With its focus on regular people in the margins of the Skywalker saga, Andor has given the Star Wars franchise some of its most badass characters. Reluctant Rebel hero Cassian Andor and his allies contend with Imperial spies, empowered prisoners, and everyone in between to spread a message of hope to a galaxy under the Empire's heel.
Even Cassian's enemies, especially those in the Imperial Security Bureau, prove to be compelling in their own ways. Larger-than-life villains such as Darth Vader have been exchanged for methodical bureaucrats like Dedra Meero and Syril Karn, and Rebel heroes include Ferrix workers and prisoners on Narkina 5, with the most badass taking part in the most action while also having the most to lose.
10 Karis Nemik
A young and idealistic member of Vel Sartha's group of Rebel spies, Karis Nemik believes that good can conquer evil, not because of its inherent altruism, but because certain egalitarian ideas will triumph with enough dedicated minds behind their proliferation.
Knowing he's not the most experienced member of the Aldhani mission, Nemik nevertheless proves his worth, and is one of the most pivotal figures in the early stages of Cassian's journey to joining the Rebellion. Nemik knows that words are as good as weapons in the long war, and his spirit lives on when Cassian puts his manifesto into action.
9 Bix Caleen
Operating a scrapyard out of the Free Trade sector of Ferrix, Bix Caleen managed to keep her association with the Rebellion hidden from the Empire, but involvement with Cassian eventually led to her secrets rising to the surface of public scrutiny. Eventually, she's captured and tortured by the ISB in order to reveal her contacts.
Not only does Bix remain loyal to Cassian until the end, she also remains steadfast in her defiance of the Empire, loyal to the Rebellion even as she undergos some of the most uniquely horrific torture seen in the franchise.
8 Vel Sartha
One of Andor's most intelligent characters, Vel Sartha knows how to operate as easily in a Rebel network of spies as she does around her cousin, Senator Mon Mothma. She's the point of the spear on the Aldhani mission, and one of its only survivors thanks to her quick-thinking and resourcefulness.
Vel sacrificed many of the creature comforts Mon still enjoys in order to pledge herself to the Rebellion, bridging a gap between its gritty reality and heady idealism. She has a lot to lose on both sides, but somehow sustains herself on the idea that with enough good people in opposition the Empire will fall.
7 Maarva Andor
Cassian's adopted mother Maarva Andor plays a pivotal role in the series, not just because she rescues Cassian from potentially being killed by Republic forces, but because she remains a steadfast beacon for him even as he enters into a life of illegal operations. She reminds him that despite all the wickedness he sees in the galaxy, goodness and altruism still have a place.
Unbeknownst to Cassian, Maarva has been secretly part of a sleeper cell for some time, passing information for the burgeoning Rebellion and helping Ferrix stay connected to what's coming. When she makes the ultimate sacrifice, Ferrix is galvanized behind one of its most unassuming figures, and she proves herself a true Rebel hero to the end.
6 Brasso
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A burly Grappler and friend of Cassian's, Brasso represents the everyman; someone who could easily keep his mouth shut and mind his own business, but finds himself increasingly unable to do so as the Empire extends its reach to Ferrix, and makes his life more and more miserable. Instead, Brasso starts to engage in small, subversive things that can undermine his overlords.
Brasso's defining moment comes towards the end of the series when he leads the fight against the Imperial occupying forces and shows what can happen when enough people rise up. He doesn't consider himself particularly special, but he becomes an unwitting symbol for change the moment he takes decisive action.
5 Kino Loy
Kino Loy is a Star Wars character that doesn't fit an archetype, and as a result immediately stands out with his arc. As a ringleader on Narkina 5, he acts as Cassian's gruff warden, desiring nothing more than to keep his head down, do his time, and get released from the prison with his sentence fulfilled.
Once he realizes the Empire has no intention of ever keeping its word, he joins Cassian in a prison revolt, knowing that he alone holds the sway to ignite the prisoners' passion for escape. Despite not knowing how to swim, Kino leads the men to their freedom from the landlocked prison, a badass inspiration to all who know him.
4 Dedra Meero
A devoted member of the ISB, Dedra Meero believes the ends always justify the means, and doesn't see the Empire as a fascist regime but rather a well-oiled system of governance. As a security officer intent on rising through the ranks, she faces discrimination from peers she views as inferior, but remains dedicated to achieving her goals.
As an antagonist, Dedra might not be the flashiest of Star Wars villains, but she makes the behind-the-scenes components of the Empire fascinating. She doesn't hide behind false modesty while conveying the ruthlessness of her organization, and when she's cornered, she becomes dangerous and unpredictable.
3 Mon Mothma
She may not find herself in the middle of a battlefield, but Mon Mothma dodges blaster bolts of a different kind, often the result of friendly fire. Balancing on a razor's edge both in the Imperial Senate, at home, and in the public sector, she must make increasingly uncomfortable decisions with repercussions that send ripples throughout the galaxy.
Not only is she a leader of the Rebel Alliance that doesn't get enough credit, she's a politician and a socialite in the public eye under the most intense scrutiny. One false move and not only will her position of influence fall like a house of cards, she won't be able to render aid to any of her associates in the Rebellion.
2 Luthen Rael
One of the best original Disney characters to enter the franchise in recent years, Luthen Rael perfectly represents the uncomfortable shadow games one must play in order to win against a well-engineered enemy like the Empire. Operating an antique shop by day that caters to Imperial glitterati and running a Rebel sleeper cell by night, he must constantly exist stretched thin between two worlds.
His, "What do you know of sacrifice?" speech is both inspiring and heartbreaking, since Luthen knows his actions, which go unrecognized by design, bring him no accolades, and warrant no close attachments with anyone.
1 Cassian Andor
From the very beginning, Cassian Andor spends his time jumping from one fire to the next and becoming part of increasingly dangerous situations that demand his resilience. Despite an outwardly cool and cautious demeanor, his mind is always racing to find the next opportunity, either for a big score or a big escape. Cassian operates on a lean and dirty set of morals that keep him alive, but as he becomes embroiled in the early days of the Rebellion, those ethics shift.
After a spectacular trial by fire including the Aldhani mission and imprisonment on Narkina 5, Cassian transforms from a person who cares only about himself to someone who cares about a galaxy full of citizens under strict Imperial rule. Cassian does what few are willing to do despite being just as afraid as they are, and for that, he's the most badass of all the Andor characters.
Source:gamerant.com