishing. Finding Andor season 2's place in the Star Wars timeline may offer clues about the plot of each story arc and cultivate a greater appreciation of the events leading up to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Andor Season 2's Four Arcs Explained

One arc per year (in-universe)

Custom Image by Molly Brizzell

According to Gilroy, Andor season 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 in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Gilroy discussed the challenge of having time jumps to show Cassian's four-year growth while 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 how Andor season 2's timeline placement relates to the rest of the Star Wars franchise.

How Andor Season 2's First Arc Fits Into The Timeline

4 BBY

The first three episodes of Andor season 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 the Ghost crew 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.

Because the Rebel Alliance has not been formed from the various rebel factions, it is unlikely that the first arc of Andor season 2 will cross over with Star Wars Rebels. Unlike many modern Star Wars movies and TV shows, Andor generally 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

Andor season 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 the Ghost crew on Lothol.

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, Andor season 2 could mention a hole in Luthen's spy network, or Mon 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 of Andor season 2 will be set in 2 BBY, a significant turning point in the history of the Rebellion. With the Ghost crew 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 Senate and finally succeeds in uniting the various rebel factions into one Rebel Alliance. However, Thrawn eventually tracks down the Ghost crew's rebel cells and forces them to abandon their base, relocating to the rebel headquarters on Yavin 4.

This arc is where Andor season 2 begins to have more potential with referencing events in other Star Wars projects. As a central character in Andor season 1, Mon Mothma's speech to the Senate and her formation of the Rebel Alliance will have to be addressed in some way, and Cassian would have to commit to the larger Rebellion and relocate to Yavin 4. Since characters like Colonel Yularen appeared in Andor season 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

Andor season 2's fourth and final arc will take place in 1 BBY, the same year as the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This year is the end of a journey for the Ghost crew, 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.

As the final arc of Andor's last season, these episodes would have the greatest justification in featuring familiar characters, locations, and events. The Ghost crew were presumably on Yavin 4 at the same time as Cassian, providing an opportunity for him to meet them onscreen. The final episode of Andor could lead directly into Rogue One, just as that movie led directly into the events of A New Hope. For now, these possibilities are mere speculation, but it gives fans plenty to look forward to when Andor season 2 cements its place in the Star Wars timeline.

Diego Luna stars as Cassian Andor in Andor, a Disney+ exclusive series set five years before Rogue One. The series follows the titular character as he transitions from a humble thief to a revolutionary icon of the rebellion against the empire. Cassian, a man who tries to keep himself out of confrontations post the destruction of his world, is shoved into the central conflict as he naturally slots into the role of leader. Andor will explore the rebellion's burgeoning days and highlight pivotal events in the Star Wars Franchise before the construction of the Death Star. 

Release Date September 21, 2022

Seasons 1

Writers Tony Gilroy , Dan Gilroy , Beau Willimon , Stephen Schiff

Showrunner Tony Gilroy

Filming Locations United Kingdom

Number of Episodes 12