In a recent conversation with Variety, renowned writer Beau Willimon reflected on his involvement with several fan-favorite projects. Currently, he serves as an executive producer for Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series Severance, and has also contributed as a writer for both seasons of the highly praised Andor series.

During his discussion with the trade publication, Willimon drew an interesting parallel, likening his experience of writing for Star Wars to being a session musician on someone else’s album. His professional relationship with Andor creator Tony Gilroy originated from their work together on Willimon’s Netflix series House of Cards, where Gilroy was involved as a consulting producer.

Willimon recounted the inception of his collaboration with Gilroy on Andor, stating, “When he began developing Andor, he approached me to write several episodes. I was taken aback, as I have been a Star Wars fan since childhood, yet I don’t consider myself an expert. Tony’s response was, ‘the less you know, the better, since I aim to tell a human story, a grown-up story.’”

He went on to describe the six-week period he, Tony Gilroy, and Dan Gilroy dedicated to breaking the story for Andor. Willimon noted, “I was freed from the usual burdens that come with being a showrunner. My sole responsibility was to deliver scripts to my friend Tony, and as long as he was pleased with them, I was content.”

Regarding the current season of Lucasfilm’s hit series, Willimon expressed his pride, stating, “I am very proud of the second season.”

Willimon also played a pivotal role in fleshing out the world of Severance for the show’s second season on Apple TV+. Although this type of role is not typical for him, he took on the position of executive producer to offer additional support.

“I assisted with the production side, working closely with the writers,” Willimon explained. “It was an extraordinary experience, given that there’s nothing quite like this show. I’m drawn to projects that challenge me, and with Severance, it was about navigating a beautifully constructed world and tone. I aimed to help the team bring the second season to life, serving the story in any way I could.”

Willimon reflected on how his experiences with Andor and Severance, which involved supporting someone else’s vision, have given him a newfound appreciation for producing. “At times, I can offer a bit of distance and perspective that proves helpful, or I can provide pure, practical assistance. I don’t have to bear the burden of it being my own project; I can simply help someone else nurture it.”

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