Genevieve O’Reilly, the actress who has brought the character of Mon Mothma to life in the Star Wars universe, has been captivating audiences with her performances across multiple Star Wars productions. From her initial appearance in 2005’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” to her recent portrayal in “Andor”, O’Reilly’s embodiment of the character has been nothing short of impressive.
Mon Mothma, the Imperial senator turned Rebellion leader, was first introduced by O’Reilly in “Revenge of the Sith. However, most of her scenes were unfortunately cut. The character was later reprised by O’Reilly in “Star Wars Rebels”, where she lent her voice to the animated series. It was in “Andor”, though, that O’Reilly truly got the chance to delve into the character’s depth, portraying her struggle against the Empire while dealing with familial conflicts.
In an interview with Discussing Film, O’Reilly expressed her delight at the opportunity to revisit the character of Mon Mothma. She stated, “What a lovely surprise to have the opportunity to play this woman again, and not only play her but to actually discover her as a woman, not just as the senator – to really stretch within her to find out about her life and who she was.”
O’Reilly’s compelling performance in “Andor” caught the attention of Star Wars producers Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, who invited her to reprise her role in the upcoming series “Ahsoka. This series is set after the fall of the Empire, providing O’Reilly with the unique opportunity to portray Mon Mothma across different eras of the Star Wars timeline.
The actress expressed her excitement about joining the “Ahsoka” cast, praising the innovative filmmaking techniques used by Filoni and Favreau. She also expressed admiration for her co-stars, Rosario Dawson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and looked forward to working with them.
“Andor” has been received positively by Star Wars fans, despite its departure from the traditional Jedi-centric narrative. The gritty and bleak atmosphere of the show has been embraced as a refreshing change. O’Reilly shared her gratitude for the fans’ acceptance of the show, stating, “It really meant so much that the fans put their arms around Andor. It feels like a very different piece of work from other Star Wars projects, so it could have been something that they didn’t enjoy. But the fans have loved it, are invested in it, and are curious about it.”
As the filming of “Andor” season two is underway, fans eagerly await its release. However, due to the ongoing strikes by Hollywood writers and actors, there may be potential delays. Nonetheless, the anticipation for the continuation of the Star Wars universe remains high among its dedicated fanbase.
As O’Reilly continues to bring Mon Mothma to life, her performances serve as a testament to the depth and complexity of the Star Wars universe. Her portrayal of the character across different timelines and series has added a richness to the narrative, making Mon Mothma a character to watch in the upcoming Star Wars productions.
