Will Felicity Jones' Rogue One Character Return For Andor Season 2?
When "Andor" was first announced as the newest "Star Wars" streaming series, it didn't take fans very long to connect the dots and figure out how previously established characters could once again make cameo appearances or even become supporting characters in the prequel show. Anyone from the Alan Tudyk-voiced droid K-2SO to Genevieve O'Reilly's Mon Mothma were suddenly up for grabs, though only the latter ended up appearing in any significant role in the first season of "Andor." That restraint went a long way towards making this Tony Gilroy-created series as much of a success as it was, putting a clear emphasis and priority on storytelling over fan service. That sense of self-control is apparently set to continue with the next (and last) season of the series if actor Felicity Jones is to be believed.
The lead star of "Rogue One" certainly would've added a huge boost to "Andor" by reprising her role as the rebel-turned-Rebel Jyn Erso, but that doesn't appear to be in the cards. During a recent radio appearance on BBC One's "The One Show" (via Comic Book), the actor spilled the beans that the series chronicling the early rise of the Rebellion through Cassian Andor's (Diego Luna) eyes will have to continue to unfold without her. When asked point-blank whether there are any plans of returning for "Andor" after leading "Rogue One" to over $1 billion worldwide back in 2016, Jones had this to say:
"I'm afraid to say I won't be, but I still have hope for Jyn Erso at some point to make a comeback. But no, sadly I won't be."
As much as it's a shame that an actor as talented as Jones could end up becoming a one-and-done addition to the "Star Wars" universe, her absence from "Andor" makes plenty of narrative sense.
Untangling the timeline
When "Andor" first begins, we follow Cassian long before he ever joined the infant Rebellion as a shady and very morally dubious operative — roughly five years before the events of "Rogue One" and 1977's "Star Wars." Given that he only meets the troublemaking Jyn Erso and most of the other members of the Rogue One team during the course of the movie, well, it would sort of break continuity for him to cross paths with Jyn or anyone else during the events of "Andor," especially considering the goal for season 2 to wrap up just as it leads into the opening moments of "Rogue One." I could imagine fans handwaving that away by claiming that the series could simply introduce another subplot focused on Jyn where she's largely doing her own thing in season 2, similar to how Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and Mon Mothma continue to be integral parts of the series despite rarely (if ever) interacting with Andor himself ... but, at a certain point, the writers would have to acknowledge that they're forcing the issue for the sake of fan-service.
But that's not to say that Felicity Jones herself is all too broken up about it, mind you. Later in the same interview, she admits that she's never been all too fond of returning to characters she's portrayed before, anyway. "I actually wouldn't want to repeat any of [my characters]. It's so funny — once you've sort of done it and you've kind of put them to bed, then you're ready for the next challenge." Unfortunately for fans, that next challenge likely won't take place in a galaxy far, far away.
Luckily, "Andor" has proven itself as one of the franchise's very best nonetheless. Expect season 2 to arrive in August of 2024.