Andor’s Emmy Hopes Rely on Voters Playing Politics

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1) The Disney+ series “Andor” is not just one of the top shows currently on television; it’s also among a few contenders with a strong case for relevance in this year’s Emmy Awards competition. Created by Tony Gilroy, the show follows Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna), as he evolves from a small-time thief into the dedicated revolutionary we first met in the 2016 film “Rogue One.” The series also delves into the origins of the Rebel Alliance that ultimately brought down the Empire in the original “Star Wars” films. Given its focus on building resistance against oppressive rule, it has struck a chord with both critics and viewers, particularly during the early days of Donald Trump’s second term.

Nicholas Quah from Vulture points out that political themes have always been part of the Star Wars franchise, but they were often overshadowed by fantasy and family matters. However, with ‘Andor’, creator Tony Gilroy brought these political aspects to the forefront, creating a show that explores politics not just in history or a specific region, but globally. If you grew up in China, you might recognize some elements that resonate with your own experiences.

The series draws inspiration from history’s repeated battles against fascist regimes, as the Empire’s exploitation of resource-rich Ghorman appears to mirror real-world events, such as the Iraq War. For instance, Roxana Hadadi, a critic for Vulture, points out that Ghorman being portrayed as a villain for the Empire to plunder resources is reminiscent of the treatment of certain countries like Iraq. Similarly, the labeling of dissenters as ‘terrorists’ by the Empire, as seen in Krennic’s episode ‘What a Festive Evening,’ mirrors how people advocating for Palestinian rights have been treated for decades. Furthermore, the Imperial Emergency Act resembles the Patriot Act, while many scenes depicting demonstrations, such as the one in Ferrix during the season-one finale ‘Rix Road,’ echo the excessive and violent responses by law enforcement to campus protests, Black Lives Matter marches, or any attempts by American protesters to effect change.

The season-one finale, where Cassian’s deceased mother Maarva (Fiona Shaw) gave a posthumous speech inciting the citizens of Ferrix to resist the Empire, is just one instance of how Andor seamlessly combines enduring and relevant political motifs. As Quah notes, despite the fact that the production team began working on this series long before the present time, the politics in Andor still feel contemporary and pertinent. This is a testament to the quality of the storytelling, as events occurring now are rooted in past experiences, and what transpires in one location resonates with what happens everywhere else.

In 2025, Andor isn’t alone in exploring significant social themes relevant to America through Drama Series. Severance‘s second installment delved deeper into the suppressed class of Innies compared to their Outie counterparts. The White Lotus, as usual, offered a wealth of social critique, this time focusing on the ethics of the extremely wealthy. Although politics aren’t often at the forefront in this series, interpretations can sometimes be clouded; for example, discussions arose about Leslie Bibb’s character’s ambiguous voting choices. The Last of Us, while concentrating more on its central revenge narrative in season two, will later delve into factionalization in a more impactful manner. Meanwhile, The Pitt addressed the issue of measles among anti-vaxx parents in one of its many medical crises, mirroring RFK Jr.’s proposed national health policy.

This year’s Emmy awards seem especially relevant due to the political climate, as the last time Donald Trump became President, the Television Academy recognized “The Handmaid’s Tale” as Outstanding Drama Series. In 2017, this win was likely influenced by the show’s portrayal of a bleak future where the U.S. had been taken over by a theocratic regime that oppressed women. Given that America has recently elected a president with allegations of sexual misconduct and Senate Republicans obstructing a Supreme Court justice who might have upheld Roe v. Wade, “The Handmaid’s Tale” eerily mirrored the fears and concerns many people had at the time.

The unexpected victory of “The Handmaid’s Tale” was not anticipated by many. With the perennial favorite “Game of Thrones” ineligible that year, most prognosticators had bet on Netflix’s “The Crown” or HBO’s “Westworld,” both of which had received numerous nominations. It was assumed that Elizabeth Moss would win Lead Actress, and this would be the highlight of the awards. However, Moss did win, as did Ann Dowd. What followed was a surprise: “The Handmaid’s Tale” won Outstanding Drama Series, marking Hulu’s first victory in this category for a streaming platform. As Bruce Miller accepted the award on behalf of the show, he addressed the audience of TV professionals, saying, “Go home, go to work. We have many battles ahead.

