The following contains spoilers for Andor Season 1, Episode 9, "Nobody's Listening!", now streaming on Disney+.
Andy Serkis has made a considerable splash on Andor in a very short amount of time. As Kino Loy -- the tough-but-pragmatic prison leader on Narkina 5 -- he becomes a key ally to Cassian Andor at the conclusion of Season 1, Episode 9, "Nobody's Listening!" The actor's appearance is notable because it's his second one in the Star Wars franchise, having memorably played Supreme Leader Snoke in the sequel trilogy.
Indeed, fan theories have sprung up drawing connections to the two characters, which may yet bear out. Regardless, the character marks another triumph in Serkis' career. While the special effect and the actor may have made a natural fit with Snoke, the character himself was left wanting for material. Kino Loy, by contrast, corrects that oversight, in large part due to the complete lack of Serkis' signature use of CGI.
Snoke Was Great, But an Underused Star Wars Villain
Star Wars leans heavily on CGI characters, so often that they've become expected. Serkis is one of the pioneers of CGI performances: having made his name playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and racking up an impressive series of similar characters in the ensuing 20 years. A figure like Snoke is to be expected from such a performer, with his preternaturally sunken cheeks and a skull ready to collapse in on itself. It's no surprise that Serkis took the role, nor that he delivered another brilliant performance with it.
Ironically, Snoke himself is viewed as something of a lost opportunity. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi threw a ringer at audiences by killing him off, while Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker made him a clone of Palpatine, used to pave the way for The Emperor's return. It left Snoke himself distressingly underdeveloped, regardless of the narrative necessity. And while Serkis's performance is above reproach, the character's CGI appearance now stands out far more than the character it's intended to convey.
Andor and Kino Loy Presents Serkis Without the CGI
Compared to Snoke, Kino Loy requires no special effects, which is in keeping with Andor's no-nonsense approach to the Star Wars universe. While Serkis has given plenty of performances similarly devoid of bells and whistles, they're uncommon enough for this one to merit attention. This is especially true when considering the effects-laden nature of the Star Wars franchise.
For a show like Andor, Serkis' new character aptly matches the assignment. Kino is tough and pragmatic, but in his own way, he's looking out for the common good. He preaches patience, urging the other prisoners to keep their heads down and do their time quietly until they're paroled. That changes in "Nobody's Listening!" when it becomes clear that parole is a myth. The Empire intends to keep them all there in one form or another until they die. Serkis reveals the effect on Loy almost without dialogue, as betrayal slowly gives way to grim determination. When Cassian asks him about the guard count, he readily gives a reply.
It's the kind of moment that Andor thrives on: a hard-hitting emotional payoff after a slow-burn development. With Serkis, it has the ideal actor to deliver on it, with a character as far from Snoke as one can get. Stripping away the CGI -- which appears counterintuitive at first -- reveals just how strong a performer Serkis has always been. Even at its best, the technology still relies on a good actor to sell the character. With Kino, Serkis aptly demonstrates why, and delivers the character both he and Andor deserve in the process.
New episodes of Andor stream every Wednesday on Disney+.