Andor Showrunner Tony Gilroy ceases producing the hit show
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy has ceased all non-writing duties on the Disney+ show during the writers’ strike. This came after he faced accusations on social media for breaking the writers’ strike, and continuing non-writing duties for Disney.
Gilroy said that he hasn’t been present on the set of Andor since the strike began on May 2. “I discontinued all writing and writing-related work on Andor prior to midnight, May 1,” he said in a statement. “After being briefed on the Saturday showrunner meeting, I informed Chris Keyser at the WGA [Writers Guild of America] on Sunday morning that I would also be ceasing ALL non-writing producing functions.”
Gilroy ceased all non-writing duties on the Disney+ show on May 7, after a discussion with Chris Keyser of the WGA. Although accusations arose on social media the following day suggesting Gilroy had broken the writers’ strike, his cessation of non-writing duties had already taken place. Andor will continue production without Gilroy. It is currently filming in the UK, and is set to come out in 2024.
Showrunners have been facing the dilemma of where the writing process on a TV stops, and when other duties began.
On Friday May 5, several studios, including Disney, sent out letters to showrunners demanding showrunners continue their non-writing roles during the strike. This was labelled as “union-busting tactics” by the WGA, and that cutting episodes for time, small dialogue or narration changes and any changes in technical or stage directions are banned during a strike.
The following day, during a WGA meeting, many showrunners spoke out about the difficulties in separating writing and producing.
Andor stars Diego Luna as the titular character, as he goes through the process of becoming a committed rebel fighting against the Empire. It acts as a prequel to Rogue One. Season two will see him more directly involved in the Rebellion, with footage shown at 2023 Star Wars Celebrations showing Andor on a mission for the Rebel Alliance.
It also includes Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael, Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, and Faye Marsay as Vel Sartha.
