Friends of the Force: A Star Wars Podcast

We're thrilled to bring you our in-person roundtable interview with ANDOR creator & showrunner Tony Gilroy at the Lucasfilm office in San Francisco! We discussed the idea of "inspiring mania," the scope of season two, his writing process, and much more. Big thank you to Lucasfilm for the opportunity, and shoutout to Talking Bay 94⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Skytalkers Podcast⁠⁠ for tag-teaming this with us as...

Amy Ratcliffe joins the podcast to discuss the updated and expanded edition of “Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy” from Chronicle Books! We highlight the newest additions — including Maarva Ando, Avar Kriss, & Omega — and what it means for Amy to return to the book that started her writing journey in a galaxy far, far away. Join our Patreon to support the show and gain access to our exclusive bon...

ANDOR might be over but it hasn't left our hearts. This week, we're looking back at season two by ranking all 12 episodes the best to the *absolute* best. Which episode will steal our personal #1 spot? Tune in to find out! Plus, some highlights from our Andor-infused trip to Lucasfilm. Join our Patreon to support the show and gain access to our exclusive bonus episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Web...

May the Force be with you, Captain. This week, we say goodbye to our beloved emotional-support television show ANDOR by discussing the final three episodes — “Make It Stop,” “Who Else Knows?”, & “Jedha, Kyber, Erso” — which are directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios and written by Tom Bissell. Join our Patreon to support the show and gain access to our exclusive bonus episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Website:...

Our ANDOR season two coverage continues with episodes seven through nine — “Messenger,” “Who Are You?”, & “Welcome to the Rebellion” — which are directed by Janus Metz and written by Dan Gilroy. Join our Patreon to support the show and gain access to our exclusive bonus episodes ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ ! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/36zwf8ay Twitter: https://x.c...

Our ANDOR season two coverage continues with episodes four through six — “Ever Been To Ghorman?,” “I Have Friends Everywhere,” & “What A Festive Evening” — which are directed by Ariel Kleiman and written by Beau Willimon. Join our Patreon to support the show and gain access to our exclusive bonus episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ ! Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/36zw...

ANDOR is back, baby! Season two is officially here, and we are taking a deep dive into the first three episodes — “One Year Later,” “Sagrona Teema,” & “Harvest” — which are directed by Ariel Kleiman and written by Tony Gilroy. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/36zwf8ay Thank you to all of our Patrons, includi...

Live from Star Wars Celebration Japan on the Holonet News Stage, it's Friends of the Force! Join us as we look back at the events of our Star Wars-filled weekend in Tokyo including the latest tv/movie/book news and what's keeping us excited about the galaxy far, far away. Plus, no fire alarms! Yep, you heard us: NO! FIRE! ALARMS! It's a Friends of the Force miracle! That's how the Force works, rig...

ANDOR season two is nearly here! We're previewing the road ahead with our friends over at Stardust Records with tons of fun speculation and theories. What happens at the Ghorman Massacre? How do we meet K2? Who lives and who dies? Where is the handoff to Rogue One? All of this and more in our final podcast before our season two coverage begins. Note: this episode was recorded before we received ad...

This week as part of ANDOR APRIL, we're breaking down the artistry of the costumes and set design that defined ANDOR's first season. Whether it's the ruggedness of Ferrix, the iconic closet of Mon Mothma, or the sterile and uninviting nature of Narkina 5, ANDOR brings us some of the most authentic people and locations that define its prestige quality. As a reminder, our podcast will be...

Oppression is the mask of fear... ANDOR APRIL continues with our deep dive into “Star Wars: The Mask of Fear” by Alexander Freed. This kicks off the Reign of the Empire trilogy and delivers the political thriller we've always wanted in a galaxy far, far away. We discuss Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Saw Gerrera, and the state of democracy in the aftermath of the Clone Wars. Plus, we draw some meani...

ANDOR APRIL is here! In anticipation of season two's release, we're spending all month talking about ANDOR and only ANDOR. This week, we kick things off by ranking every season one episode from least best to best best (because they're all the best) and highlighting key moments across each arc. As a reminder, our podcast will be LIVE from the Holonet News Stage at Star Wars Celebration Japan on Sun...

