Dan Gilroy won at the Emmys and took home the award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. He was honored for penning Andor’s season 2 episode Welcome to the Rebellion, and this marked his first-ever Emmy win. During his speech, he singled out Genevieve O’Reilly to express his gratitude.
He said, “Genevieve O’Reilly, whose incomparable talent and heart brought the episode to life.” She plays Mon Mothma, the Chandrilan senator and rebel leader in Andor, and the moment of Gilroy’s acknowledgment was important because, despite her amazing performance in the episode and the series at large, the actress wasn’t even nominated at the Emmys.
How Dan Gilroy’s Emmy Speech Honored Genevieve O’Reilly From Andor
Dan Gilroy’s win was already monumental for his career. He wrote only six episodes for Andor and turned the show into the most gripping drama on television. Welcome to the Rebellion was the ninth episode of the second season, directed by Janus Metz, and has a rating of 9.6/10 on IMDB.
But what truly defined his winning moment was not the trophy in his hand, but the choice to highlight Genevieve O’Reilly. She has portrayed Mon Mothma in the Star Wars universe since 2005. And in Andor, she became more than just a background leader, as the series reframed her into a vulnerable figure who balances her Senate duties but also has secret ties to the Rebellion.
By naming O’Reilly, Gilroy turned his personal triumph into a shared moment. She was overlooked by Emmy voters, and her name might not be engraved on Gilroy’s trophy, but his winning it is a reflection of O’Reilly’s artistry, and of course, his talent as a screenwriter.
Why Mon Mothma’s Actress Genevieve O’Reilly Deserved an Emmy Nomination
Genevieve O’Reilly’s delivery in the Senate speech, as her character condemns the Ghorman Massacre and calls out the emperor, was the emotional peak of the episode. Without her restraint, timing, and conviction, Dan Gilroy’s writing might have felt like just another political rant.
Her snub at the Emmys is difficult to justify because she truly delivered one of the franchise’s most transformative performances, and her contribution to Andor season 2 was immense. It’s hard to come across subtle acting that doesn’t look emotionally hollow, and O’Reilly truly knows how to walk that line.
Andor did not have typical Star Wars-like scenes and battles; it was built as more of a political drama. And it worked because of actors like O’Reilly, who truly made it feel like the stakes were high and kept us invested throughout the show.
So, what do you think, did Emmy voters make a mistake by leaving her out?
You can watch Andor on Disney+ (USA).
