Whedonesque : Comments on 15897 : BSG's Helo Cast in Dollhouse.

I was just going to post this.
It's cool to see casting news start to roll in.

Okay first of all, DAMN IT!!! I really wanted Alexis to play me in this show! :*(

Secondly, awesome! I'm being played by effing HELO!!!

Thirdly, is there a deliberate effort here to cast this show with actors with impossible-to-pronounce names?

Haunt | March 27, 03:10 CET

Cool choice. I'm starting to get excited about this.

Zoic_Fan | March 27, 03:11 CET

Cool! Dichen Lachman is amazingly beautiful!

hitnrun017 | March 27, 03:14 CET

Thirdly, is there a deliberate effort here to cast this show with actors with impossible-to-pronounce names?

I hear you, Haunt. When I saw those names, I thought they must be anagrams. ;)

topolino | March 27, 03:15 CET

Ahhhhhhhh I'm so happy, Tahmoh is such an amazing actor (also, amazingly good looking!) I could not be more excited for this show...until the rest of the cast is leaked of course ;)

MySerenity | March 27, 03:16 CET

Alrighty, I don't know this Tahmoh guy (yet!), but I'm just so excited to get any sort of news about Dollhouse that it doesn't matter. :)

pancakegirl | March 27, 03:20 CET

No one I've seen act before, so the verdict is out until "Dollhouse" airs. Anyone know if these guys are worthy of Whedon?

patxshand | March 27, 03:22 CET

Tahmoh is the only one I've seen (and seriously, watch Battlestar Galactica for crying out loud ;)... he is very much worthy of the Whedon.

Haunt | March 27, 03:25 CET

Tahmoh Penikett is awesome choice. He really is a good choice for Paul Smith.

crazygolfa | March 27, 03:29 CET

My Jossness is colliding with my BSGness... today is a good day. Tahmoh is awesome. Then again, like with Buffy/Angel, everyone from BSG is awesome.

Supersymmetrical | March 27, 03:32 CET

(I just have to say that I will never get used to reading sentences like, "He really is a good choice for Paul Smith." I've never been a fan of my name, but I'm gonna have to learn to like it now... damn you Joss! And it's weird that EVERYONE calls the character "Paul Smith" instead of just "Paul.")

Haunt | March 27, 03:33 CET

Tahmoh is incredibly Whedon worthy. His character Helo is one of my absolute favorite characters on Battlestar Galactica (which everyone should run, not walk to the store to get the dvds of if they have not become enlightened yet) and considering that Joss is a huge BSG fan himself, I'm absolutely loving this casting :)

MySerenity | March 27, 03:33 CET

Are you saying, Haunt, that your name is . . . Paul Smith? ;)

m'cookies actual | March 27, 03:36 CET

I am pleased to see my predictions of BSG-related casting were correct - though I didn't see Tamoh Penikett coming. It also interests me that the rest of the casting choices are relative unknowns - much as the original casts of Buffy and Angel were. And yeah, some pretty unpronouncable names in those credits.

Primordium_King | March 27, 03:37 CET

First, with the Moline news, now with the Helo news... the only way this day could get better (aside from one million dollars materializing on my lap as I type... well, actually, there are a lotta ways this day could get better, but...) would be if Amy Acker was cast in a reoccuring role for Dollhouse. Then, this day will truly be awesome.

Oh, and yes, those really are some crazy names. I'll just have to learn how to pronounce them. Like I had to with Buffy and Angel. I mean, learning to say Sarah and David... my tounge nearly burst into flames trying to pronounce that craziness.

Supersymmetrical | March 27, 03:39 CET

Dichen Lachman?

Seriously?

She used to be in Neighbours, and ... well, let's just say I always thought she was one of the worst in the cast. And the cast of Neighbours aren't exactly, you know. The RSC.

RachVG | March 27, 03:41 CET

Are you saying, Haunt that your name is... Paul Smith?

Yep. Sorry, thought I'd covered that before. That was just one reason I was really excited about the ~~possibility~~ complete fantasy that Alexis Denisoff would play the character. He's my favorite Whedon alum, and I'd love to see him on screen using MY name.

