Diego Luna is one of Mexico’s most internationally known actors, as well as one of the most popular stars in his own country. After his early years acting in Mexican soap operas, he went on to steal the spotlight with his performance in Y Tu Mamá También (2001), which also served to raise the profile of director Alfonso Cuarón. From there, Luna has traveled a multifaceted path, working with indie royalty such as Gus Van Sant and Harmony Korine, mainstream giants like Steven Spielberg and Kevin Costner, venerable auteurs like Woody Allen and Bill Condon, and a good number of younger figures from the Mexican film world as well. His body of work is a testament to his versatility and maturity.

Luna is also known to be one of the most affable men in a profession that includes many difficult stars. He’s directed short films, television series, videos, documentaries, and feature films. He has also produced more than 40 works, written screenplays, and even sung, without ever letting any of it go to his head.

The Mexican actor now strikes again with the second season of one of TV’s most acclaimed recent series: Andor, premiering on Disney+ on April 22. Luna plays Cassian Andor, protagonist of a dark tale set in the Star Wars universe that has been described as “if Ken Loach had made a Star Wars movie.” Loach, a cult British director, has devoted his entire life to films portraying class struggle, the challenges facing working-class families, and even the Spanish Civil War. Many consider him to be one of the most militant filmmakers of his generation.

“Wow. Bringing up a guy like him, with such a distinguished career, to talk about Andor—I think I know where you’re going,” says Luna. “The communities [in his films] have always needed to tell their stories, and it has never been more important to tell these stories from the bottom up, as he often does. Right now the world is defined by a struggle for power, and this series talks about exactly that.

Luna is no stranger to the world of the Jedi. His most commercial film to date, Rogue One—a critical as well as a popular success—is also set in the Star Wars universe, and many consider it the saga’s most unusual installment. “I think Andor wouldn’t exist without Rogue One,” says Luna. “I also think that Rogue One is exceptional in every way. Andor has a great plus, which is that you don’t have to have seen any of the Star Wars films to enjoy it. A number of people have told me, ‘I’m not interested in Star Wars, and I’ve never followed the movies. But I’ve seen Andor and I really like it.’ And that’s because if you like genres like political dramas, spy series, and mysteries, this is a series you can watch and enjoy without having to be a loyal follower of the saga.”

Andor found a place in the hearts of fans thanks to a story that skips clichés, instead describing a rebellion led by the galaxy’s forgotten and disinherited. The show feels enormously relevant. “I agree with that, but I’d add another thought,” Luna says. “This series would have been important 10 years ago and will be important 10 years from now, because it is a reflection on how communities can take control and fight for their destiny. It reflects on the responsibilities of being a citizen, which have long existed, are important now, and will continue to be in the future.

A scene from Andor.DES WILLIE /©2024 LUCASFILM LTD & TM.

Luna as Cassian Andor in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.JONATHAN OLLEY/©WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES/LUCASFILM LTD./CORTESÍA DE EVERETT COLLECTION (ROGUE ONE).

“The characters in Andor, just like real human beings, often exist in gray areas,” he continues. “We portray real people, people without hope. They’re all downtrodden, but there’s still this sense that something has to happen. We know Cassian will become a hero, but we know there may be more than one path to that conclusion. This is something I’ve said many times before: When we talk about revolution, the message we’re sending out is that any revolution starts with yourself.”