Many actors have continued to reflect on what Andor has meant to them. One actress who continues to speak on the positive influence of her role is Adria Arjona. The actress, known before for films such as Pacific Rim: Uprising, portrayed the character of Bix Caleen in the Star Wars series.
She recently spoke of the challenge, emotion, and reward of working on the second season of the series with StarWars.com, saying, “There’s no way really to prepare yourself other than just diving in head first and trusting in Tony’s writing. Really putting yourself in Bix’s shoes, through all that Bix has gone through. It’s a challenge.”
The character's arc throughout both seasons was as strong and compelling as any we have seen from a Star Wars character in the franchise. She was tortured at the hands of an Imperial doctor in the first season, then suffered an attempted assault in the second.
She even made the painful yet powerful decision to leave her partner, Cassian Andor. It was for love of him, their coming child, and the rebellion's overall cause. Arjona brought such care and strength to each of her scenes, it's hard for me not to imagine showing her as a role model for when my daughter is old enough to watch the series.
In terms of the assault scene, Arjona spoke of the power of the moment. “It’s a very dark scene and the themes around that scene are very real and complex,” recalls Arjona. “But to be able to throw a punch was very gratifying.”
The character of Bix was able to kill the officer who assaulted her and gain the upper hand in the scene. Although it has been debated among fans, there is power in her regaining control. I served in the Air Force and saw firsthand the ordeal that assault can have on a young woman I served with. Bix also got revenge on her tormentor during the first season. She was able to kill and torment him herself during the second season.
For Arjona, having a character who experiences real-world problems was impactful on her as much as it was for the audience. She auditioned a few years ago for an earlier character within the franchise. She did not get the part, but now appreciates what it led to, saying, "Years later, I’m in Andor, and it was just meant to be. This is the Star Wars that I was meant to be in, and I was meant to play Bix. I just feel happy."
In my opinion, the legacy of Andor will continue, as will Arjona's role. Her impact on the small screen will be felt for years to come.