The character of Mon Mothma is essential not only to Andor, but also to Star Wars as a whole, and the journey she has taken is nothing short of transformative – especially for actor Genevieve O’Reilly. O’Reilly was first cast in the role of Mon Mothma in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, although all her scenes were sadly cut from the movie. Still, those Revenge of the Sith deleted scenes revealed how pivotal a character Mon really is, and it’s something that has continued to manifest in her later Star Wars stories.

Speaking on an Andor livestream hosted by Star Wars, O’Reilly discussed how Mon Mothma has changed ever since she first stepped into the role. Having now portrayed Mon in projects such as Star Wars Rebels, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and, of course, Andor, O’Reilly has not only brought Mon’s journey to life through the years, but has also witnessed it along with the rest of us. For her, Mon’s growth from a simple historical figure to a deeply complex character has been the highlight of it all.

I think Andor has revealed [Mon Mothma] her to me in a way that I never had access to before. She was always such a pillar of a figure, such an important, vital pillar within the history and the architecture of the peace previously. What Andor reveals is a really textured, complicated woman, and I have the joy I have found in playing her and discovering that through Tony [Gilroy]’s writing.

Mon Mothma Has Evolved Into One Of Star Wars’ Most Complex Characters

She’s So Much More Than A Rebel Leader

There’s no doubt that Mon Mothma is now one of Star Wars’ most complex characters, and it’s an absolutely beautiful and perfect change. It makes total sense for the senator-turned-Rebel-leader to be so much more than just the figurehead she seemed to be in Return of the Jedi. She’s someone who’s given so much of herself to the cause, risking everything she is and everything she has to save the galaxy from the influence of the Galactic Empire.

Every new story further evolves Mon Mothma’s character, too, from the live-action TV shows to novels like Alexander Freed’s Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear. She’s even been given an important part to play in the stories of the New Republic era, as she appeared in the New Republic Senate in Ahsoka. Mon is so much more than just a political figure, or even a leader, and seeing these very human parts of her has perfectly complicated her character in the best way.

Our Take On Mon Mothma

The Best Is Yet To Come

Mon Mothma has certainly become a much more captivating character for me after Andor. While she was already a fascinating character to begin with, there was so little actually known about her as a person, and the more we learn about her specifically, the more complex she becomes. There’s nothing I really enjoy more, especially in a galaxy like Star Wars, than a complex character.

This is especially accredited to the way O’Reilly portrays her. The breathtaking vulnerability and sincerity with which she plays her in Andor makes her performance one of the best in the entire TV show, perhaps even in the franchise itself. I get chills merely thinking about how that will continue to evolve. Her journey in Andor season 2 will truly be something to watch, as it will see her transform from a secret Rebel in the Senate to one of the most influential leaders of the Rebel Alliance itself.

Andor season 2 premieres its first three episodes April 22 on Disney+.

Source: Star Wars