But Tahmoh (probably my second or third... definitely in my top five favorite BSG actors) is better than a sharp stick in the eye I must say. :)

Haunt | March 27, 03:42 CET

Darn, I was pulling for Percy. He needs to be back on TV. I was looking at a picture of Dichen and got a Jewel vide from her. They have a similar look...they don't look similar...I don't know how to explain it.

thatweirdgirl | March 27, 03:44 CET

Dichen Lachman?

Seriously?

She used to be in Neighbours, and ... well, let's just say I always thought she was one of the worst in the cast. And the cast of Neighbours aren't exactly, you know. The RSC.

I find it hard to imagine that Joss would cast anyone not up to snuff (how involved in casting is he at this moment?)... but it would be nice to hear from people that have actually seen these actors in other works. Just to get an idea of how they might fit into the Whedonverse rogues gallery.

Haunt | March 27, 03:44 CET

Tahmoh? TAHMOH?

Oh my lord, the world is awesome. And he's a Canuck to boot!

Aurra | March 27, 03:45 CET

I just have to trust Joss on this one. As much as I love Tahmoh, I had my heart set on Michael Muhney as Paul Smith. Like I said, I do trust Joss, so I know it will be great no matter what. Just a huge fan of Michael's and really wanted him to get that part. Oh well, maybe Joss will cast him as a recurring character that becomes part of the cast eventually. One can only dream.

Harmalicious | March 27, 03:45 CET

I had my heart set that I was going to be cast as Agent Smith, but alas it wasn't to be because I don't live near Hollywood and find a way to get there.

Anyway, I'm more of a Topher type.

crazygolfa | March 27, 03:50 CET

Neat!

Polter-Cow | March 27, 03:52 CET

I'll save others the IMDB searching:

Tahmoh Penikett as Paul Smith.
Fran Kranz as Topher Brink.
Dichen Lachman as Sierra.
Enver Gjokaj as Victor.

Anyone know if these guys are worthy of Whedon?

I think his casting them is about as direct of evidence of that as we could ever hope to have.

Sunfire | March 27, 03:52 CET

I find it hard to imagine that Joss would cast anyone not up to snuff (how involved in casting is he at this moment?)... but it would be nice to hear from people that have actually seen these actors in other works. Just to get an idea of how they might fit into the Whedonverse rogues gallery.

I totally agree with that. I know Richard Kahan was my top pick for Topher but after speaking to Richard, he told me he got the impression they wanted to take the character a different way to the way he auditioned. I'm not sure whether he met with Joss at that stage or not, but regardless, I have faith that the guy they cast instead will also be excellent!

I'm sure Dichen will be great - in Neighbours, I thought she wasn't much of an actress, but like I said, it's a soap and the rest of them also aren't that fantastic. It's been a year or so since she left Neighbours, and I trust Joss's opinions, so I'm willing to give her a shot, but as of right now, I've got to say I'm just a little dubious.

She's quite prominent in this clip.

RachVG | March 27, 03:53 CET

Tahmoh is a great choice.

I don't know the other guys, but I wouldn't be taking any pot shots at their ability, because have you seen the stuff Alyson, Sarah, etc. were in before (and mostly after) Joss' stuff?

UnpluggedCrazy | March 27, 03:56 CET

Fran is totally adorkable. :)

swanjun | March 27, 04:04 CET

I don't know any of them, but if Joss thinks they're good... they probably are.
The fan base though... will they pronounce the names for us in the credits? 'Cause that would be helpful...

Valentyn | March 27, 04:06 CET

Supersymettrical I'm with you! It's like a whirlwind of fantastic BSG-Joss-ness.

mifeng | March 27, 04:08 CET

Am I the only one that is worried what this might mean for Helo?

Okay, well, I'm still excited.

