How does Andor fit into the Star Wars Universe?

Looking for some context as the new Disney Plus series begins? We’ll get you up to hyperspeed.

By Cindy White | September 21, 2022 | 12:00pm

TV Features Darth Sideous

How does Andor fit into the Star Wars Universe?

(L-R): Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Andor Photo: Lucasfilm Ltd.

With every new Star Wars project that comes out, it gets a little more complicated keeping track of what’s going on in the galaxy. Like trying to figure out where the latest new streaming series, Andor, falls into that continuum. We know that most of the story takes place five years before the events of Rogue One, with the exception of some flashback scenes depicting Cassian’s (Diego Luna) childhood and adolescence. But what else do we need to know? What’s happening as the show begins? What are the characters we’ve known and loved up to? To help make things clear, we’ve focused on a handful of questions and answers that will provide the insight we need as Andor kicks off today with a three-episode series premiere.

How powerful is the Empire right now?

As Andor begins, this point in time it’s been about 14 years since Supreme Chancellor Palpatine dissolved the Republic and became Emperor Palpatine, ruler of the Galactic Empire, as we saw in Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. Since then, Imperial forces have been gradually transitioning from peacekeepers to occupiers in the territorial outposts they once promised to protect.We are fast approaching the pinnacle of the Imperial Era, when its iron grip on the galaxy is at its strongest. As is typical of any totalitarian regime, the Empire has reached its tendrils into every aspect of public life. Even corporations are monitored by tactical security forces who report directly to the Empire. Constant surveillance is a part of everyday life and getting caught on the wrong side of the authorities, or even being suspected of being not fully on board the Emperor’s train, could get you hauled away and executed as a traitor.There are some areas, however, where the Empire wields less power than others. Its domain is centralized within a few core planets, spreading out to an inner rim, mid rim, and outer rim. The farther away from the core, the less Imperial presence you’re likely to encounter, which not only allows for crime syndicates to thrive, but also creates a fertile breeding ground for a growing resistance movement.

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