Brandon Wainerdi joins the podcast to discuss one of DK's latest and greatest reference books, “Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy.” We reflect on the role of reference books in our childhoods, learn about Brandon's journey in earning his first official Star Wars author byline, and more! Check out Brandon's other work — including his podcast Talking Bay 94 and...

For the first time since 2023, the Golden Gorg Awards are back and better than ever! In celebration of the upcoming Revenge of the Sith 20th anniversary, we're hosting the fourth-ever Gorg Awards to celebrate the cinematic achievements of Episode III. Join us as we dish out the coveted Gorg across nine categories including Best Music Track, Best Costume, Best Sound Effect, and Best Scene. Webs...

The revolution starts... now! ANDOR spring is officially upon us with the release of the season two trailer and we are SO back. We discuss the trailer's tone with the backdrop of country music artist Steve Earle, what we're most excited for, and where this final season of Andor could be taking us. Plus, we have an exciting announcement for our April coverage! Website: http://www.friendsoft...

We're thrilled to welcome back author Alexander Freed to celebrate his triumphant return to Star Wars publishing after four years with “THE MASK OF FEAR.” We dive into the timely political scene of the Empire's early reign, the promise of peace in a war-torn galaxy, the complex journeys of Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, & Saw Gerrera, and much more. This interview is spoiler-free , so if you...

In celebration of the maestro's 93rd birthday, we're discussing the "Music by John Williams" documentary directed by Laurent Bouzereau. We reflect on how Williams' music has influenced our lives, our favorite sound bites from the documentary, and the how his music will live on in a galaxy far, far away. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Blue...

Claimsies! This week, we're looking back at season one of SKELETON CREW with our friend Darth Mollie to talk about how this beloved series set itself apart, the mysteries of At Attin, our most cherished Neel moments, and more. Website: http://www.friendsoftheforcepod.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/friendsoftheforce Bluesky: https://tinyurl.com/36zwf8ay Thank you to all of our Patrons, includi...

We're closing out the year by diving into "Star Wars: Tempest Breaker," the latest High Republic audio drama by Cavan Scott. Where does Lourna Dee fit into the narrative as we head into wave three? What are Marchion Ro's remaining options to control the Blight and achieve galactic dominance? What does the future hold for Keeve Trennis? All of this and more on our final episode of 2024! Website: ht...

Have you ever heard the tragedy of the Tolemites? Well then you came to the right place! Join us as we bounce off the walls while discussing the latest High Republic young-adult novel "Tears of the Nameless" by George Mann. The numerous hours of #EggTalk finally come together as we look to the past to save the galaxy's future from the Nameless and the Blight. We also dive into Reath Silas and Amad...

Dr. Chris Kempshall joins the podcast to discuss his first official Star Wars book, "The Rise of Fall of the Galactic Empire," which is an in-universe reference book written from the perspective of Beaumont Kin. We highlight Chris' background as a historian who specializes in the First World War and representations of warfare in media, and unpack the process of putting this profound and must-read...

Hello there! We're back from a short hiatus to dive into the latest High Republic middle-grade novel "Beware the Nameless" by Zoraida Córdova. We discuss Churo the Hutt's journey as an outsider just trying to fit in, the ongoing threat of the Nameless, and why Tep Tep might be the key to all of this by asking the one question that matters most. Plus, the latest Star Wars books news to come out of...

This week, we're looking back at Star Wars Resistance with Suzie McGrath, the voice behind Team Fireball mechanic Tam Ryvora! Suzie reflects on her experience joining the Star Wars galaxy, Tam's story arc and the importance of empathy, and more. Remembering Resistance Day is an online event celebrating the legacy of Star Wars Resistance and is hosted annually on August 29. Spread the Resis...

We're finally tackling one of our most anticipated books of the year: TEMPTATION OF THE FORCE by Tessa Gratton! We dive into the intimacy between Avar and Elzar, why love can ignite the stars, the encroaching Blight and Marchion Ro's grand scheme, fighting fear with empathy, and how this book ties into the potential endgame of the High Republic. (Spoilers ahead) Independent Bookstore of th...

On today's episode, we're bringing you a roundtable interview with the iconic Dee Bradley Baker, whose voice-acting work has been a pillar of Star Wars animation for over a decade. Dee is best known for voicing the clones in both The Clone Wars & The Bad Batch, in addition to numerous other characters across multiple series. He's now lending his talents to the one and only Nubs in...