[ edited by k8cre8 on 2008-03-27 04:11 ]

k8cre8 | March 27, 04:11 CET

Yay, Helo! And I'm with those happy to see fresh faces join the Whedon family. Welcome! =)

p.s. Using a permalink might be better.

p.p.s. Good point, k8cre8. Now you have me wondering if it would be spoiler to mention this news to my BSG fan friends...

jam2 | March 27, 04:14 CET

So excited about Tahmoh Penikett!!! I'm not familiar with the other two but I have Faith in Joss!! The only two from Firefly I was familiar with were Nathan and Ron. Nathan from Two Guys and a Girl and OLTL and Ron from Barney Miller!!

I'm not concerned about Helo - the show is in its last season and he'll probably just be pretty busy until the filming is done for BSG.

Firefly Flanatic | March 27, 04:22 CET

Problem is (assuming Dollhouse is L.A. based) they shoot in different countries. Being a regular on both would be tough. Then again, since Joss and Ron Moore are buddy buddy now, maybe they worked out some clever arrangement.

jam2 | March 27, 04:31 CET

I wonder what the chances are of Joss snagging Katee Sackhoff.

swanjun | March 27, 04:34 CET

Yay! That is a whole lot of Whedon trademark pretty.

TamaraC | March 27, 04:39 CET

Tamoh is arguably the worst actor in the Battlestar Galactica cast (other than Grace Park), which isn't a slight, given the awesomeness off the rest of those actors.

Actually, yes, yes it is.

Naw, it's not his fault Helo is a terrible character that was most prominently featured in the worst episode of the series.

Haven't seen enough of the others to make any real judgment.

The Sandy Llama | March 27, 04:55 CET

I would like to watch Dollhouse now please. Thanks! :D

Scaniano | March 27, 04:56 CET

TAHMOH - holy crap! AWESOME!

crossoverman | March 27, 04:56 CET

Am I the only one who thinks that Tahmoh Penikett and the character of Helo are two weak points of BSG? For me the actor is over the top sometimes and the character just bugs the heck out of me. I think I would have preferred any other BSG alumni to be in Dollhouse. However! I still have faith in Joss and I think that half of me disliking Tahmoh is the character so, no matter what, I'll be excited about this. Plus its always cool to see casting news coming in! The fall can't come soon enough!

TOASTERslayer | March 27, 04:58 CET

Personally I think Helo is one of the best characters on the show. But obviously YMMV.

Haunt | March 27, 05:02 CET

and I think that half of me disliking Tahmoh is the character
I think I'm being the same about Dichen. I really didn't like her character in Neighbours - you weren't really meant to, for much of the time she was in the show (she broke up Steph and Max! Sob!). But I've been YouTubeing clips of her for the last hour or so and I can't remember why I thought she was so bad. It must just be my memory of the character getting in the way.

RachVG | March 27, 05:02 CET

Wow, this is great. First, Helo gets cast, and as a die-hard BSG fan I couldn't be happier. I'd love to see his take with quippy dialog rather than, you know, BSG dialog.

Also, Fran Kranz was great in The TV Set, and perfect for the role described. Everyone should see that movie, btw, and you'll understand what I mean. He exudes nerdy/funny/selfish at all times.

As to the others, I've got no clue, although that woman sure is perty. But it is unfair to judge people by the soap opera's they appear on - SMG did one, Fillion did one, and the material was...uh...not good. I'm going to put my faith in Joss for this one.

everbeen | March 27, 05:07 CET

Didn't Ron Moore say that shooting on BSG will stop in June? It's hard to imagine how Dollhouse could start shooting very long before then. I'm not reading anything about Helo into this.

dreamlogic | March 27, 05:11 CET

Personally I think Helo is one of the best characters on the show. But obviously YMMV.

On a show with Baltar, the Adama's, Roslin, Tigh, pretty much all the Cylon's, Chief, Starbuck?

Helo, at least a first, probably suffered in my view because of the Will on Alias thing. His story cuts into the action that the viewer is actually invested in and he learns a bunch of things the audience was privy to much earlier. But, Bradley Cooper is a talented due, so I enjoyed it. Maybe I hate on the Helo character for that. Or, maybe it's more that all the other characters are just better written. And that The Woman King was, as admitted by Ron Moore, an abortion of an episode.