During that very event, “Saturday Night Live” – known for its heavy satire of the Trump Administration – experienced one of its best performances in years. This recognition extended to Alec Baldwin’s recurring portrayal of Trump and Kate McKinnon, who spent a significant portion of that season embodying Hillary Clinton, including her memorable post-election “Hallelujah” performance. As American liberals and Academy voters sought a response against Trump, the timely relevance of “The Handmaid’s Tale” became its most valuable asset in terms of awards. Following his Emmy win, Miller secured a Golden Globe victory in the same category a few months later, using his speech to acknowledge everyone working to prevent “The Handmaid’s Tale” from becoming a reality in our country and around the world.

In 2025, it remains uncertain if the series Andor will resonate with Emmy voters in a similar way that The Handmaid’s Tale did in 2017. This could hinge on whether members of the TV Academy continue to see their voting choices as a means to express their political convictions. Given the psychological distress, economic instability, and foreign policy concerns surrounding Trump 2.0, there are many who yearn for change. However, it’s worth questioning the extent to which the current wave of high-level compromise will influence voter behavior. With tech giants like Apple’s Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and others seemingly softening their stances towards Trump to avoid his wrath, it is unclear if Hollywood’s spirit of resistance remains as potent as before. This raises questions about whether Andor embodies the kind of resistance that will resonate with voters.

According to Hadadi, season two skillfully expands upon the themes introduced in season one. However, he also points out that the show’s portrayal of opposition, suggesting that sometimes extremism is necessary and that mainstream resistance parties may be willing to suppress their fringe elements for personal gain, is a critique of liberalism that could potentially upset some viewers. Despite this potential controversy, Hadadi is enjoying it immensely. He has learned from past experiences where excellent political shows have been overlooked by the Emmys, and he fears that Andor may suffer the same fate.

NEWS: Gothams! For TV!

Since many prestigious TV awards occur at the end of the year, coinciding with film award seasons, the announcement of Gotham Television Awards this week offers a glimpse into the thoughts of some individuals who will be casting votes for the upcoming television season (even though they won’t be voting for the Emmys). The Gotham Film & Media Institute awards are designed to highlight promising new or “breakthrough” TV series in the competitive awards sphere. As stated by Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gothams, in their press release, “As the first awards show of the new television season, we are honored to bring together the industry’s most innovative voices, celebrate breakthrough achievements, and strengthen our dedication to nurturing the creative community.

Some nominees of note:

Netflix’s series titled “Adolescence” garnered the highest number of nominations, amounting to a total of four: It was nominated for Best Limited Series, as well as acting nods in several categories. These include recognition for lead actor Stephen Graham who portrays a troubled father, and supporting actors Owen Cooper (the grade-schooler son) and Erin Doherty (the court-appointed psychologist).

The production “The Studio” was one of five comedies up for the Breakthrough Comedy Series award, lending it some prestige from critics. Actress Chase Sui Wonders from “The Studio”‘s cast received a nomination for her acting performance, while I personally believe Catherine O’Hara is the Emmy front-runner from the show. However, Wonders’ nomination certainly makes her a strong candidate to watch in future award considerations too.

As a movie enthusiast, it feels like “The Pitt” has taken its first stride towards Emmy glory with its nomination in the Breakthrough Drama Series category. Katherine LaNasa, the show’s sole acting nominee in the supporting actress category, has set the stage for potential success in the Emmys race. With so much discussion about which of “The Pitt’s” supporting cast members will make an impact, this early recognition of LaNasa is definitely something to keep in mind.

Noteworthy competitors in the Other Drama Series category also include “Matlock” (with nominations for Kathy Bates and Skye P. Marshall) and “Black Doves,” featuring Ben Whishaw. My mission to remind Emmy voters of the greatness of “Black Doves” has made significant progress! The next step: garner some recognition for Keira Knightley!

The nomination for FX’s “English Teacher” in the Comedy Series category serves as a somewhat surprising testament that the sexual misconduct accusations against creator and star Brian Jordan Alvarez might not completely jeopardize the show’s chances at awards – however, the singular nomination of Sean Patton for his role as gym teacher Markie could suggest that Alvarez remains too controversial to fully support.

Shows with numerous acting nominations, such as the FX limited series titled “Dying for Sex,” featuring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate in nominated roles, and the dystopian mystery on Hulu called “Paradise,” which garnered nominations for Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden, are also present.

In the series ‘Mid-Century Modern’ on Hulu, Linda Lavin, who recently passed away, was nominated for a Supporting role due to her performance as a meddlesome Ma among a group of mature gay men residing in Palm Springs, as portrayed in the show.

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2025-05-03 17:54