Tony Gilroy Confirms No Darth Vader In 'Andor' Season 2

Tony Gilroy, showrunner of Andor, confirmed that neither Darth Vader nor Emperor Palpatine will appear in the show's second season, despite their prominence in the Star Wars universe during this timeline. Gilroy explained that writing for Vader is 'really limiting' because the character has little to say, and including Palpatine would have been too significant a narrative disruption. He emphasized that Andor is focused on the vastness of the Star Wars galaxy and the many stories beyond its most famous figures, intentionally steering away from heavy cameos. Gilroy also highlighted that only a tiny fraction of the galaxy's population is aware of the Jedi or Sith, reinforcing the show's grounded perspective on rebellion. This creative decision follows Gilroy's experience with Rogue One, where Vader had a memorable but brief role, and reflects his desire to keep Andor's focus on new characters and political intrigue rather than legacy appearances.