Still, I enjoyed Tamoh's delivery on the "Hope she was worth it." line to Olmos's kid. Good times.

Can Clarke Peters play Boyd? The man is a tremendous actor.

[ edited by The Sandy Llama on 2008-03-27 05:15 ]

[ edited by The Sandy Llama on 2008-03-27 05:16 ]

The Sandy Llama | March 27, 05:14 CET

My analysis is that on Buffy, Angel, and Firefly the cast was given amazing material to work with, and they just rose to the occasion. I bet Joss could get a gaggle of schoolkids to give amazing performances.

Tamoh is adequate on BSG; with Joss writing and directing him, he'll be just fine.

Oh, and if he's a "twisted love foil" for Eliza Dushku, it's gonna get hot.

[ edited by ManEnoughToAdmitIt on 2008-03-27 05:20 ]

[ edited by ManEnoughToAdmitIt on 2008-03-27 05:22 ]

ManEnoughToAdmitIt | March 27, 05:19 CET

HELO!!! That's all I have to say. Seriously - BSG has entered the ranks of science fiction legend. I love it, it's so good. And HELO!!

CaffeinatedSquint | March 27, 05:38 CET

Am I the only one who thinks that Tahmoh Penikett and the character of Helo are two weak points of BSG?

Yes, you are the only one... or, apparently not.

But Tahmoh and Helo haters are wrong. WRONG! ;-)

But seriously...

WRONG!

:-)

crossoverman | March 27, 05:53 CET

GEEKGASM! That's ridiculously awesome. I think Tahmoh has done a great job with what he's been given on BSG-I can't wait to see his take on Smith. And I would bet that the chemistry between him and Eliza will be great. (I will say though that I too am worried about the possible implications for the character of Helo...) I can't wait to hear who has been cast as Dr. Sanders, and am far too excited to see the pilot on my television screen. :)

onthedrift | March 27, 05:55 CET

I'm so excited for Dichen!

Go Aussies!

But yes, as a watcher of Neighbours... she certainly struggled as an actress, although she did show some talent during a couple of storylines. If Joss has casted her, then she has obviously learnt a lot in the past couple years!

aapac | March 27, 06:34 CET

Tahmoh! Yayz!

Man, my Whedon love and BSG love have now officially melded into one giant fandom blob of awesome. Made. Of. Win.

zuzuspetals11 | March 27, 06:44 CET

Seriously, though: Who is up to posting phonetic pronounciations for those of us who don't know these people too well? I don't want to be one of those...you know, the ones who pronounce Giles as "Guiles."

So excited for more pretty people who will obviously have amazingly witty, poignant things to say! Can it be fall pilot season yet?

BandofBuggered | March 27, 06:45 CET

I enjoyed Fran in Welcome to the Captain.

good call Joss.

Litwal | March 27, 06:48 CET

Tahmoh's name is pronounced like it's spelled -- Tah-moh.

I ran across something unrelated that says 'Gjokaj' is pronounced 'Joker'. It was an English business site so it could be a pronunciation just for the person at the company or it could be the general pronunciation. *shrugs*

Dichen's name is pronounced Dee-chen.

cabri | March 27, 07:08 CET

Now tell us how to pronounce "cabri"!

theonetruebix | March 27, 07:11 CET

About casting: remember, Sarah Michelle Gellar was a soap actress before Buffy. When I think soap star, I do not, not, not think great actor. Yet look how she turned out. There isn't anyone else in the world who coulda been Buffy. (Also, Nathan Fillion was on a soap too, though I dunno if it was a prime a gig for him as it was for SMG).

So, I'm inclined to trust in teh Joss when it comes to casting.

