Tony Gilroy on the Religious Parallels in ‘Andor’ and Casting Andy Serkis
In an interview with the YouТube channel #StruggleNation, Tony Gilroy discussed how Andor episodes 8 through 10, the prison arc, are a metaphor for religion, plus the thought process behind casting Andy Serkis as Kino Loy.
Within Andor’s umbrella narrative of the impact of Imperial tyranny and the creation of an uprising, there was a wealth of commentary on a variety of contemporary issues, from corporate greed and apathetic politicians to police brutality. Even Dedra Meero’s arc begins with parallels to the struggles women face in the workplace. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Gilroy would use the show to question another societal cornerstone: religion.
Speaking about Serkis’ charisma and how he was cast in the role, Gilroy said:
“We knew we had a big part there. We knew that we had to drop a gear at that point in episode 8. We’ve been through Aldhani. We had it budgeted so that we could get someone really cool to come in. I knew Andy from The Lord of the Rings, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Black Panther. The thing that blew my mind was that in Black Panther he was so rugged and charismatic. I talked to Andy about it and it was ‘well it’s a long way out. It’d be great. Maybe if I’m available.’ He was also directing Venom and I just chased him. A lot of my job is just chasing people. Trying to get people to join the train. “
As widely respected as Andy Serkis is, his casting in Andor was in some ways a risky choice. He already played a part in Star Wars as Snoke, in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, although the two roles are very different. He’s also expensive, as Gilroy alluded to, and the role of Kino Loy likely would not translate into any measurable upward trajectory for his career that he didn’t already have. Despite this, Gilroy’s vision and persistence paid off, and there is already buzz the actor could get nominated for an Emmy this year. Serkis’ performance maintained Andor’s momentum after the Aldhani heist and triggered a chorus of “one way out!” across the Internet.
Asked about the significance of Kino Loy, Gilroy explained:
“…[Kino Loy] and the rest of the show in many ways are political, but for me the [prison] sequence was always theological. That was always religious. And there’s nothing else religious in the show really. It was the idea of a guy who had faith. His god is that number in his box…so the prison is populated by true believers and others like Melshi, who is an atheist. He doesn’t believe. These two populations, in addition to others who are agnostic and trying to figure it out. But for me, that was always about faith and to watch somebody, overnight, lose their faith. There is no god, the numbers in their boxes are a lie. Andy got with this idea right from the beginning that Kino Loy’s whole identity is tied to that faith. He believes if he does the right thing, he will get out of the prison. He will ‘go to heaven.’ And, uh, sorry, not happening.”
Swept up in Serkis’ performance, this religious deeper meaning did not reveal itself to me at the time, but episode 10 likely would not have impacted fans the same way had Loy not been a believer. If the character we met in episode 8 was a dejected cynic who had given up all hope or a fiery realist, like Melshi, ready to spring into escape plans at the first notice, we’d lose out on a pivotal character transformation. As much as fans wanted Cassian to escape, it was Loy’s line of “I can’t swim” that truly broke all our hearts.
Andor season 2 is currently filming in multiple points across the UK, and could also be shooting in Valencia, Spain. It is expected to premiere in the late summer/early fall of 2024. Check out the full interview here.
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
