The actor reflects on trauma, survival, and representation in a bold new chapter of the franchise — including a powerful moment that marks a watershed for the galaxy far, far away.
Warning: Contains major plot spoilers from Andor Season 2, Episodes 1–3, and discussion of sexual assault.
Adria Arjona knew “Andor” Season 2 would push boundaries, but nothing quite prepared her for what Bix Caleen’s story would demand. As the second and final season of Lucasfilm’s Peabody Award-winning Star Wars series launched with its first three episodes on April 22, viewers found Bix living in quiet isolation on Mina-Rau, an “undocumented” engineer haunted by the Empire’s brutal past and the trauma it inflicted.
“Bix transformed my career and who I am,” Arjona says. “She’s the first character I’ve ever grown with.”
One pivotal sequence — now stirring conversations across fan communities — involves Bix being confronted and assaulted by an Imperial officer, Lt. Krole, who uses his position to threaten her safety and status. When he attempts to sexually assault her, Bix retaliates, killing him with a hammer. The moment, underscored by her scream — “He tried to rape me!” — is a landmark in Star Wars storytelling, confronting abuse of power and survivor justice head-on.
“There was something — I’m going to curse — really f**king powerful about getting to show this in a galaxy far, far away,” says Arjona. “It was an honor Tony gave that moment to Bix.”
A Universe Reflecting Real-World Pain
While the series never shied from political undercurrents, Season 2 heightens its parallels with real-world issues. Bix’s “undocumented” status, her nightmares from past torture, and her relationship with Cassian are all woven into a narrative about resilience in the face of oppression.
“It mirrors how we keep stumbling on the same rock,” Arjona explains. “That’s what I love about Andor — it’s always going to be relevant.”
Even the smallest decisions — like Arjona requesting that Bix’s first act of defense be a backhanded slap — carry personal weight. “It just felt liberating. I had a lot of women in my heart at that time,” she says.
A Performance Grounded in Truth
Bix’s arc this season is steeped in trauma recovery. Arjona researched auditory PTSD and tinnitus to portray Bix’s panic-inducing flashbacks to Season 1’s Empire-induced sonic torture.
“It was scary going into that headspace again,” she admits. “But I was in a safe environment. I just wanted to do it justice.”
She also drew from personal experiences with anxiety and panic attacks, hoping her performance would resonate with viewers facing similar struggles.
A Tattoo, a Legacy, and a Place in Star Wars
On her final day of shooting, Arjona had an “X” tattooed on her right arm — a permanent mark for a role that changed her life.
“I used to watch Star Wars and never thought I could belong there. Now, I do. We all do,” she says. “And the more it mirrors our world, the more powerful it becomes.”
With Andor Season 2 promising more emotional storytelling and Bix stepping into the fight alongside Cassian, Arjona’s voice — and her character’s courage — are blazing a new path in the Star Wars universe.