Andor’s Bail Organa Recast: Why Benjamin Bratt Replaced Jimmy Smits, and Why Fans Are Divided

Spoilers for the Andor episode, “What a Festive Evening,” lie ahead.

The highly anticipated second season of Andor is now in full flow, and following the first six episodes, it’s operating at peak performance. As the series – accessible via a Disney+ subscription – carries on its journey, it’s expanding the lore within the Star Wars universe. One of the recent episodes even introduces a fresh face to the franchise, who takes on a well-established character in the distant galaxy. Executive Producer Tony Gilroy offered a compelling reason for the significant recast, but I can’t help but miss the original actor not returning to their role.

In the sixth episode of this gripping second season, I found myself delving into the clandestine activities of Senator Mon Mothma, a key figure in the burgeoning rebellion. Accompanied by my spouse, we attended a private viewing of an exquisite art collection. En route, we bumped into fellow Senator Bail Organa, a man with whom Mon has shared a long-standing rapport. Interestingly, Jimmy Smits, who’s portrayed Organa in the past, was replaced this time by Benjamin Bratt, another seasoned actor whose performance left an indelible impression.

Some dedicated Star Wars enthusiasts might have felt surprised or confused upon learning that a new actor portrayed Senator Organa in the series “Andor”. However, there’s a valid explanation behind this change – Tony Gilroy shared with TVLine that Jimmy Smits was busy filming the CBS drama “East New York” at the same time when “Andor” Season 2 was shooting Organa’s scenes in Valencia, Spain. Gilroy candidly acknowledged the various factors that can complicate casting decisions.

Occasionally, reintroducing classic characters can prove challenging due to numerous factors. . . . It seemed they struggled to make it fit.

It’s clear that there are reasons why Jimmy Smits couldn’t reprise his role again, but it’s still unfortunate that we didn’t get to see him this time around. He initially played Bail Organa in 2002’s “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” and later returned to the character in 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith” and 2016’s “Rogue One.” He also made a brief appearance as Bail in the limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Throughout these roles, Smits has consistently brought a subtle power and noble demeanor to the character of Bail.

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Regarding those earlier mentioned traits, it’s disappointing that the alum from “In the Heights” wasn’t able to come back as Princess Leia Organa’s adoptive father. Interestingly, there were whispers in 2020 that he might take up the role again for “Andor”. Later on, Smits himself hinted at a possible comeback, stating that with Disney now controlling the creative aspects, there were numerous opportunities (as demonstrated by his reappearance during “Obi-Wan Kenobi”).

Although I’m sad that Jimmy Smits didn’t reprise his role, I must acknowledge the impressive performance of Benjamin Bratt in “Star Wars.” As a talented actor like Smits, he adds depth to the character of Organa and it can’t be easy to step into such an iconic franchise, especially replacing a well-established star. Kudos to Bratt for nailing his role, and credit also goes to Tony Gilroy and the team for skillfully handling the recast.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed if Jimmy Smits will reprise his role as Bail Organa in future Star Wars movies or series, fans can enjoy his past performances in the saga on Disney+. Don’t forget to tune in for new episodes of Andor, airing at 9 p.m. ET every Tuesday, as part of the 2025 TV lineup on the streaming platform.

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2025-04-30 17:40