An early concept for the Star Wars series Andor, developed by writer-director Jared Bush, originally featured a different romantic interest for the titular character. The official companion book, The Art of Andor, reveals that the series was initially conceived as a spy drama with a focus on "Cold War-style spycraft" and a larger role for the droid K-2SO.
Bush's original vision, outlined in an August 2018 series bible, introduced a mercenary named Avnee who would play a significant role in Cassian Andor's life. Avnee was described as a blue-eyed, blue-skinned alien who operated on Okara, selling intel to the highest bidder. Her history with Cassian was suggested to have been romantic, positioning her as a key figure in his missions.
This contrasts with the established relationship in Tony Gilroy's Andor series, which centers on Cassian's fraught history with Bix Caleen. While Cassian and Bix share a past as lovers, Bix is depicted as a character with strong convictions and unwavering support for the Rebellion, a stark difference from Avnee's mercenary, non-aligned nature. The series eventually explored Cassian's complex relationships and the personal sacrifices he made to become the hardened rebel seen in Rogue One.
While Bush's version of Andor never came to fruition, the concept of Cassian pursuing a relationship with someone whose ideals diverged from his own offers a glimpse into alternative narrative paths for the character and the Star Wars universe.