David Boreanaz comes to mind too. His first episodes of Buffy he had no experience and, IMHO, it showed really badly. Fast forward 5 years and he's a leading man. He holds your eye when he's on screen, he's got that kind of confidence and charisma. He looks like he was born to do it. If you had told me, during that first episodes of Buffy, that that kid would turn out that way, I would have told you to go soak your head.

dispatch | March 27, 07:38 CET

Woah I took a double-take on the Dichen bit! I haven't watched Neighbours since I was 12.. but yeah it's not the best. Although I guess SMG was in All My Children.. that was a dodgy soap wasn't it?

Really cool Joss finally has an Australian in his cast though.

alexa | March 27, 07:43 CET

b!Xy: Now tell us how to pronounce "cabri"!

O.o w It's just cabby with an 'r', dude.

dispatch: If you had told me, during that first episodes of Buffy, that that kid would turn out that way, I would have told you to go soak your head.

'Zackly! Of course, I was well into my 30's ... O.O ... okay, okay, 40's when Buffy premiered, so I was perhaps not as prone to girlish sighs as others. ;-D

cabri | March 27, 07:49 CET

Helo will be great - it will be good to see him stretch his wings in a character. The other gentlemen look visually appropriate and that's all I can really say about that.

Katya from Neighbours???? Tee hee. :o)

Why don't we give the girl a break? Isla Fisher wasn't at her funniest on Home and Away. Guy Richie never got the opportunity to powerfully claw his way through a Neighbours episode backwards. This doesn't have to go all Bionic Woman just because the girl was in a soap.

curlymynci | March 27, 07:52 CET

From what I've been able to learn, Gjokaj might be pronounced "joker" in English dialects without a hard "r", but in most would be more like "jokai". Does anybody have a picture yet?

dreamlogic | March 27, 08:06 CET

Picture from a play

curlymynci | March 27, 08:09 CET

Sarah Michelle Gellar was a soap actress before Buffy.

And before that there was Swan's Crossing. (How I love bringing that one up.) Whatever happened to everyone else from that show?

ETA: Oh. According to IMDB, almost all of them at some point were later on Law & Order. Hah.

[ edited by theonetruebix on 2008-03-27 08:16 ]

theonetruebix | March 27, 08:15 CET

He has a nice face. Eventually we'll learn how to say his name.

dreamlogic | March 27, 08:15 CET

Helo! Dude! DUDE! Holy fandom crossovers!

I love this.

[ edited by electricspacegirl on 2008-03-27 08:55 ]

electricspacegirl | March 27, 08:17 CET

Sarah Gellar did win an Emmy for "All my Children", perhaps putting her over your average soap actor. Of course, the television academy doesn't really award the best T.V. actors, proof, James Callis hasn't even been nominated for his role as Baltar.
That brings me to might next point, Helo on a Joss show, fraking awsome!

[ edited by RCM on 2008-03-27 09:37 ]

RCM | March 27, 08:34 CET

First up, these names are official it appears - deals have been done. So they're in place.

Secondly, don't diss the soap factor. Soap actors have mostly thankless jobs with long, long hours - it's quite the grind.

Speaking of which, Welcome To The Dollhouse! And not the shit album.

By the way, Dichen has that wonderful asianesque cute girl thing going on. Which is, yes, wonderful.

[ edited by gossi on 2008-03-27 08:45 ]

gossi | March 27, 08:37 CET

And remember, Nathan got his start in soaps, and he's no slouch.

electricspacegirl | March 27, 09:00 CET

Nice tags.

Yay, new faces. And Helo. Don't fall for the cylon! Oops, wrong show. Should be interesting. Assuming none of these are Rebecca Gayheart.

hacksaway | March 27, 09:04 CET

Let's see if any of them bring their dogs to set on the first day. Yappy yappy yap. Pull focus close. That's all I'm sayin'.

By the way, Enver? Can act. I just spent a while reading theatre reviews of the play he did - it's widespread comments of goodness.

gossi | March 27, 09:12 CET

Personally I like the character of Helo and the actor who plays him, the others I think Joss has just chosen for the mispronunciability factor ;-)

No, all joking aside this is looking good.

