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In many ways, Star Wars' Mon Mothma is a central figure in the rise and ultimate success of the Rebel Alliance as the Empire. One of the last politicians in the Galactic Senate as it gives way to Emperor Palpatine, and then she (and others) slow muster the forces (and courage) to publicly step out and step up against the dark forces that would enforce a tyrannical rule against its people - and everyone in the galaxy.

For Geneveive O'Reilly, it's a story she's been involved with for the last 20 years - beginning when she was cast by Star Wars creator George Lucas as a young Mon Mothma for 2006's Revenge of the Sith. But here now, 20 years since she filmed her first scenes, she's finally coming into her own with her character making the ultimate choice in the upcoming final season of Star Wars' Andor on Disney+. 

"This season takes us to whole new worlds, with whole new people," O'Reilly says during the Andor season 2 panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025. "We start in Chandrila, which is Mon Mothma's ancestral home. We start with a wedding and all the complications that brings, and then we drive and reach... and for Mon Mothma in particular, you see her have to work and graft under the eyes of the Empire."

O'Reilly is the longest-tenured Star Wars actor on the Andor series, having begun playing Mon Mothma in 2006's Episode III: Revenge of the Sith through to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor, as well as Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka.

"And we go to some dark places this season," O'Reilly continues. "So she must step out of the shadows and risk everything to speak some truth."

Earlier this year, O'Reilly told GamesRadar+ that her character's Andor story arc is something she had been hoping for since 2006's Revenge of the Sith, when a majority of her scenes were cut.

"I always hoped that she could have this moment for the character, for her, for who this woman is within that universe," O'Reilly told GamesRadar+. "And I feel very privileged that I got the opportunity to play it [and] to play her in this moment."

Earlier today at Star Wars Celebration Japan, O'Reilly said that what the cast, crew, and showrunner Tony Gilroy have created is something special -and they're excited to finally tell the finale of their story.

"We feel like we've been sitting on a little bit of a diamond, and we've been waiting to share it with you. We hope you like it."

Spoilers: O'Reilly's Mon Mothma won't die in the Andor series finale - her character lives on at least through Return of the Jedi's finale, where she is the leader of the Rebellion.

Star Wars' Andor season 2 debuts April 22 on Disney+.

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