ANDOR, which is also known as Star Wars: Andor, is a critically acclaimed Disney+ show created by Tony Gilroy. It takes place five years before Rogue One and A New Hope, and it’s about a thief named Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) who becomes a rebel hero. Through a grounded, character-driven story, the show looks at how the Rebellion against the Galactic Empire got started.
In its second and final season, ANDOR picks up a year after Season 1’s intense finale. Cassian is now a key operative for Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), deeply embedded in the Rebellion. Twelve episodes make up the season. It’s divided into four main plots with time jumps that show—how a small act of resistance grows into a full-on uprising. This season moves from personal survival to a planned revolution—showing the terrible things that people had to give up to make it happen.
The story delves deeper into the political and emotional turmoil of the Rebellion. Characters like Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), and Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) each face defining moments, while the growing threat of the Empire tightens its grip. Even familiar faces like Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) make impactful appearances, tying into Rogue One more directly. A number of stunning international and domestic locations were used to bring the gritty galaxy of ANDOR to life:
WHERE WAS ANDOR SEASON 1 FILMED?
ANDOR Season 1 was primarily filmed in the United Kingdom. Production began in late November 2020 and was based at Pinewood Studios in London. Unlike other Star Wars series, it didn’t use StageCraft digital sets, opting instead for real-world locations and practical sets to match the grounded tone of Rogue One. The production operated under the working title Pilgrim and included strict COVID-19 protocols.
Filming took place across various UK sites. A large village set was built in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The beach town of Cleveleys in Lancashire became the resort planet Niamos, while London’s Barbican Centre and Canary Wharf doubled as parts of Coruscant, including the Imperial Security Bureau. Additional scenes were shot at the Coryton Refinery in Essex, the disused Winspit Quarry in Dorset, and Black Park near Pinewood Studios. Production also traveled north to Scotland, where Glen Tilt and the Cruachan Dam provided dramatic natural settings, followed by work in Middle Peak Quarry in Derbyshire. Filming wrapped by September 2021 after several months of location-based shooting.
WHERE WAS ANDOR SEASON 2 FILMED?
Filming for ANDOR Season 2 began on November 21, 2022, and ran through February 9, 2024, with multiple interruptions along the way. Initially expected to wrap by August 2023, the shoot was extended due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, which included both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Despite these hurdles, the team managed to keep the production on track with a carefully structured plan.
Andor Season 2 was filmed in a variety of locations, primarily in the United Kingdom and Spain, to create its diverse and immersive Star Wars settings. Here are the key filming locations based on available information:
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ANDOR SEASON 2 FILMING LOCATIONS
Winspit Quarry, Dorset, England: This location, previously used in Season 1 as Saw Gerrera’s base, was utilized again for Season 2. Filming took place in April 2023, suggesting a return of Saw Gerrera or his Partisan group. The quarry’s rugged cliffs and caves provided a fitting backdrop for a covert Rebel hideout.
Hever Castle, England: Hever Castle, a historic site in Kent, England, was used as a new filming location for ANDOR Season 2. Known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the castle’s rich architecture and scenic grounds provided a majestic and possibly politically charged backdrop—ideal for the Star Wars universe’s expanding lore.
Wales, United Kingdom: The production also utilized Wales’ stunning landscapes—mountains, beaches, and castles—for several key scenes. Its cinematic terrain has featured in hits like Doctor Who and World War Z.
Canary Wharf, Greater London, England: Filming was reported at this modern financial district in June 2023, likely used to portray the sleek, urban environments of Coruscant, as it was in Season 1 and Rogue One. Its contemporary architecture suits the Imperial capital’s aesthetic.
Barbican Estate, London, England: This brutalist architectural complex was used for Season 2 filming in February 2023, likely representing Coruscant again, as it did in Season 1 for scenes involving Vel Sartha. Its stark, concrete design aligns with the Empire’s oppressive aesthetic.
Oxford, England: Filming took place in Oxford in July 2023, amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, though specific sites or their narrative purpose were not detailed. This suggests additional urban or institutional settings for the season.
Bristol, England: Reshoots and pick-up shots were filmed in Bristol in July 2024, indicating late-stage production adjustments. The specific locations within Bristol were not specified, but this added to the season’s UK-based filming.
Iver Heath, England (Pinewood Studios), Buckinghamshire, England: As with Season 1, Pinewood Studios served as a primary hub for interior sets, such as spaceship cockpits and other controlled environments. Its extensive facilities supported the show’s practical set-building approach, avoiding heavy reliance on Lucasfilm’s Volume technology.
Valencia, Spain: A significant new location for Season 2, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, known for its futuristic architecture, was used to depict sci-fi settings, potentially representing Coruscant or a new planet like Chandrila. Filming occurred around March to April 2023, with cast members including Diego Luna, Genevieve O’Reilly, and Stellan Skarsgård spotted on set. The nearby Castell de Xàtiva, a historic fortress, was also used, possibly for a distinct planetary setting.
Despite the turbulent production schedule, the second and final season of ANDOR is set to deliver a thrilling, well-crafted lead-in to the events of Rogue One. The creative team’s persistence through delays and strategic use of global filming locations have only heightened the anticipation for what promises to be an epic conclusion to Cassian Andor’s story.
🛰️ Keep checking back with tvacute.com for more updates, breakdowns, and exclusive insights on ANDOR Season 2 and the ever-expanding Star Wars galaxy.
