That big reveal at the end of Andor led to huge fan speculation regarding Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) and her choice to depart the rebel base in season two of the hit Star Wars series. And now in an interview with Collider, the actress opens up about why Bix left Cassian to his destiny in Rogue One, confirming theories that have abounded after the series finale.
“Yeah, I think she knows,” Arjona said, referring to when Bix became aware of her big secret. “I think she knows when she’s making the [good-bye] letter. The only reason why I’m actually really confirming it is because I heard [Andor creator Tony Gilroy] say ‘yes’. I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”
© LucasfilmSo, yes: Bix knew that she was pregnant with Cassian’s baby when she left.
“She sees Cassian going the other route. She’s like, ‘I can’t be the reason that he doesn’t get to do what he’s destined to do,’” she said of her character’s inner conflict about whether or not to tell him. “Especially if she tells him that she’s pregnant, Cassian will quit it all. Cassian is willing to give up everything for Bix, and Bix knows that. That’s how important Bix is for Cassian. It’s a big sacrifice that she makes, a big love sacrifice not only for what’s best for Cassian, but also for what’s best for the rebellion. She says it: ‘I choose rebellion.’ But ultimately, she’s choosing the future of her family and the future of the galaxy that she’s going to raise this child in. It’s a big mother instinct that kicks in. I don’t know how she would have made that decision otherwise.”
Knowing Cassian’s importance to the Rebellion is what motivates her to keep it a secret in the hopes that he will return to them when its all over. The transmission to her love is one of the most beautifully powerful moments in the series and heartbreaking at that—since we know where Andor’s journey will end.
That’s something Arjona shared was a challenge to keep out of her head while playing someone who had unwavering hope she would meet him again. “I had to step away from my love of Rogue One and A New Hope to really be able to play the letter and to be able to play the last shot, because I was a little too connected, and Bix obviously isn’t.”
And that made Arjona’s read of the lines in the letter even more impactful. “There’s a beautiful element of hope in that last scene. She says it in her letter: ‘When this is over, when it’s all done, we’ll meet again, and we’ll be fine.’ She has never had a doubt that Cassian will be back. There’s a lot of hope in that last shot that he’ll be back and they’ll raise a family. I think that’s what’s so heartbreaking about it.”
It is all the more gut-wrenching and tear-inducing for fans of the characters who have gotten such an important backstory that we’re just not ready to let go of yet. It’s why the surprise of baby Andor was such a beacon of light and a huge payoff we see that Cassian doesn’t.
The profound and poignant ending was masterfully pulled off by Gilroy, Arjona elaborated. “When he told me that the last shot of season two was going to be me holding Cassian’s baby, it just blew my mind, because he told me something very similar at the beginning of season one. He was like, ‘Don’t worry, it’s all going to pay off.’”
“That’s something that a lot of creatives promise to get the cast that they desire, but never actually follow through on, and Tony actually followed through and gave me a lot of very pivotal moments in this season, and then gave me the end.” The coda truly adds a satisfying layer to Andor’s sacrifice by focusing on Bix and the baby seeing the sunrise he won’t live to see. And as massive Arjona fans, we can’t help but hope Bix’s story isn’t over yet.
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