‘Andor’ Star Says TV Is “Poor Man’s Storytelling” — But He Made an Exception for ‘Andor’

Stellan Skarsgård, the veteran Swedish actor known for his roles in Good Will Hunting, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently opened up about why he usually avoids television projects.

In an interview with The Film Stage, Skarsgård described TV as “poor man’s storytelling” but explained why he made an exception for the Disney+ series Andor.

“‘Andor’ wasn’t traditional television. Normal television writing is: everything is in the text, everything is explained. So it doesn’t matter who plays it or who directs it; people will understand it even while they’re doing the wash or cleaning the kitchen. It’s poor man’s storytelling, easy and cheap. I get depressed when I watch it,” he said.

Skarsgård has built a career over decades playing both dramatic and genre roles. He gained international attention with films like Breaking the Waves and Good Will Hunting, and he became a familiar face in Hollywood through roles in Mamma Mia!, Angels & Demons, and as the villainous Erik Selvig in the MCU.

Despite his extensive film career, Skarsgård says he has mostly avoided television because he feels it often simplifies storytelling for mass audiences.

However, he praised Andor for breaking that mold. The Star Wars prequel series, centered on Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, offered complex characters and layered narratives that appealed to him as an actor.

Skarsgård’s performance as Luthen Rael has been praised for adding depth and gravitas to the series, demonstrating that high-quality TV can be just as artistically rewarding as film.

By taking on Andor, Skarsgård said he found a project that respected the craft of acting and storytelling. His comments suggest that while he remains skeptical of conventional television, shows that take risks and prioritize quality writing can still capture his interest.

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