Why don’t Star Wars actors get Emmys despite Diego Luna’s brilliant performance?
The Disappointment of Andor
Despite universal critical acclaim for its second season, “Andor” received just one Emmy acting nomination—Forest Whitaker for Guest Actor.
Meanwhile, Diego Luna’s transformative performance as Cassian Andor and Genevieve O’Reilly’s powerful portrayal as Mon Mothma were completely overlooked.
A Long-Standing Trend
This isn’t new territory for Star Wars fans. In nearly 50 years, the franchise has only earned five acting nominations across all major awards.
Alec Guinness has been the only actor to receive an Oscar nomination (for Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1977).
The TV landscape isn’t much better either—before Whitaker, only Giancarlo Esposito and Timothy Olyphant were recognized for their work in “The Mandalorian.”
The Curse of the Genre
Why do excellent performances in science fiction and fantasy continually go overlooked? The answer lies in Hollywood’s stubborn bias against genre storytelling.
No matter how nuanced or powerful, performances in space operas, horror films, or fantasy worlds are painted with the broad brush of “not serious art.”
Money Talks, Awards Go
Ironically, while genre films dominate the box office, they rarely receive recognition come awards season.
Even “Game of Thrones,” with 164 Emmy nominations across its eight seasons, saw only 32 for acting—a mere 20 percent.
The Disney Factor
Star Wars faces an additional obstacle: Its Disney ownership reinforces the notion that it’s just family entertainment, not prestige television.
Unlike HBO’s reputation for awards-worthy content, Disney is primarily associated with commercial success, not critical acclaim.
What Makes Andor Special
“Andor” seemed poised to break this cycle. Its fearless examination of fascism, rebellion, and hope resonated deeply with both audiences and critics.
Creator Tony Gilroy crafted a series that serves as a powerful metaphor—showing that “the death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil.”
Performances that deserved recognition
The show’s emotional impact comes directly from its actors: Diego Luna’s silent tears as he leaves behind a burning planet;
Genevieve O’Reilly’s steely grace during a speech about how she knows she’ll lose everything; Elizabeth Dulau’s devastating look of loss;
Denise Gough’s portrayal of the destructive power of ambition; and Kyle Soller’s embodiment of cowardice in the face of the terrible truth.
Hollywood’s long-standing arrogance
The Academy’s bias becomes even more apparent when you notice the concentration of nominations—four women and three men from “The White Lotus” in single categories, while the extraordinary ensemble of “Andor” remains unrecognized.
With most upcoming Star Wars shows being animated, “Andor” may be the franchise’s last major bid for Emmy acting recognition for years to come.
For now, fans and critics can only hope that the industry finally catches up to what they already know: great acting transcends genre.