Late last year, before we’d even started the casting process, when all we had were those first few scripts and a general idea of where we wanted to go, there was one character that really stood out for me from among the many amazing characters Brad and Rob had created – a fascinating player with attitude and heaps of potential. That character was Camile Wray, the I.O.A. rep who finds herself stranded aboard Destiny, much to her horror and the chagrin of several military personnel stranded with her. I loved the character because she was fiercely independent, a force to be reckoned with, and a fiery wildcard in an extraordinarily volatile scenario.
Of course the character we imagine at the script stage is never quite the character we end up with on screen. Sometimes, they’re very close. Sometimes, they don’t live up to those lofty initial expectations. And, still other times, with the right person in the role, they far surpass that original incarnation. A great actor not only gives life to the attributes that so engaged you on the page, but adds layerings of depth and complexity that, in turn, open up a host of wonderful possibilities for both the character and the show in general. And that’s exactly what actress Ming-Na has accomplished in the role of Camile Wray.
From her breakout performance in The Joy Luck Club to her turn as Disney’s Mulan to her ten years as Dr. Jing-Mei Chen on the long-running hospital drama E.R., she has proven herself both immensely talented and incredibly commited to her craft. Off camera, she is an utter delight – sweet, upbeat, and very funny (After only his first day on set with her, my fellow producer Carl Binder declared himself a HUGE fan). Oh, and she’s gorgeous (as if you hadn’t noticed). And, for bonus points, she’s a big science fiction fan.
Yet another standout in an already exceptional cast.
Well, we’re in the home stretch. We’re shooting Subversion and prepping our final two episodes, Incursion I and II. Carl is in post, working on his producer edit of Pain. Today, we watched the Day 2 mix of Light with its finished visual effects. All I can say is: Wow! This one gets the award for Most Beautiful Episode. It’s full of lovely shots and SF eye candy. Kudos to Director Peter DeLuise and the Mark Savela’s VFX team. Oh, and we’ve also cast a couple of major roles for the season ender. One heavy hitter (a Boston Legal alum) flies up at the end of this week for a costume fitting – hopefully, pug in tow.
Hey, just got off the phone with Bob Picardo (aka Stargte’s Richard Woolsey). As some fans have pointed out, he and his lovely wife Linda are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, so I thought I’d give them a call. I’m pleased to report that between his film and television work and the many convention appearances, Bob is as busy as ever. Still, despite his hectic schedule, he’s planning to make time for the SGU season premiere next Friday night. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again (and again and again). The guy is a class act.
Ten days to the Stargate: Universe premiere! Tell your friends! And tell them to tell THEIR friends! Leave no fan behind!
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