Star Wars fans got their first taste of Andor this week, as three episodes opened the new series on the streaming platform Disney Plus. Taking place before the events of the movie Rogue One, the show delves into the history of its titular hero, Cassian Andor, and exactly what led to him becoming a hero of the Rebellion. It’s already revealed that the character isn’t from the planet Fest as was described in Rogue One, but from the newly-introduced planet of Kenari. The first three episodes of the series also introduced audiences to the character Luthen Rael, played by Stellan Skarsgård, but what role will he have moving forward?
Who is Luthen Rael in Star Wars series Andor?
We first meet Luthen Rael when he pretends to be interested in purchasing parts from the black market, stolen from the Empire. Cassian Andor appears intrigued by the older gentleman, and that curiosity peaks when Luthen offers him a chance to fight for something worthwhile rather than living a life on the run. Though their conversation is an important one, Cassian’s decision is seemingly made for him when the pair are interrupted by corporate soldiers who are hunting the young Andor down, with the intention of killing him on sight. The pair are then forced to work together, only just managing to stay out of the firing line long enough to escape with their lives.
It becomes clear that Luthen is the man who will bring Cassian into the Rebellion, giving him the opportunity to embark on a dangerous and fateful journey that we see conclude in Rogue One. He isn’t the typical mentor type, instead finding Cassian as a stroke of luck rather than someone he would move mountains to recruit for the cause. Now though, he will play a huge part not just in the life of the future rebel hero, but in the history of the entire galaxy. Clearly intent on bringing down the Empire by any means possible, it would appear that his thirst for monumental societal and political change is something that rubs off on Cassian, helping make the man who would be an integral part of stealing the plans for the Death Star.
What do we know about Luthen Rael?
Speaking of the spy ahead of the series’ premiere, creator and head writer Tony Gilroy described him as a “master puppeteer” (via Radio Times) who “comes at the revolution with an incredible intensity.” He added: “Luthen has been out in the galaxy for the past thirteen years talent scouting, building relationships, buying stolen military equipment from one place, selling it someplace else, making sure that people talk to each other, building this huge network.” Gilroy also revealed that Luthen is the person who connects Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) to this story. It will be interesting to see exactly when she is introduced in the series.
Skarsgård meanwhile, has said that while we will learn some things about his character: “still after twelve episodes you don’t know everything.” He continued: “He’s complex and there’s a lot of contradiction in him, which attracts me because I really don’t like the idea of good and evil people. That sort of binary way of looking at humanity, I think, is an incredibly dangerous way to look at humans.” Knowing that there is a second, final season to follow this debut, audiences can expect a slow burn as they get to know Luthen.
