A new chapter in the Star Wars saga is unfolding on Disney+, and it comes with a surprising twist. As Andor returns for its second season, one of the galaxy’s most influential figures has resurfaced—only this time, with a new face.
After a long hiatus, Andor resumed its critically acclaimed run on April 22, with six of the planned 12 episodes now streaming. The latest installment, Episode 6, titled “What a Festive Evening,” has sparked conversation not just for its narrative developments, but for the recasting of a beloved character: Senator Bail Organa. Previously portrayed by Jimmy Smits since 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones, the role has now been taken over by Benjamin Bratt.
Smits has long been synonymous with the character—an unsung hero of the early Rebellion, adoptive father to Princess Leia, and frequent presence across the Star Wars timeline, including Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith (2005), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But now, for the first time in two decades, a new actor is stepping into the senator’s shoes in the live-action sphere.
Series creator Tony Gilroy opened up to Entertainment Weekly about the decision behind the recast, confirming it wasn’t a creative choice so much as a logistical one.
“We couldn’t work it out,” Gilroy explained. “The scheduling didn’t work out. We really tried hard, but he wasn’t available and couldn’t make it.”
He added, “Bringing back legacy characters is really complicated […] It’s very expensive. It’s very, who’s working when. A lot of effort went into it, but we just couldn’t work it out scheduling wise.”
Now, with Bratt making his debut in the role, Lucasfilm is officially breaking the silence on the casting shift. In an interview with StarWars.com, Bratt reflected on taking over a character with such an extensive and meaningful legacy in the franchise.
“I’ve always known Jimmy to be an incredibly talented actor,” Bratt shared. “He possesses elegance, a natural grace, a goodness, really, an earnestness that this particular character requires.”
As for what drew him to Andor in the first place, Bratt praised the show’s unique storytelling.
“I find the show’s writing to be very spare and yet it’s incredibly elaborate,” he said. “It says exactly what you need to say to get the essence, the truth of the scene conveyed on the page. Even with the foregone conclusion that tragedy awaits our heroes, it keeps you hopeful. Tony’s story reminds you almost every episode that the human spirit cannot be extinguished. That’s the essence of good storytelling. We as a species have survived for millennia living on the stories we tell about ourselves… At the end of the day, if the human story is not moving you, then we’re not doing our job.”
Originally launched in 2022, Andor stood apart from its Star Wars predecessors from the start. Developed by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, the series broke from franchise norms with its grounded tone, morally complex characters, and slow-burn political intrigue.
Set five years before the events of 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope, Andor acts as a direct prelude to Rogue One, mapping Cassian’s evolution from reluctant drifter to committed rebel spy. Season 1 introduced viewers to a range of characters living under the Empire’s iron grip: Kyle Soller’s Syril Karn, Adria Arjona’s Bix Caleen, Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen Rael, and Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma. Fiona Shaw made a powerful impact as Maarva, Cassian’s adoptive mother, while Andy Serkis and Denise Gough left lasting impressions as Kino Loy and ISB officer Dedra Meero.
Season 2 expands the show’s ambitions significantly. Rather than covering a single year like its predecessor, the new season will span four years of Cassian’s journey, with each three-episode arc representing one year leading directly into the events of Rogue One.
Directing duties this season are shared among Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, and Alonso Ruizpalacios. Writers include Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy, Beau Willimon, and Tom Bissell—bringing together a team known for dense, character-driven storytelling.
As fans digest the midseason developments and the introduction of Bratt’s Bail Organa, many are wondering if the senator will return in the final stretch of episodes. While his ultimate fate is already written in canon—destroyed along with Alderaan by the Empire’s Death Star—his presence could play a critical role in bridging the series’ events with the Rebellion’s larger movement.
Looking ahead, Disney+ plans to roll out Andor Season 2 in three-episode clusters. The next arc arrives May 7 and wraps up May 13, concluding the series and connecting the dots between Andor, Rogue One, and the original trilogy.
With Andor’s final episodes on the horizon, fans may find themselves revisiting Rogue One with a renewed understanding of Cassian’s motivations and sacrifices. Series creator Tony Gilroy and star Diego Luna have both noted how the show adds new emotional weight to the 2016 film.
Recontextualizing legacy material has become a hallmark of Star Wars storytelling in recent years. From The Clone Wars to novels, comics, and live-action series, Lucasfilm continues to deepen the emotional resonance of its ever-growing mythology.
To keep the momentum going, Lucasfilm is also launching a new animated project alongside Andor’s final arc. Tales of the Underworld—the latest entry in Dave Filoni’s Tales of anthology series—premieres May 4, spotlighting characters like Asajj Ventress (voiced by Nika Futterman) and Cad Bane (Corey Burton) as they navigate the galaxy’s criminal underworld.
As Andor Season 2 heads into its final chapters, the series continues to challenge what Star Wars can be—delivering a thoughtful, character-driven, and politically charged story that resonates far beyond the stars.
How do you feel about Jimmy Smits being replaced in the Star Wars universe? Let us know in the comments below!
