Andor Showrunner Calls Out Scene He “Hated” That Fans Can’t Stop Loving

In contrast to many viewers’ preferences, showrunner Tony Gilroy found a pivotal scene in Season 2 of Andor to be his least favorite. The highly anticipated series has returned on Disney+ for its final season, fueling excitement among Star Wars enthusiasts as it moves ever closer to the events depicted in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Although Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor serves as the main character, numerous secondary characters have captured fans’ hearts. Among these are Syril Karn, portrayed by Kyle Soller, and Dedra Meero, played by Denise Gough. Their bond, which has been developing since Season 1, reaches new heights in Season 2.

In the second installment of Andor Season 2, we find that Syril and Dedra have moved in together a year later, on Coruscant. Their relationship is explored by showrunner Tony Gilroy, who asks us, “Won’t you be curious to see them as a couple?” An unexpected twist arises when Syril’s mother, Eedy (Kathryn Hunter), visits for dinner, leading to an uncomfortable scene where she criticizes and scolds her son so harshly that he leaves the table.

As a seasoned moviegoer, let me share my thoughts on this riveting scene where Dedra boldly faces off against Eedy. Employing her Imperial finesse, she skillfully orchestrates a truce, asserting, “The game stops here.” She makes it clear that should Syril become part of Eedy’s world, careful consideration will be the rule, as she warns, “You’ll have to think before you speak.”

In an interesting twist, Dedra promises a regular visit from Syril, along with frequent phone calls. She pledges to ensure an ongoing connection but hints that this engagement would be directly related to the level of stress Eedy manages to create in their lives – the less the anxiety, the more the contact. Quite intriguing!

Following this, there’s a scene that director Tony Gilroy wasn’t particularly fond of. Syril is seen in his room, looking dejected and defeated, before he returns to dinner. Recalling those early takes, he said, “I remember the daily footage coming in. I couldn’t stand him lying on the bed. I thought, ‘Oh dear, what are you up to now?’

Gilroy ultimately decided to rely on director Ariel Kleiman, believing he could pull off a challenging shot. “Ariel was quite determined and I was hesitant,” Gilroy explained. “I thought, ‘This is too much, this is too much,’ but we tried it out and the elements he incorporated — such as moving the fork on the table — transformed it into an extraordinary creation. That’s all him, that’s all his direction.

Brandon Roberts’ compositions are highly appreciated, as they lend an extra depth to the scene. Roberts was enlisted to create the soundtrack for season 2 of Andor. As Gilroy puts it, “The pièce de résistance was the tune he included. It had that ’60s Mary Tyler Moore TV feel. It was like, ‘Wow, this just feels alive!’ Everyone really enjoyed working with that.

One captivating aspect of the Syril/Dedra relationship is that Denise Gough, the actress portraying Dedra, initially expressed skepticism about their pairing.

During the initial season, Denise cautioned me with a fervent exclamation: “Oh my God, keep them apart!” Gilroy disclosed. “Please, just don’t do it. That’s the one request I have from you.” To which I responded, “I think I might let that question slide.” (As a cinema enthusiast, I’d put it this way: During season 1, Denise passionately urged me, “Oh my goodness, keep them apart!”, Gilroy shared. “Please don’t do it, that’s the one thing I’m asking of you.” To which I playfully replied, “I think I might dodge that question.”)

Gilroy stated, “She expressed concern that once the characters embark on a romantic relationship, everything else seems to fade away, making it all about the romance. However, this wasn’t something I ever feared. Instead, it felt inevitable and intriguing to me. These characters have always fascinated me.

Afterward, he shared his perspective on what sets Syril and Dedra apart from others. “Their paths are remarkably distinct,” Gilroy stated. “To me, Syril embodies a dreamer. I believe his mind, brimming with creativity, is constantly buzzing,” Gilroy added. “On the other hand, Dedra appears calm and composed. She seems to channel all her imagination towards quelling the rebellion.

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2025-04-25 16:40