• Adria Arjona returns as revolutionary Bix Caleen in season 2 of Andor.
• The actress breaks down the burden and duty of depicting the primary tried rape scene in Star Wars historical past.
• Issues aren't going to get significantly better for Bix going ahead as she wrestles with PTSD.

Within the Star Wars universe, there's been no scarcity of urged violence towards ladies (we don't even need to know what Jabba was planning on doing with "Slave Leia").

However in episode 3 of the second season of Andor, the present crosses a dramatic rubicon for the franchise and depicts an tried rape. As Imperial forces descend on the planet the place Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) is hiding out, she and her fellow Ferrix refugees are saved on their toes.

Alone in her secure home, Bix is pinned down by Imperial lieutenant Krole (Alex Waldmann), one of many officers conducting a purported audit on the planet. After telling her, “I do know you’re unlawful. We’ve been counting visas. It’s a troublesome spot for everybody," he then presents a repulsive deal — have intercourse with him and he received't flip her in.

When she begs him not to do that, he ignores her pleas and makes an attempt to drive himself on her, frightening Bix into self-defense, which incorporates bludgeoning him with a wrench a number of instances as they descend right into a brawl.

Although the scene was brutal and taxing, Arjona praises director Ariel Kleiman for creating an surroundings that felt secure for the performers. "We had an incredible stunt workforce and accomplice in Ari as a director, who shot that scene scientifically and in such a exact means in order to avoid wasting us from doing 1,000,000 takes," Arjona notes.

"It was difficult as a result of everybody concerned within the creation of that scene felt the significance of what this scene meant, not just for the present, however for Star Wars," she provides. "However I additionally felt extremely secure and cushioned within the means of doing it. It's one thing Tony Gilroy does. He brings this mirror impact that [shows] the issues that occur in our world can even occur in a galaxy far, far-off."

Earlier than Krole assaults Bix, he circles her like a predator in earlier scenes through which she invokes the tried and true feminine line of protection, mentioning her husband. Arjona desires to guarantee followers, nonetheless, that although they primarily act like a married couple, we didn't miss a Bix and Cassian (Diego Luna) marriage ceremony within the low season.

"It's a means of escaping," she explains. "It's very completely different for her to say, 'My boyfriend is coming.' She may really feel that he received't respect her, proper? But when she says, my husband, there's energy to that. There's respect to that. She hopes in her wildest goals that he respects that. After all he doesn't, however she feels extremely cornered at that second."

"It's extra advanced than a cute marriage ceremony within the hole yr." she continues. "She's making an attempt to get out of a really difficult state of affairs that, as ladies, we sadly are caught in fairly a bit."

Diego Luna got stopped at airport security with an 'Andor' blaster 'Andor' creator Tony Gilroy teases 'hellacious' season 2 for Mon Mothma

Bix is put by means of the proverbial ringer this season, with the primary block of episodes culminating on this tried assault. However she's already not doing properly; she's affected by nightmares concerning the torture she skilled in season 1.

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For Arjona, she discovered solace and inspiration in real-life accounts of girls who’ve survived rape and torture. "I felt like I went by means of the appearing Olympics," she says of season 2. "The analysis was heavier. I've learn so many interviews and I noticed so many movies of those who have truly gone by means of this."

"That course of was probably the most draining," she displays. "And it stayed with me. By the point that I used to be doing the scenes, it felt like I used to be telling a bit a part of the story of the 5 people who I actually honed in on their tales. [People] that nobody actually is aware of about. It felt like I used to be making them proud. They do not know who I’m, however it was a bit homage that I used to be carrying by means of."

Andor season 2 drops new episodes Tuesdays on Disney+.

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