Andor Breaks New Ground in Star Wars with an Unexpectedly Simple Prop

In the vast universe of Star Wars, introducing new elements can be a challenge, especially when it comes to iconic “firsts.” For instance, in Star Wars: Acolyte, we saw the debut of the whip lightsaber, while the Star Wars Holiday Special brought us the Wookiee celebration of Life Day.

Now, after diving into The Art of Andor, we’ve uncovered a surprising “first” that the gritty spy-thriller introduced during its run from 2022 to 2025—something you might not have expected.

The production team behind Andor made a conscious choice to create most props by hand, steering clear of heavy reliance on visual effects. This approach extended to everyday items in the Star Wars universe, including noodle boxes, candy, and even cereal. Yet, amidst all these meticulously crafted props, no one anticipated that Andor would be the series to finally showcase a working toilet in a galaxy far, far away.

Rewind to 2022, when the first season of Andor was streaming on Disney Plus. In episode eight, titled “Narkina-5,” we follow Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he unwinds on the beach planet Niamos, shortly after the successful Aldhani heist. Set in a lush hotel, the episode features a long shot of Cassian before the camera zooms out to reveal the bathroom he’s in. It’s here that we catch a glimpse of a throne we never knew we needed: a sleek steel sink, shower, and toilet combo.

Rebecca Alleway, the set decorator for Andor, shared insights in the companion book, stating, “We had to keep the integrity of Star Wars, and what that stands for, but also tell a story and give each planet character, which was incredibly challenging, but also very exciting.”

Now, before anyone gets defensive, it’s worth noting that toilets have been referenced in Star Wars lore, whether in novels like Reign of the Empire: Mask of Fear or through casual dialogue. There have even been hints of a vac-tube, essentially a toilet, in The Mandalorian and the video game Star Wars: Outlaws.

However, a genuine toilet found in the average working Joe’s home? That was a first for Star Wars, and it didn’t make a splash until Andor’s inaugural season. Don’t worry if you missed it; that was part of Alleway’s design philosophy.

“It was a sort of shower bathroom, and I designed the toilet, but it’s so discreet that you wouldn’t even know it was a toilet.”

While Andor’s introduction of toilets may not be the most glamorous first, it’s a fun piece of trivia for Star Wars enthusiasts eager to showcase their knowledge of the franchise.