Andor Writer Dan Gilroy Reveals the Historic Roots Behind Mon Mothma’s Senate Speech

One of the most talked-about moments in Andor wasn’t a battle, a betrayal, or a spy operation — it was a speech.

Now, writer Dan Gilroy has shed light on just how carefully that moment was constructed, revealing that Mon Mothma’s Senate address was inspired by some of the most significant political speeches in modern history.

A speech built like history

Gilroy pointed out a striking detail:

Mon Mothma’s speech measures 269 words — just three words shorter than Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

That comparison wasn’t accidental.

The speech’s structure and tone draw directly from Lincoln’s rhetorical style, particularly the moral clarity and sense of historic urgency found in his first inaugural address.

A blend of global voices

But Lincoln wasn’t the only influence. Gilroy explained that Mon’s words also echo the oratory traditions of:

• President John F. Kennedy
• British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Mahatma Gandhi

That combination of voices helps explain why the scene carries such weight. Rather than sounding like fictional political dialogue, the speech feels grounded in real-world traditions of resistance, moral appeal, and public courage.

Why it works so well in Andor

Andor has often been praised for treating Star Wars politics with unusual seriousness. Instead of quick exposition, the series leans into systems, institutions, and the human cost of authoritarian control.

Mon Mothma’s speech represents a turning point — not because of explosions or spectacle, but because of public truth spoken at personal risk. Drawing on the rhythms of historic speeches reinforces that this moment is about more than plot progression; it’s about moral positioning.

The allusions to real-world leaders of wartime resolve, civil rights, and nonviolent resistance frame Mon not just as a senator, but as a figure in the tradition of history’s most consequential voices.

Fiction with real historical gravity

By shaping the speech around historical precedents, Gilroy anchors Andor’s storytelling in something recognizable: the idea that words, delivered at the right moment, can shift the direction of events.

It’s a reminder that Star Wars has always blended myth and history — and that sometimes, the most powerful weapon in the galaxy is not a starfighter, but a sentence.

Stay connected with the galaxy’s latest updates!

Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, bsky or Pinterest for exclusive content, mod guides, Star Wars gaming news, and more. Your support helps keep the Holonet alive—one click at a time.