George R. R. Martin revealed how much her loved Andor out of all the 2025 shows 

Sometimes it just takes one voice to shift the tone. George R. R. Martin spoke up about Andor, and that was enough to make people stop and pay attention. He didn’t say much. Didn’t have to.

The quote showed up on X, shared through Culture Crave. Nothing fancy. Just his words, out there, and they landed exactly as they were.

“Andor’ was this year’s highlight … Far and away the best of the Star Wars spinoffs. Looked gorgeous, Diego Luna was first rate, and there was a realism and tension to the story that was sadly lacking in most of the other spinoffs. It’s nice to see someone doing science fiction right.”

That’s not the kind of praise that gets thrown around often. Especially not by Martin, who’s been in the business long enough to know how much stories can fall short. When he calls something a highlight, especially in a year as full as 2025, that’s saying something.

A different rhythm in the Star Wars world

There’s something about Andor that sets it apart. Maybe it’s how quiet the show feels. Not in a dull way, but in how it lets moments breathe. The focus isn’t on big chases or Jedi mythology. It leans into something smaller. Slower, even.

This isn’t a story about chosen ones. It’s about people trying to survive and eventually finding reasons to fight back. And it doesn’t push that message in a hurry. It takes time. The kind of time most shows don’t give themselves anymore. Maybe that’s part of the reason it landed the way it did. Something about the pacing, the mood, and the restraint stuck with people. It reached viewers in a different way, including someone like George R. R. Martin, who ended up pointing to it as a standout, mostly because of how grounded and tense it all felt.

The story follows Cassian Andor right at the edge of what will later turn into a full rebellion. The world around him isn’t clean or noble. It’s rough, unstable, and full of quiet threats that feel strangely familiar. Nothing looks too polished. Everything seems a little off, a little dangerous. The sets aren’t clean. The lighting is often low. There’s tension in small conversations. It works.

Performance without flash

Diego Luna plays it straight. Nothing too dramatic, no over-the-top speeches. Just steady. That grounded style fits the story. Cassian doesn’t start out with ideals. He’s just surviving. The growth is slow, which feels more honest than most arcs in franchise shows.

Luna’s approach matches the tone the creators are going for. The acting never gets in the way of the story. It blends in. And maybe that’s the point. The world feels real because the people in it don’t act like they know they’re being watched. That quiet realism is part of what caught the attention of George R. R. Martin, who praised both Luna’s performance and the tension that runs through the series without ever needing to shout.

Why George R. R. Martin’s praise matters

George R. R. Martin isn’t someone who weighs in on every new series. He blogs, yes, and sometimes comments on what he’s seen. But often it comes with qualifiers. Not this time.

The quote is clear. Andor stood out to him in a way other shows didn’t. He liked how it looked. He thought Luna delivered. He noticed the tension and the realism. And he called it the best of the Star Wars spin-offs. Not just good, but promising. The best.

Considering how many stories he’s created, edited, or consumed over decades, that level of praise matters. It’s a rare kind of signal.

Reaction from critics and viewers

When the series was released, early reactions from critics were generally positive. Many highlighted the show’s sharper tone and its decision to take a different path from other entries in the franchise. Instead of leaning on nostalgia or well-known characters, it introduced something more grounded and deliberate. That shift in direction helped it gain attention as something beyond a typical Star Wars spin-off, eventually drawing praise from figures like George R. R. Martin.

Viewers didn’t all show up at once. The audience grew slowly. As episodes aired, word-of-mouth picked up. No viral moment or massive premiere. Just consistent storytelling that kept pulling attention over time.

Second season already in progress

Filming for season two is moving forward. The timeline isn’t locked in yet, but most industry reports expect a release either in late 2025 or early 2026. Some delays hit earlier due to production slowdowns, but the series remains active and on track.

The team behind Andor has stayed committed to the same tone. That includes showrunner Tony Gilroy, who’s been clear about keeping the story focused and grounded. No sudden shift in direction, just more of what made the first season work so well. That consistency may be part of what earned the show recognition from George R. R. Martin, who pointed to its careful storytelling as one of its greatest strengths.

A shift in how people talk about sci-fi on TV

George R. R. Martin’s words did more than complement a series. They changed how Andor is being talked about. Not just in fan circles, but among other writers, critics, and people inside the industry. The show had already built its foundation. This just gave it a sharper edge.

It’s no longer treated as a side note in the Star Wars lineup. With George R. R. Martin’s quote spreading online, it became part of a bigger conversation about what science fiction can still do when it takes its time.

The show didn’t break the rules. It followed them carefully, but with intention. No shortcuts, no tricks. Just writing, pacing, design, and acting all work together. That’s what stood out. That’s why it stayed.

And maybe that’s what George R. R. Martin was pointing to. Not flash. Not a surprise. Just a reminder that telling a story with patience and precision still works. And when it works, people notice.