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Stargate Universe: The Cast and Characters

While fans are eagerly awaiting their first look at The Destiny and more details on the new Stargate series, the Sci Fi Channel has given us a brief glimpse into the characters and the actors who play them.

Assisting in the launch of the series is once again Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks who are reprising their roles of General Jack O’Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson. It’s only fitting that those two help to get this show off their feet, they did it for Atlantis, and given that it’s centered on an Ancient ship it only makes sense to bring in the Ancient expert. It also really wouldn’t make much sense to not show (or at least mention) the person in charge of Homeworld Security and the Stargate Program if one of their teams goes missing while under attack. While Shanks is only scheduled to be in the premier, Anderson will be in at least 6 episodes. One more familiar face to Stargate fans will be making a guest appearance; Gate Technician Sergeant Walter Harriman as played by Gary Jones.

Now, the new crew:

Dr. Nicholas Rush, played by Robert Carlyle.

Dr. Nicholas Rush is a civilian scientist that is in charge of the project to unlock the secret of the ninth chevron on the gate. Once stranded on The Destiny, he and Col. Everett Young clash over control of the team.

Robert Carlyle, born in Glasgow, Scotland, is not only a well known actor, but experienced enough that the series creators were surprised they would be able to get him. His latest credits include the movie Stone of Destiny and 24: Redemption and can also be seen in The Full Monty and Trainspotting.

Colonel Everett Young, played by Justin Louis

Described as a sharp edged Jack O’Neill type character, he is an SG team veteran who intended to serve out the rest of his commission on Earth. Posted as temporary commander of the Icarus Base he keeps a tight leash on his team, scarred by the loss of two members of his SG team a few years earlier.

With a wide variety of television and movie credits under his belt, this Portugese national should be an interesting addition to Stargate. His credits include many shows from 21 Jump Street to Street Legal to 24, and movies such as Dawn of the Dead and the Saw IV and V.

Master Sergeant Tamara Johansen, played by Alaina Huffman

Being the most medically-trained member of the stranded crew, this field medic finds herself overwhelmed and underprepared for her role. Does this sound a bit like Dr. Jennifer Keller from Atlantis? A bit I guess, but I liked her character so I’ll let it go.

I’m glad to see that Universe is keeping the Stargate tradition of hiring Canadian actors going. To name a few shows, Alaina Huffman, from Vancouver, B.C., has been on Dawson’s Creek, Navy NCIS, Smallville and CSI.

Chloe Armstrong, played by Elyse Levesque

This beautiful daughter of a U.S. Senator is put to the test with her father’s death and being trapped on an Ancient vessel. Wanting to follow in his footsteps, she uses her well honed social savvy and political skills. Does she work for the I.O.A. (International Oversight Advisory for you new people)? I’m trying to figure out why she was on the Icarus Base to start with.

This young actress, born in 1985, already has a nice variety of shows to list for her growing career. She has been in shows such as MythQuest, Flash Gordon, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Smallville.

Eli Wallace, played by David Blue

Though this genius slacker and social outcast may be able to handle any scientific problem thrown at him, he lacks confidence from being unrecognized and being from a broken home. This character sounds like a Dr. Rodney McKay with no self esteem, acerbic humour and all.

Another young actor, this New Yorker has already been in some well known shows. Starting his acting career with credits like Scrubs, Veronica Mars and Ugly Betty, hopefully Stargate Universe will be a long lived addition to his resume.

Lt. Matthew Scott, played by Brian J. Smith

Lt. Scott is a junior SG team member, though highly skilled and well trained he is still inexperienced. Thrust into a leadership role he finds himself unprepared and has to prove himself and earn his team’s respect.

According to the IMDB, Brian J. Smith has only one credit before Stargate Universe, a movie called Hate Crime. However, after being cast as a lead role in this new series, he’s already appearing in an episode of Law & Order and the movies Red Hook and The War Boys. Hopefully Stargate will help launch his career.

Master Sergeant Ronald Greer, played by Jamil Walker Smith

This Marine has a temper problem and some sort of dark background. While something is obviously causing this anger, he has a moral compass that prevents him from killing everyone on his team.

This ‘Hey Arnold!’ alum has also appeared in many shows like The Sinbad Show, 413 Hope Street, NYPD Blue, Supernatural and Bones. This young New Yorker is the grandson of accomplished actor Greg Morris.

Camille Wray, played by Ming-Na

This accountant from the I.O.A. is the highest ranking member of that organization left on The Destiny. Filled with the false sense of importance and superiority we’ve all come to love and expect from anyone with an I.O.A background, I hope she’s more of the earlier version of Richard Woolsey, the character everyone loves to hate.

Ming-Na has definitely appeared in a few shows and movies that you should recognize. She played Chun-Li in Street Fighter, Lisa Wu in Spawn, Dr. Aki Ross in Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within, ER, and Detective Ellen Yin in The Batman.

Colonel Telford, played by Lou Diamond Phillips

The leader of the expedition being launched from the Icarus Base is a lifelong military man, but when an enemy attacks, thing’s don’t go according to plan. Given the description of Lt. Scott’s Character, I’m seeing a bit of a parallel between Atlantis and Universe again. This sounds familiar to the relationship between Colonel Sumner and Major John Sheppard in the series premier of Atlantis (though I don’t think there will be as much contempt between Telford and Scott). You have to wonder how long he’s going to be on the show for though, especially given that his character doesn’t have a first name yet. Born in the Philippines, Lou Diamond Phillips has a long resume that includes Dallas, Miami Vice, The Outer Limits, 24, X-Men Legends, and Numbers.

I’m hoping that with this list of cast and characters, Stargate Universe will play on the strengths of its predecessors. The creators have been emphasizing that it’s a younger, edgier show; hopefully they mean more in the style of Battlestar Galactica and not Smallville.