Andy Serkis Interview: Andor

With Andor season 1 drawing to a close, the latest Star Wars series still has the capacity to surprise viewers with its twists—the latest one involving new character Kino Loy, played by Andy Serkis. Crafted as a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the new espionage drama focuses on how Cassian Andor was brought into the fold of the Rebel Alliance in the struggle against the Empire’s iron grip. Kino Loy, meanwhile, was introduced in episode 8 of the series as a fellow prisoner at Narkina 5.

In just two short weeks, Serkis’ role in Andor has already shifted dramatically. He started off as a by-the-book inmate who kept morale up and productivity high, but he soon opens his eyes to the truth behind the prison and seems ready to team up with Cassian (who was posing as “Keef Girgo” when they met). The last few episodes of season 1 are sure to be a roller coaster ride as they try to outmaneuver the guards and make their escape.

Screen Rant spoke to Serkis about his return to the Star Wars franchise after his experience as Snoke in the sequel trilogy, his respect for the vision of Andor creator Tony Gilroy, and what fans can expect as Kino Loy’s arc plays out in season 1.

Andy Serkis on Andor

After playing Snoke in the sequel trilogy, what was it about Andor and the character of Kino Loy that drew you back into Star Wars?

Andy Serkis: I was such a big fan of Rogue One. I just thought Tony Gilroy had created an incredible story there. Just coming into the universe again, but from a completely different point of view with that grounded humanity that Rogue One had, I found really intoxicating. And just when Tony and I talked about the character of Kino, [I wanted] to play a character that goes on the journey that he does, and actually to play someone who—pre his incarceration—is inherently a good human being who cares for others.

I always saw him as a foreman or a shop steward on a factory floor, who was very vocal and stood up for workers’ rights. Then once he was incarcerated for no reason other than the Empire saw him as perhaps a little bit of a threat, he just became this other version of himself, which was kind of cold and shut down. He just wanted to get through the day and serve his time and get out. Then he finds his humanity again, once he is ignited by meeting Cassian. It was such a lovely storyline with a really great sacrificial ending that I was really drawn to.

Can you talk to me about working with Diego Luna and what you think Kino’s first impression of Andor is?

Andy Serkis: Working with Diego was fantastic. He’s such a brilliant actor and a great storyteller. He’s a director himself, of course, and he’s an executive producer on this series. He understood that world thoroughly. Obviously, he’s owned it in Rogue One, but he is so fantastically honest in his performance and makes such an engaging everyman character. And he doesn’t play the hero that is never beaten down; he’s really great at going through a journey, and he’s very humble. Cassian Andor has humility as well, which is a really interesting part of his character.

When Kino and he rubbed shoulders, at first he sees him as this strange threat who’s going to ruffle his routine, become a bad influence, and really screw up the line that he’s desperately trying to keep working to clockwork. He’s sort of on the floor, and he’s running these people’s lives so that they get rewards, not punishment. He’s being desensitized into that role and can’t think beyond that, and when Cassian starts asking difficult questions and actually starts to rile everybody up, he finds that an incredible threat. Until the turning point where he begins to think he’s actually seeing the truth, which reignites his truth. It’s really great to play that relationship with Diego.

Kino has a massive shift from episode 8 to 9, after learning about the other prisoner’s fate. Can you talk to me about that evolution?

Andy Serkis: He begins to realize that there are rumors flying around between the floors. There are seven floors, and the moment where they can go from the factory floor back to their cells, there are these tubes which are like human test tubes with electrified floors. But it offers a moment where prisoners can sign to each other and communicate.

Obviously, there’s been some accident or something going on that they’re trying to figure out. Throughout the course of episode 9, he begins to realize that perhaps the Empire, the prison ship and the guards, is not as in control as he’s been led to believe. Cassian has really dug deep and found out information, and there’s the possibility they’re never going to get released. And that for him is so crushing.

He has a family outside, he’s been working towards his release, and now this is the moment that turns him—compounded with the death of one of the inmates who was one of the longest serving on his floor, and who he begins to care for. When he’s euthanized at the end, he realizes that they’ve got to do something about it. That’s the beginning of a transformation in his character.

An image of Kino Roy looking angry in Andor

What can you tease us about episode 10? Cause it seems like Kino’s possibly going to help Andor with a prison break.

Andy Serkis: Yeah, exactly. The turning point at the end of episode 9 is so crushing for him. He begins to realize that he has been deluding himself—and not only deluding himself, but actually being untruthful to himself. He’s lost his inner core. And I think we see him beginning to question the possibility, “What if there is a way of getting by and getting out and releasing all of the prisoners?” We start to see, throughout the course of episode 10, him buying into that and enabling that to happen.

Andor has felt more grounded and gritty in comparison to other Star Wars projects. What was it like working with Tony Gilroy to find that tone, especially in that sterile prison environment?

Andy Serkis: Tony has got such authority and clarity of vision in constructing this world. The Star Wars universe is, on the whole, very good-and-evil or black-and-white. It’s very dark and light, and this is all about the gray areas. This is all about the murky, emotionally complex, grit in the oyster storytelling.

And he thrives. You can tell that he loves that arena with the prison ship, and all of the characters throughout the course of the series. But the prison ship and the arc that I’m part of really has all of that. It feels like he is telling a story about the power of the individual to fight against a divide-and-rule political system. It feels very contemporary, very Zeitgeist and yet mythic. And he has a very clear way of coming about that.

What did you want to bring to Kino that wasn’t necessarily on the page?

Andy Serkis: Well, I think it’s that thing of having the journey of the character before you even see him. Carrying his tension, his pain, his psychological distress—and burying that underneath his power. He’s a natural leader, but he’s someone who’s been imprisoned for nothing. He’s imprisoned by a totalitarian state and completely powerless, and no matter how you tried and fight that, you have your will broken. I think that was what I was trying to bring to him.

I’m a huge fan of Batman. What can we expect from Alfred in The Batman sequel? Is there a villain you would like to see that film tackle?

Andy Serkis: I don’t know where we are with Alfred now. I just don’t know where that’s going to go. I’m sure Matt Reeves is going to craft something incredible because he always does. He’s another formidable storyteller that always goes for the heart.

Villain-wise, I’d like to see… Sandman. [Laughs] A little bit of a crossover. I think that would be interesting.

You’re a fantastic director, and I absolutely love your work. Is there any chance that you’d want to direct a Star Wars film or Disney+ series?

Andy Serkis: Oh, I would. Yeah, of course. It’s the most incredible universe, and any director would love the opportunity to do that. Yeah, hopefully at some point.

About Andor

Andor superimposed over a group of prisoners building

Andor will explore a new perspective from theâ¯Star Warsâ¯galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.â¯

Check out our other interviews with Andor stars here: