Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Enhanced By Andor's Deep Character Backstories

It is widely accepted that the best movie in the Star Wars franchise is episode 5, The Empire Strikes Back, known for Luke's training arc with Yoda and the iconic revelation of Darth Vader's identity, which has become a pop culture phenomenon. Meanwhile, Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is considered the franchise's best in the 21st Century.

As it nears its 10th anniversary in 2026, Rogue One's status as the best Star Wars movie has only been strengthened in the past decade, as the sequel trilogy and the weaker entries in the prequel trilogy cannot compare. Its exploration of the world beyond the Skywalkers and the Jedi order gives us a new perspective on the Rebel Alliance.

If there's anything in the Star Wars franchise made this side of Y2K that is comparable in quality, it is the two-season show, Andor, which has received widespread critical acclaim. Some of the scenes in Rogue One hit different after watching Andor, but rewatching Rogue One: A Star Wars Story after Andor also gave me more reasons to appreciate Andor.

Rogue One Plays Out Like A Natural Sequel To Andor

Anyone who has never seen Rogue One before and doesn't know about its original release would be excused for assuming it was made after Andor. The show ties up every loose end competently before using the final episode to set up the plot of Rogue One, explaining why Captain Cassian Andor is at Kafrene at the beginning of the movie.

Even with the introduction of the new character, Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story feels like a sequel to Andor made after the show because every common character behaves like they have experienced the events of the show. While this is canonically true, it's impressive how well the show catches up the characters to the movie.

Andor changes how we see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by adding more layers to the rebellion and the strength of the philosophy that guides the rebels. From Cassian Andor and Saw Gerrera to K-2SO and Director Orson Krennic, the people who recur in Rogue One now have detailed backstories that add depth to their roles in the movie.

Andor Has No Forced References To The Other Movies

There is always a temptation when making a prequel to add cheeky and cheesy Easter eggs that fans of the previous movies and shows will love. However, the creators of Andor, despite working with a major franchise like Star Wars, known for its fan service, have successfully resisted the urge to add callbacks that don't enhance the storytelling.

One of the few complaints about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was the CGI Princess Leia cameo, without which, the film would still be able to tell its story. The same can be said about the CGI version of Tarkin. The restraint with which Andor tells the story without including details that aren't natural for the show is commendable.

Andor's Writing Has The Same Tone As Rogue One

Knowing the ending of a story is said to make it easier to tell or at least easier to plan. However, living up to a legacy is a difficult part of making a prequel. Andor had the unique challenge of creating and fleshing out a world while explaining why many of the characters and circumstances aren't relevant in Rogue One.

What's most impressive about Andor's storytelling is the delicate balance between exciting action sequences, tense setpieces of espionage maneuvers, gloomy moments of the Empire's oppression, and glimpses of unadulterated hope. As Tony Gilroy notes about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's reputation, Andor needed to maintain a mood similar to the movie so the latter would feel like a successor.

Even The Pacing Of The Show Matches The Movie

How well Andor retains Rogue One's storytelling approach while expanding its world is also witnessed through its pacing. Rogue One barely wastes any time once the events go to Jedha, and the extensive final act is a thrilling setpiece of faith, action, and stealth. Similarly, Andor isn't a slow-burn, but its suspenseful events stretch over episodes to keep viewers guessing.

The episodes of Andor prove the creators understand Star Wars and the relevance of its themes in today's world because it takes the familiar concepts of the space opera and makes a political thriller with them. To this end, every episode moves at a deliberate pace as it explores the exhaustive nature of a rebellion while the show moves quickly.

Andor's Award Nominations Are A Testament To Its Quality

Never in my lifetime would I have imagined anything from the Star Wars franchise being a serious contender for any major awards, since even the most critically acclaimed works after the original trilogy have been seen as crowd pleasers not worthy of accolades. Yet, the Emmys have proven to be fans of the many Disney Star Wars shows.

So, the fact that Andor was featured heavily among the Emmy nominations isn't surprising, although many have pointed out the problem with snubbing Diego Luna for Best Actor. However, if the award nominations aren't enough proof, the show currently has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is the highest of any Star Wars show.