Cleveleys’ seafront played a prominent role in an important scene in Andor, the penultimate Star Wars series episode. For filming in 2021 the beach was given a galactic transformation. Scenes from previous episodes of the Disney+ series were also shot on the beach. Actors and crew were seen along the promenade and on the striking concrete flood defense steps. They also spotted Cafe Cove. The area was transformed into Niamos, a fictional luxury resort that features Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna). This show is a prequel to 2016’s Rogue One. Stellan Skarsgard, Andy Serkis and others are also part of the cast.
You can stream the entire series online. Episodes seven and eleven feature scenes that were shot in Fylde Coast, a seaside town just up the road to Blackpool.
The first time viewers saw the new Cleveleys seafront was in episode seven. It was called Announcement and it was available on the streaming service. These scenes show Andor in a luxurious hotel suite with a view of the sea, then walking along the promenade when he meets a droid that looks identical to the one seen in Rogue One.
After viewers were gripped by Andor’s quest to join a revolution against Empire and, ultimately, to find a true purpose and move on from his past as a wheeler-dealer, the series reached a dramatic and emotional close in its final two episodes.
Episode 11, titled Daughter of Ferrix shows Andor as an escapee prisoner who travels back to Niamos in search of some of his belongings. They are hidden in the hotel’s en-suite bathroom. Then, he is shown calling home with a makeshift phone prop that is attached to one of the concrete towers on the promenade.
Andor is shocked to learn that his mother has passed away. He is then shown looking out at the sea and setting the sun with Ruescott Melshi, another prisoner escapee. If you look closely you can see The Big One rollercoaster in one of these shots.
There are obvious parallels between the conversation between Ruescott and Andor on the seafront where they discuss the possibility of splitting up in order to survive. Jyn Erso, Felicity Jones, and Andor, a Rebel soldier who has been fighting for his cause, meet on the beach and are swept away by a massive wave. They then embrace one another in comfort.
This scene is eerily similar in appearance to the Disney+ prequal shot, where Andor looks out at the sea with the sun shining through thick clouds and bounced off the angry ocean. The striking similarities between the scenes have attracted many fans to social media.
Filming took place mainly on location in the UK and at studios in the UK. Stellan Skarsgard, the star of Rogue One, stated that the series would be similar to Rogue One. He added: “I’m looking ahead to it, It’s very well-written.”
After the success of Obi Wan Kenobi and The Mandalorian, Andor is Disney Plus’ latest live-action Star Wars series. It stars Ewan McGregor. Other spin-offs are available, either streaming already or in development, such as Ahsoka and Rangers of the New Republic.
