The Mandalorian has been notorious for having shorter runtime on the majority of its episodes compared to the other prestige TV shows that are also airing at the same time.
There are several factors regarding why the hit Star Wars show's episode runtimes have been shorter whether it's story purposes or budgetary reasons as we've seen on its cinematic production values that we don't usually see on a typical TV show.
Now, one of the stars of the show has chimed in on the conversation and given an explanation regarding its unusual runtime.
Katee Sackhoff Opens Up About The Mandalorian's Shorter Episode Runtime
In the recent episode of her podcast Blah Blah Blah (via The Direct), Katee Sackhoff and guest Bryce Dallas Howard, who directed a couple of episodes of The Mandalorian, were discussing how projects with bigger scale always require "so many people" to make it happen.
The Bo-Katan Kryze actress went on to share her thoughts regarding the debate on The Mandalorian's shorter runtime of their episodes and explained why they have such length.
"That’s why I tell people that Mando is like... They’re always so confused why it takes so long for us to shoot and why the episodes are, in their minds, so short," she said.
"And I’m like, ‘There are so many moving parts to this that you have no idea.’"
If we take Sackhoff's explanation, it sounds like the show's massive production values make it impossible for them to commit to a larger runtime than a TV show usually does which is in alignment with the theory that perhaps the decision was all budgetary.
After all, a longer runtime requires a bigger production budget for them and it's more economical for them to have a shorter length but still provide high-quality production to the viewers.
Whether you agree with Sackhoff's explanation or not, it is a plausible reason from a production standpoint. A runtime also doesn't determine the quality of an episode since it still depends on the direction and writing at the end of the day.
As long as the shows are great and entertaining, the audience wouldn't definitely have a runtime that is either shorter or longer as long as quality storytelling is still present.
Also Read: The Mandalorian: Dave Filoni Reveals Reason for Renouncing Baby Yoda
The first three seasons of The Mandalorian are available to stream on Disney+.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!