Tony Gilroy has opened up about a scrapped Princess Leia cameo in Andor Season 2. He revealed why the idea never moved beyond early discussions. Gilroy initially planned the scene as part of a political storyline featuring Leia and Mon Mothma during Investiture Week. However, he ultimately abandoned it to keep the show focused.
Tony Gilroy on why Princess Leia Organa didn’t cameo in Andor Season 2
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy revealed that he considered a Princess Leia Organa cameo during the early planning stages of Andor Season 2 but ultimately dropped the idea. In an interview with ScreenRant, Gilroy said, “There were some conversations early on… This is in the sketching stage… trying to get the most out of that investiture week and those parties.” He explained they explored where Leia would be in the Senate timeline and the potential for a scene with Mon Mothma.
Gilroy added that the creative team discussed the idea internally. “I remember talking to Kathy [Kennedy] about it and talking to Pablo [Hidalgo] about it, but it never got traction, and then it became a distraction.” He clarified that the concept never advanced beyond early brainstorming and was never cast.
The storyline initially included political events on Alderaan, which connected to Leia’s adoptive father, Bail Organa, who appeared in the final episodes. The team explored parallels between Leia and Mothma, both having entered the Senate at 16, but Gilroy noted it “never went to the casting stage, or it never got more real than that.”
Although the team debated including Leia, Andor kept its narrative focused on lesser-known figures of the Rebellion. The final season followed Cassian’s arc and directly led into the events of Rogue One.
Gilroy’s remarks indicate that Lucasfilm and the Andor team aimed to preserve the show’s grounded tone. The absence of Jedi, Sith, and central Skywalker characters was deliberate. Gilroy’s decision to exclude Leia followed internal creative discussions and did not reflect any formal production plans.
All episodes of Andor Season 2 are now streaming on Disney+.
