The latest batch of new Andor Season 2 episodes on Disney+ take place three years before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, specifically during “Senate Investiture.” It’s the annual swearing in of all of the Senators in the Imperial Senate. While a morning news show that characters like Bix (Adria Arjona) and Eedy (Kathryn Hunter) idly watch hypes this week for its glamour and gossip, it’s a full on press of stressful personal encounters for secret Rebel leader Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and her friends, allies, and enemies.
In Andor Season 2 Episode 6 “What a Festive Evening,” Rogue One baddie Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) is buzzing around Coruscant, as is Senator Mothma’s closest canonical ally, Bail Organa. Only this time the Senator from Alderaan and adoptive father of Princess Leia is not played by Jimmy Smits…
**Spoilers for Andor Season 2 Episode 6 “What a Festive Evening,” now streaming on Disney+**
Andor Season 2 replaces long-time Bail Organa actor Jimmy Smits with new actor Benjamin Bratt. The Alderaan leader’s overall look is pretty much the same, only it’s a new actor?
What’s going on? Who is Bail Organa in the first place? Why might the Disney+ show have replaced Smits with Bratt? And why is this character’s sudden appearance in Andor Season 2 Episode 6 more than your average Star Wars Easter egg?
Why Did Andor Replace Jimmy Smits with Benjamin Bratt as Senator Bail Organa?
Benjamin Bratt makes his Star Wars debut as Senator Bail Organa in Andor Season 2 Episode 6.
Now there’s no clear reason why Andor recast the role of Senator Bail Organa, especially since Jimmy Smits just reprised the role from Rogue One and the prequel trilogy a few years ago in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. It could have come down to scheduling conflicts or it may have been a creative choice from showrunner Tony Gilroy.
Nevertheless, it’s important that Senator Bail Organa shows up at this point in Andor Season 2.
So much of Andor Season 1 and Season 2 has fixated on how the Empire’s crushing fascist rule is designed to overwhelm and isolate people. Up until now, Mon Mothma has been depicted as the only Senator working alongside Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) to topple the Empire. Now, halfway through the second season, Mon has an ally in the Senate. Sure, he’s leaving the party she’s about to join, but the key is that Bail Organa is in the mix.
There’s no way to know if this is simply a cameo or if Benjamin Bratt will be back as Senator Bail Organa, but the character is key to the events that will lead to Princess Leia’s role in the Rebellion…
Who is Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars? All About Princess Leia’s Adoptive Dad:
Senator Bail Organa was Princess Leia’s adoptive father. He was initially mentioned in the novelizations of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope and now non-canon spin-off texts like the early Star Wars Marvel comics.
George Lucas officially introduced Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. He would go on to play the role again in Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Senator Bail Organa famously gave up his own surname when he married Princess Breha Organa of Alderaan. Bail Organa was a close ally of Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) of Naboo and Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila. All three believed in democracy over tyranny and trusted the Jedi Order.
When Senator Amidala dies giving birth to her secret twins by Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), Leia is adopted by Senator Organa and raised as his own daughter and political heir apparent. At some point between Andor Season 2 Episode 6 and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Senator Bail Organa steps down from office and Princess Leia takes up his office.
Bail Organa died when the Death Star blew up his pacifist home world of Alderaan in the original Star Wars film.
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