Warning: spoilers ahead for Andor episode 4.
The latest episode of Andor on Disney Plus was full of action, as Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) embarked on a dangerous mission to take a stand against the Empire.
However, one of the most intriguing scenes took place without a single blaster in sight, as returning Star Wars favourite Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) held a covert meeting with Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) about their work in the Rebel Alliance.
Dedicated Star Wars fans will have recognised Mon Mothma from her previous appearances in the franchise, and will have been waiting in excited anticipation to discover how she’s going to tie into the narrative of the show.
Here’s what you need to know about the character.
Who is Mon Mothma?
At the time of history that Andor takes place, Mon Mothma is a member of the Imperial Senate.
While she is continuing to work as a politician under the watchful eye of the Empire, she has another more pure-hearted agenda – co-founding the Rebel Alliance to fight back against their dictatorial rule.
The character makes her first appearance in Andor in episode four, when she crosses paths with Luthen, a wealthy individual in high society who behind the scenes is working with Mon Mothma and the Rebel Alliance.
Mon Mothma pretends to go to Luthen to scour for a valuable artefact she can buy as a present for her husband – but when they’re alone, they covertly discuss the latest happenings of the alliance.
She’s aware that her head will be on the chopping block first if they’re found out, but is determined to keep going regardless.
During the Clone Wars, Mon Mothma was an ally of Padmé Amidala, and was vocal in opposing the degree of power that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine received, which resulted in him creating the Empire.
In Rogue One, she informs Jyn Erso that she can’t allow her to carry out a mission to steal the Death Star plans.
However, Jyn ends up going anyway, succeeding and allowing the plans to be transmitted to Princess Leia, setting off the beginning of the original trilogy.
Who plays Mon Mothma in Andor?
Mon Mothma is played in Andor by Genevieve O’Reilly, who’s previously starred in productions including The Young Victoria, The Legend of Tarzan, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
This marks the fourth time she’s played the character in the Star Wars franchise, having first filmed scenes (many of which were cut before being included in bonus material) for the 2005 film Revenge of the Sith.
She reprised her role 11 years later in Rogue One, before also voicing the character in the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels.
Speaking about returning to the character, Genevieve told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘This is such a gift of a role.’
She continued, saying: ‘So to have the opportunity to explore her and delve into her — not just as a Rebel leader, but also as a woman — has been something that I didn’t expect and something that I’m thrilled to be a part of.’
Where has Mon Mothma appeared in the Star Wars universe?
Genevieve isn’t the first actor to have played Mon Mothma in Star Wars, as the character first appeared in the original trilogy.
The character’s debut came in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, where she was played by Poldark actress Caroline Blakiston.
Addressing the legacy left by Caroline, Genevieve said that it has been ‘a genuine privilege to step into the shoes that Caroline Blakiston originated with George Lucas back in the ‘80s, as well as revisiting her at different times in my life’.
Caroline reportedly revealed in a 2006 interview that she wrote to George Lucas asking if she could play Mon Mothma’s grandmother in the later films, but claimed she never heard back from him.
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Andor is available to watch on Disney Plus with new episodes released on Wednesdays.
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