The Death Star comes to Dorset on the set of new Disney+ series Star Wars: Andor

Filming continued in a coastal hotspot far, far away on Saturday as work resumed on the set of the new Disney+ series, Star Wars: Andor.    

Winspit Quarry in picturesque Dorset served as the unlikely setting for intergalactic conflict, with a small production team endeavoring to transform the derelict location into a futuristic setting. 

Boasting prime, panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by imposing cliffs and jagged rock formations, the site is based at the eastern end of Dorset’s historic Jurassic Coast – a popular destination for holidaymakers. 

New location: Filming continued in a coastal hotspot far, far away on Saturday as work resumed on the set of the new Disney+ series, Star Wars: Andor

Perhaps with its breathtaking scenery in mind, a small area close to the sweeping coastline had been cleared to make way for the forthcoming show’s latest location shoot.   

Notices strategically placed on hilly footpaths close to the quarry indicated it would be closed to visitors from April 26th to May 25th – giving the crew a month long window in which to film.  

Work on the new series is already well underway, with a beachfront cafe in the Lancashire town of Cleveleys recently transformed into a futuristic building for the upcoming Rogue One prequel. 

Here we go: Winspit Quarry in Dorset served as the unlikely setting for intergalactic conflict, with a small production team endeavoring to transform the derelict location

Here we go: Winspit Quarry in Dorset served as the unlikely setting for intergalactic conflict, with a small production team endeavoring to transform the derelict location

Stunning: Boasting prime, panoramic views of the Atlantic and surrounded by imposing cliffs and jagged rock formations, the site is based at the eastern end of Dorset's Jurassic Coast

Stunning: Boasting prime, panoramic views of the Atlantic and surrounded by imposing cliffs and jagged rock formations, the site is based at the eastern end of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Star Wars: Andor will see Diego Luna reprise his role as Captain Andor in a plot that will explore the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire and events leading up to those seen in the 2016 film.

Set five years before the Battle of Yavin, fans will be able to see the Empire in its full glory after being in power for around 14 years following the events of The Revenge Of The Sith.

While plot details have been kept under wraps as is expected of any Star Wars project, it has previously been stated that the show will be an espionage thriller. 

This looks promising: Various props were seen scattered around the abandoned location  on Saturday

This looks promising: Various props were seen scattered around the abandoned location  on Saturday 

All set: A small tent had been erected close to some dilapidated buildings that will no doubt feature in the new series

All set: A small tent had been erected close to some dilapidated buildings that will no doubt feature in the new series 

Coming soon: Set five years before the Battle of Yavin, fans will be able to see the Empire in its full glory after being in power for around 14 years following the events of The Revenge Of The Sith

Coming soon: Set five years before the Battle of Yavin, fans will be able to see the Empire in its full glory after being in power for around 14 years following the events of The Revenge Of The Sith

LucasFilm also confirmed previous reports that Stellan Skarsgård and Kyle Soller had been cast in the show, while they also revealed that Rogue One co-writer Tony Gilroy would write, direct and act as showrunner for the series.

It was also announced that House Of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon, Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy, and The Americans writer Stephen Schiff would also be part of the show’s writing team.

In April 2020, Diego spoke in delight about the forthcoming Rogue One prequel show as he took part in a live Q&A with IndieWire via Instagram.

Stay away: Notices strategically placed on hilly footpaths close to the quarry indicated it would be closed to visitors from April 26th to May 25th - giving the crew a month long window in which to film

Stay away: Notices strategically placed on hilly footpaths close to the quarry indicated it would be closed to visitors from April 26th to May 25th – giving the crew a month long window in which to film 

Busy: Vans could be seen parked on the site ahead of a busy location shoot for the new series

Busy: Vans could be seen parked on the site ahead of a busy location shoot for the new series 

Secret: While plot details have been kept under wraps as is expected of any Star Wars project, it has previously been stated that the show will be an espionage thriller

Secret: While plot details have been kept under wraps as is expected of any Star Wars project, it has previously been stated that the show will be an espionage thriller

The star admitted he had to keep a tight lip on plot details, but has found it a ‘nice challenge’ to return to the character given his bleak end in the Star Wars film.

The show finds Cassian during the early days of the rebellion, and prior to the events of Gareth Edwards’ 2016 spin-off film in which his character dies alongside the crew of Rogue One during their mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.

Sharing his excitement at getting to return to the character, Diego said: ‘I think it’s a nice challenge, it’s a good way to approach a show.

‘What happens when you already know the ending? Everything is in how you tell the story, how many layers you can find, this cant be a show where we surprise you, like oh no it wasn’t him, he didn’t die.

This is the place: The looming cliffs near Winspit Quarry fit in perfectly with the dramatic backdrops traditionally used in Star Wars films

This is the place: The looming cliffs near Winspit Quarry fit in perfectly with the dramatic backdrops traditionally used in Star Wars films 

Incoming: A small van could be seen pulling into the quarry with a tarpaulin covered trailer

Incoming: A small van could be seen pulling into the quarry with a tarpaulin covered trailer 

‘We know the ending… the last scene was a scene we all know so it makes a different part of your brain work, you cant use the same storylines people are used to, now we start with a character that people already know what he’s capable of.’

Meanwhile, Adria Arjona, 28, has been cast as one of the lead characters in the show, and following the news she had been cast, Adria said in December: ‘I don’t know what I can say about it. It’s Star Wars!’

‘I was approached for this project in early 2020 and I sent a self-tape. I was in Paris, shooting a beauty campaign for Armani and they called me and said, “Can you be in London tomorrow?” We want to test you.’

Obi Wan-Kenobi: It has been reported iconic Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi will cross paths with Andor during the 12-part series (pictured actor Ewan McGregor as Kenobi in 1999)

Obi Wan-Kenobi: It has been reported iconic Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi will cross paths with Andor during the 12-part series (pictured actor Ewan McGregor as Kenobi in 1999)

More to come: The Rogue One spinoff is just one of many Star Wars related series' in the works for Disney+ (pictured: Diego Luna in Rogue One)

More to come: The Rogue One spinoff is just one of many Star Wars related series’ in the works for Disney+ (pictured: Diego Luna in Rogue One)

It has been reported online in recent weeks that iconic Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi will cross paths with Andor during the 12-part series.

In addition, Corey Van Dyke, tweeted out that Kenobi wouldn’t be alone in appearing in Andor. He hinted that fans should expect to see Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano too.

The Rogue One spinoff is just one of many Star Wars related series’ in the works for Disney+.

Main man:  Star Wars: Andor will see Diego Luna reprise his role as Captain Andor in a plot that will explore the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire and events leading up to those seen in the 2016 film (pictured on set in Cleveleys, Lancashire)

Main man:  Star Wars: Andor will see Diego Luna reprise his role as Captain Andor in a plot that will explore the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire and events leading up to those seen in the 2016 film (pictured on set in Cleveleys, Lancashire)

Actor Ewan McGregor will be reprising his role as Obi Wan-Kenobi in a series focused on the young Jedi Master. There is no release date at this time.

The influx of Star Wars content stems from the success of Disney+’s very first Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian, which premiered on the streaming platform last year.

It has been announced that the Star Wars TV show, Andor, will be released on Disney+, likely in 2022, and consist of 12 episodes.