Andor occupies an unusual position among this year’s top dramas, garnering recognition as it did with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series in 2023 and seven other accolades in writing and direction. However, none of the show’s main stars, including Diego Luna, were singled out for individual awards. This makes Andor a rarity in Emmy history, following in the footsteps of shows like Succession (in its first season in 2019) and the 1961 Emmys’ Sacco-Vanzetti Story, both of which received drama series, writing, and directing nominations but no acting nods before going on to win other prestigious awards.
Speaking with Roxana Hadadi, who recently spent time with Luna at Vidiots for a Vulture cover story, it’s clear that Luna is aiming to be among the nominees for ‘Andor’ this year in the Best Actor in a Drama category. However, the competition is fierce with performers such as Pedro Pascal, Adam Scott, and Noah Wyle all vying for a spot. The voting for nominations continues until June 23rd, so I reached out to Roxana to discuss our shared anticipation for ‘Andor’s prospects.
In your question, you ask where Andor stands among current high-end TV shows (Prestige TV).
“In which tier of today’s prestigious television do you believe Andor belongs? I personally think it deserves the top spot, as it delivers all the aspects we usually associate with award-winning TV. To start, its production cost is quite high. According to reports, both seasons of this series were made for a staggering $650 million.
You’re right, we’re discussing the Shogun storyline. Isn’t it amazing? It’s so costly! But don’t get me wrong; Shogun was impressive. However, that was a significant aspect of its appeal.
Andor, on the other hand, has a creator’s narrative with Tony Gilroy, who is well-known for his work on Rogue One. Plus, it boasts an international cast filled with familiar faces like Stellan Skarsgård and Forest Whitaker, as well as lesser-known actors delivering outstanding performances that add depth to the show’s elaborate worlds. I was told there are around 150 speaking roles across two seasons, which is quite extraordinary, much like Shogun. Also, Andor aims to cram four years of storytelling into a single season of TV, making it a prime example of daring, cinematic, prestige television.
This is the storyline for “Severance”: We constructed everything you see; it’s Ben Stiller’s concept; it’s conveying a very relevant and pressing message about the individual in today’s world. I believe that “Severance” has been more successful in selling this message than “Andor”. And honestly, I find myself disappointed by it, Joe!
By using simpler sentence structures and clearer language, we can ensure that the meaning remains the same while making the text more accessible to a wider audience.
The series “Andor” seems to convey a message that is deeply personal and introspective. It suggests that one might not be investing enough effort into self-improvement, as implied by the show’s narrative. In conversation with Diego, he explained that the political aspects of the show are significant. However, he was cautious about discussing whether Ghorman Gaza mirrors Donald Trump or not. Yet, something he mentioned resonated with me – the idea that the show highlights the possibility of doing more. This could mean contributing more through activism, volunteering, mutual aid, or simply giving more to one’s family, community, allies, and those in need worldwide.
Unlike The Last of Us, Andor isn’t a story that strongly resonates with American culture due to its individual-versus-the-world theme. Instead, Andor is more about collaboration and international dynamics. This might be one reason why it hasn’t received as much admiration for its performances as shows like The Last of Us. While Cassian Andor’s character in Andor becomes a terrorist, which I find intriguing, it may not be as relatable as Pedro Pascal’s character in The Last of Us who is trying to save his daughter. These characters have different values that can influence how people perceive and value their performances.
When considering Andor at this year’s Emmys, a significant question arises: Will the show manage to secure acting nominations beyond Diego, given that the Emmys tend to either recognize entire ensemble casts or none at all? In other words, with shows like The White Lotus, Succession, Ted Lasso, and The Handmaid’s Tale receiving numerous acting nominations, it suggests that some voters may be including multiple cast members from their preferred shows on a single ballot.
In the past, I’ve expressed concerns about having too many individuals from the same show competing in the same category at the Emmys. My suggestion was to limit one representative per show per category. While my opinion remains unchanged, it is important to note that this is merely a proposal and not an official rule.
I understand your point – Andor boasts a stellar cast, and it’s tempting to nominate many of its talented actors. However, the truth is that we can only realistically put forward one or two for awards consideration. The tough choices lie ahead: should we advocate for Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, or even the actor who played our charming revolutionary bellhop? Each one deserves recognition!
Could we potentially be in for a letdown, given that this seems to be shaping up as an unfulfilling or unsatisfying year, much like the fictional series “White Lotus” often portrays?
Even though The White Lotus had a subpar year, those actors carried a significant load. In my ideal situation, it would be Diego, Stellan, and Genevieve who would star. I believe they could thrive, particularly Diego and Genevieve, as they would have the chance to develop these characters further, redefine their arcs, and present them in new ways, exploring different aspects of their roles.
However, the question remains about the Emmy voters’ preference. Is it more likely that they are drawn towards “The White Lotus” due to its narrative of enduring nine months in Thailand for a show that ultimately succeeds? I often find it challenging to predict their choices. Nevertheless, it seems like Disney is promoting Diego, Stellan, and Genevieve, and these selections appear fitting to me.
Joe, do you believe that the finale position of Andor in the series contributes positively to its impact? It’s worth noting that shows like Succession and Mad Men have garnered acclaim at their ends as well.
In the past, television awards like the Emmys didn’t always acknowledge shows as they concluded their runs. Instead, they often moved on to the next thing. However, this trend seems to have shifted more recently towards honoring outgoing series.
My frustration would set in if a show like The Handmaid’s Tale, which is wrapping up its final season, received numerous nominations, because it might be perceived as: “Look at this show that premiered during the Trump presidency and is returning during the same time! And see what it says about our country.”
On the other hand, I find the series Andor to be far more hopeful in terms of its portrayal of human resilience in the face of authoritarian rule.
Could it be that Andor’s nomination is becoming more likely due to the recent events in Ferrix, as the Empire’s deployment of Marines downtown has given the series a new resonance? Perhaps people are now playing the “Rix Road” remix while they burn their Waymos, that much is plausible. You’ve previously pointed out that these narratives can be surprisingly adaptable to real-world events. So while it’s true we’re living through a rather grim reality, Andor holds unique power by providing a long historical perspective on cycles of oppression and offering a potential solution – collective action. This message may resonate differently with voters today than it did two years ago.
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2025-06-13 21:54