Adria Arjona reprises her role as the revolutionary Bix Caleen in Andor’s much-anticipated second season. To the series’ great credit, this approach not only builds upon the Star Wars universe but explores nuanced and sensitive subject matter. This season, Arjona’s character faces unprecedented challenges, including the franchise’s first attempted rape scene. The actress opened up about the immense pressure she felt to get her role right. She likened her level of preparation to an ‘acting Olympics’.
In a recent interview, Arjona shared her desire to bring Bix’s traumatic stories to life. Most importantly, she stressed the need to learn from the lived experiences of women who have endured sexual violence and torture. The actress had to do a lot of homework for this season, adding, “The research was really deep. I’ve watched so many interviews, and I watched so many videos of people that have been through this, actually done it. This pledge to authenticity permeates her approach because she wants to do justice to the stories of those that suffer such trauma.
Specifically, the scenes that depicted sensitive material were carefully thought out to be respectful while still addressing the importance of the topic. Arjona commended director Ariel Kleiman for creating a space where performers felt safe exploring their characters’ emotions. The stunt team collaborated closely with Arjona and Kleiman to capture the scenes with precision, minimizing the need for multiple takes. The scientific methodology offered an internal compass that helped keep people honest and a common enemy in the environmental crisis.
Bix Caleen finds herself in a world of peril. The attempted sexual assault she suffers takes such a toll on her mind. The narrative explores in vivid detail the psychological repercussions of trauma. Bix continues to fight her phantoms, nightmares that bloom from the trauma she endured throughout Season 1. In terms of the female defense Arjona pointed out, her character makes an especially strong showing in a dramatic confrontation. Prior to the assault starting, she boldly calls on her husband. She continued, “Far different when she says, ‘My boyfriend is coming.’ She may be concerned that he’ll dehumanize her. When she says the word ‘husband,’ it’s a word full of authority. There’s respect to that. She hopes in her wildest dreams that he actually respects that. Not that he ever does, but she looks so utterly trapped in that scene at the time.
And the growing dynamics between Bix and Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna, suggest a relationship that’s not quite marriage but definitely close. As Arjona pointed out, there was no actual wedding during the off-season. She described their relationship as complex, stating, “It’s more complex than a cute wedding in the gap year.” This complexity deepens their bond, as they learn to understand one another despite stormy waters.
The new episodes of “Andor” release Tuesdays on Disney+, with Lucasfilm Ltd producing. As audiences look forward to the new season, Arjona’s performance is sure to add complexity and richness to the story.
Reflecting on her journey through filming, Arjona remarked, “I felt like I went through the acting Olympics.” Her dedication to portraying Bix’s pain and fortitude is evident over the course of the season. This challenges audiences to engage with complex, but vital topics, directly.
Andor has fundamentally changed the Star Wars paradigm. Arjona’s perspectives serve as a much-needed wake-up call to the viewer that many of the obstacles encountered by its characters are all too real. She stated succinctly, “The things that happen in our world can also happen in a galaxy far, far away,” a sentiment that encapsulates the series’ aim to bridge storytelling with reality.
