Adria Arjona’s Commemoration of Bix Caleen

On the final day of filming for “Andor,” Adria Arjona honored her character, Bix Caleen, by getting a small tattoo of an “X” on her right arm. This tattoo symbolizes her professional growth through the role of the tenacious mechanic in Lucasfilm’s acclaimed series, which debuted its second and final season on April 22 with three episodes.

Reflecting on her experience, Arjona expressed, “Bix transformed my career in many ways, and transformed me as a person… It’s the first character that I’ve ever grown with. She’s taught me a lot.”

Bix’s Struggles in Season 2

At the close of Season 1, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) rescues Bix from severe torture inflicted by the Empire. The second season begins one year later, depicting Bix’s life on the agricultural planet Mina-Rau, where she works as an engineer and is often labeled as “undocumented.”

Arjona noted that while she filmed the episodes a year and a half ago, the parallels to contemporary issues regarding immigration are striking. She stated, “It’s just mirroring that we keep stumbling on the same rock… It’s relevant now, and it’s going to be relevant in five years and 10 and 20 and 50 years, because we keep doing the same thing.”

A Harrowing Encounter with Power Dynamics

In a pivotal moment of Episode 3, an Imperial officer named Lt. Krole (Alex Waldmann) confronts Bix at her home, revealing his knowledge of her immigration status—the scene underscores the oppressive nature of authority. Krole’s dialogue, “I’m always looking for ways to…relax,” quickly turns predatory as he attempts to dominate her physically.

Bix’s resistance culminates in a fierce struggle when she shouts, “I said no!” Her ensuing act of self-defense sees her using a hammer to fatally injure Krole, a moment that Arjona described as a powerful narrative choice within the “Star Wars” universe. She remarked, “The fact that Tony gave it to Bix was a big honor — and it was right. She’s in the most vulnerable state she can possibly be in, and someone tries to take advantage of her.”

Portraying Trauma and Survival

The emotional weight of Bix’s storyline pushes Arjona to explore deep personal themes. She grapples with PTSD from her past torment, which becomes particularly acute when Cassian is away on Rebel missions. In preparation for her role, she researched the psychological impacts of auditory torture, describing her experience: “It was probably some of the hardest stuff I’ve had to do.”

Arjona expresses her intent to represent the struggles faced by many, saying, “It just felt really liberating to be able to do that. I had a lot of women in my heart at that time.”

Reflections on the Role

For Arjona, being part of “Star Wars” extends beyond performance. She credits showrunner Tony Gilroy for recognizing her potential and casting her in the role, which has significant personal impact: “Tony saw something in me that I didn’t even know I was capable of.” She articulates a transformative connection to the series, stating, “We belong in ‘Star Wars.’ The more ‘Star Wars’ is expanding, the more it’s becoming a mirror of our real world, and it’s beautiful.”