Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was the 2016 Star Wars movie that filled in the timeline before Episode IV: A New Hope. It has been lauded for its creative and engaging storyline and characters.
Andor is the latest Disney+ series that completes the lead-up to Rogue One. This show has also captivated audiences with its unique storytelling and complex characters.
Do I need to watch Rogue One before Andor? No, you don’t. It may even be better if you watched Andor first unless you like knowing more about the Star Wars saga before taking on this latest show.
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Reasons to Watch Andor First
Andor takes place five years before Rogue One. So, chronologically speaking, it makes sense to watch the latest show first.
It could also be more enjoyable viewing seeing how the story plays out and not knowing the denouement (up until Rogue One) first.
Andor reveals the origins of the main character of this series, Cassian Andor. Cassian originally came from the planet of Kenari and was named Kassa before being taken by his adopted mother, Maarva Andor, to the planet Ferrix.
On Ferrix and elsewhere, the rich storytelling of Andor makes it unnecessary to watch Rogue One first. We encounter everyday people, Cassian among them, who live under an oppressive regime.
Although Cassian emerges as the lead character, he does so in a way that is different from the Star Wars Jedi and Sith Lords.
Only in the later episodes does Cassian Andor think of himself more as a Rebel leader. Beforehand, he is one of the complex, morally ambiguous characters of the show, starting off with two murders on his hands.
By the time of Rogue One, Cassian has become a Rebel Intelligence officer looking to kill Galen Erso, the scientist working on the Death Star. Jumping into these developments is like putting the cart before the horse.
Further, watching Rogue One first gives away the story, especially regarding Cassian.
Other reviews of Andor stress how this show could be the best way into the Star Wars universe for new viewers. Hence, start here, then go elsewhere across the galaxy.
Reasons to Watch Rogue One First
Prior knowledge is helpful. By watching Rogue One first, audiences could be more attuned to the plot, characters, and story.
Rogue One centers on the character Jyn, whose father is Galen Erso. Jyn’s mother had been killed after her father stopped doing research work for the Empire (he was later forced to return).
While Jyn emerges as a leader of the incipient Rebellion, she teams up with Captain Cassian Andor and a small squad on a mission to Scarif to steal the plans for the Death Star.
They do manage to get the plans from the Imperial Scarif base and transmit them to the Rebels. These events lead us to the door of A New Hope and could be a useful knowledge base for watching Andor.
Some suggest that, if possible, watching the prequel and original trilogy first would be worthwhile to properly set up Andor. (This review ends up saying it’s fine to watch Andor first, though.)
By at least watching Rogue One first, viewers get a better indication of Cassian Andor’s character arc and a better sense of Cassian’s personality and background that partially leads him to his conclusion (no hint here as to what happens).
In Rogue One, Cassian is central to forming the Rebel Alliance. Knowing this up front could make him a more interesting character since we see how this contrasts with a self-interested, skeptical Cassian in Andor.
Audiences could understand other characters better too, like Mon Mothma.
Mon Mothma had been a Republican Senator from Chandrila but switched to become a founding Rebel leader. However, she does her work concealed, from inside the Imperial Senate.
Rogue One establishes this character development and then Andor shows us the inner political workings she’s involved in.
This order of viewing also helps us understand the character of Saw Gerrera, the radical Rebel who had taken in Jyn.
Gerrera is in the later episodes of Andor but we do not get much information about him–there may be a faulty assumption here that we have already watched Rogue One, where more is shared about him.
Some think viewers should not wait because Rogue One is the best Star Wars movie. Its focused, purposeful storytelling sets it apart from the Star Wars franchise, so why would we wait to see it?
Andor Could Exist Alone
Yet, Andor has those qualities as well, and we could easily flip the logic and say watch it first. Moreover, Andor does not need to tie into the Star Wars saga.
Like The Mandalorian, Andor is a Disney+ series that could stand on its own. By departing from the connection-filled format of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, this series could surpass these recent programs.
Reviewers have stressed the role of creator Tony Gilroy in making Andor an “espionage thriller” with complicated characters that make the show so appealing that it could potentially be a stand-alone program.
There are some helpful items to know before watching Andor, such as the fact it covers one year in Cassian’s life–the final one before Rogue One. Yet, viewers will be just fine not knowing this too.
You Can Watch Andor First
As with the Boba Fett series, and perhaps even more so, Andor can be watched without much knowledge of Star Wars. You also do not need to watch Rogue One before Andor.
Andor comes before Rogue One in the chronology and narrative. The story and characters of the new series are also so compelling that it does not depend on tie-ins to other Star Wars movies, including its direct link.
The question comes down to how much you want to know beforehand.
Todd Wahlstrom is a creative and analytical freelance writer and life-long Star Wars fan who has expanded into writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has written about recent shows such as The Mandalorian and Andor and classic topics like Darth Vader, the Jedi, and Boba Fett. His recent articles include the MCU’s Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Todd is the author of a non-fiction book, holds a Ph.D. in history, and enjoys hiking, running, and reading about science.