Andor
might have concluded its run, but the spirit of the Rebellion endures. While the acclaimed
Star Wars
series wrapped up its compelling narrative in May, forthcoming books offer a chance to expand upon the story and delve deeper into some of the show’s most compelling, yet underdeveloped, characters.
Announced at
Lucasfilm’s 2025 San Diego Comic-Con panel
along with several other comics and novels, the “Reign of Empire” trilogy, centering on
Mon Mothma
, Bail Organa, and
Saw Gerrera
, has revealed its second and third titles:
Edge of the Abyss
, penned by
Rebecca Roanhorse
, and
From The Ashes
, authored by Fran Wilde. Their release dates are now set for the fall of 2026 and summer of 2027, respectively.
Much like the initial installment,
Mask of Fear
, these upcoming books will trace the journeys of Mon, Bail, and Saw as they continue their struggle against the Galactic Empire’s oppressive regime.
Edge of the Abyss
is particularly interesting because its timeline is situated one year prior to the events of
Andor
season 1.
The
Star Wars
galaxy is immensely diverse, encompassing various eras that each command a devoted fan base. Given the widespread praise garnered by
Andor
, exploring its characters in
Edge of the Abyss
isn’t just desirable, it feels necessary for those captivating characters who deserved more attention on Disney Plus.
While one might assume the television series covered all there is to know about the main characters, I disagree. With the story taking place a year before
Andor
, it presents an ideal opportunity to examine the rise of the Rebellion and address issues overlooked by the show. Why, for instance, is Bail absent from the first season despite his eventual appearance? Furthermore, how did Mon Mothma’s involvement with the Axis Network reach the point where she confidently supported it financially?
My interest is not solely confined to the principal characters of the “Reign of the Empire” trilogy, though. Mon, Bail, and Saw have prominent roles in the overarching
Star Wars
saga, featuring in numerous live-action and animated productions. Therefore, if
Andor
characters are to be included in the subsequent books, supporting players tied to the main trio should also be considered for further development.
A prime example is Luthen Rael. Brilliantly portrayed by
Stellan Skarsgård
, Luthen heads a clandestine intelligence and resistance organization (referred to as the Axis Network by the ISB) committed to dismantling the Empire through acts of rebellion, like the Aldhani heist in season 1. We know Mon Mothma helped fund Luthen, but the nature of their alliance remains unclear. Likewise, Saw and Luthen share a common goal but approach resistance from different angles. The Axis Network’s existence also begs for the inclusion of Luthen’s second-in-command, Kleya Marki.
While I deeply enjoy Kleya (who is easily the highlight of
Andor
season 2), I’m even more intrigued by Mon Mothma’s cousin, Vel Sartha, and Vel’s lover and fellow rebel, Cinta Kaz. Although their roles in season 2 were curtailed and their love story was cut short, Vel and Cinta’s relationship was a fascinating subplot in the first season, and I’d like to learn more about them, specifically Cinta, whose past remains mysterious beyond her family’s destruction at the hands of the Empire.
Beyond the love story of Vel and Cinta, there is also the question of how they got involved with the Axis Network. It’s evident in season 1 that Vel and Mon have long been part of Luthen’s network, but how did that transpire? Did Cinta recruit Vel? Did they encounter each other before Aldhani? Vel’s reasons for joining the Rebellion are never clearly outlined, although the heteronormative traditions of Chandrila suggest that Vel rebels in multiple ways. Nevertheless, she remains one of Mon Mothma’s closest confidantes, both for the Rebellion and in Mon’s personal struggles. Given the unlikelihood of Vel or Cinta ever headlining their own series or film similar to Cassian Andor,
Edge of the Abyss
provides a chance to weave together as many narratives as possible, in concert with Mon Mothma’s continued saga.
Surely, the
Reign of the Empire
trilogy will feature new, original characters that capture attention. Yet with
Andor
‘s chapter concluding, Rebecca Roanhorse (known for
Resistance Reborn
) is positioned to deliver exceptional storytelling: to give
Andor
‘s established characters the depth and development they truly deserve.