The Do That Girl | March 27, 10:59 CET

My eyes have been burned by the hotness. And, sidenote, no Tom Lenk for Topher, but definitely in the same vein. I was thinking more male model for Victor, but Tahmoh sort of covers the area:-)

TVGuide's coverage. To note: still pimping the Buffy alumni-mud-fighting-for-role angle.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Ausiello-Scoop-Whedons/800036353

[ edited by Perseo on 2008-03-27 11:23 ]

Perseo | March 27, 11:07 CET

I love Tahmoh and his character. He may be overshadowed on BSG, but overshadowed by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackoff, James Callis and company? I can't wait to see what he does in a lead role.

Have never heard of any of the others but Fran Kranz is alarmingly adorable (thanks Sunfire for the links).

Now please cast one of the older characters so I can feel somewhat less ancient.
Repeat after me: Mary McDonnell, Mary McDonnell, Mary McDonnell ;-)

Shey | March 27, 11:52 CET

curlymynci: Guy Richie never got the opportunity to powerfully claw his way through a Neighbours episode backwards.

Oh wow, the image that brought to mind ;). Mockney gangsters descend on Ramsey Street from the big "seety", Jason Statham inexplicably breaks out into martial arts and hijinks most definitely ensue (it's 'Pierce' ;).

(sidenote: Michelle Ryan had problems with the accent IMO - when you see her perform with her normal voice, even on 'Bionic Woman', it's like she's a different actor)

I reckon Tahmoh Penikett does OK with what Helo's given (he was sorely treated by the "go nowhere slooooowly" Caprica arc in season 1 but the more "meat" he gets the better he does IMO).

Not watched 'Neighbours' in years but I have caught Dichen Lachman in a few episodes when I was off work ill or whatever (daytime TV is waaay better than chicken soup for getting you better fast ;) and she's very beautiful. Re: talent, Guy Pierce and Jessie Spencer never impressed me on there either but they both turned out to have major chops when they were given something to really get their teeth into. Wait and see and TiJ ;).

Saje | March 27, 12:01 CET

Alan Dale never impressed me much in Neighbours but he's been amazing in Lost.

Simon | March 27, 12:14 CET

And 'Star Trek: Nemesis'. The lad Dale gives great 'vapourised'.

Saje | March 27, 12:19 CET

Am I the only one who thinks that Tahmoh Penikett and the character of Helo are two weak points of BSG?

You're not alone. Of the main cast, Tahmoh and Grace seem to be the weakest actors to my untrained eye. But this is coming from someone who didn't think Alyson was very good, so I've got a bit of moron in me.

I get the sense that BSG is run very differently than a Joss show. The actors seem to revel in the amount of input they get into their characters -- even calling Ronald (D) Moore from the set about line changes. I remember Tahmoh on one of Moore's weekly podcasts being upset with a director for giving him notes on how to say a line. So he makes me nervous.

But who cares, really? Cast a potted plant and hang Joss words from the branches. I'm all over it.

Also, Ron Moore should do a weekly Dollhouse podcast. He's very good.

OldMusic | March 27, 12:33 CET

Well, I'm in the minority of not liking BSG all that much (I watched all 3 seasons, and will finish with the 4th), but I DO remember liking Tahmoh. I think he has a good look for this character as well. He can go from soft and caring to angry and intimidating very well. I think he'll turn out just fine.

The other characters all intrigue me, but I don't know their work. I'm usually pretty optimistic about theatre actors (Enver Gjokaj). If you have the chops to do it live, on stage, in one take, then chances are you'll be pretty good in front of the camera.

LaneMeyer | March 27, 13:15 CET

Y'know, I could think of all sorts of actors who could pull off the 'Errol Flynn' component of Victor's character. But Enver is the first I've seen who looks like he could do that /and/ the young DeNiro angle.

I'm most excited about him and Fran at this point. I've only seen S1 of BSG, and Helo's arc there was the least interesting bit (though of course, I don't blame the actor).

swanjun | March 27, 13:57 CET

I should add that Tahmoh's casting was the ideal bait to get a BSG fangirl friend of mine to commit to watching Dollhouse. She's a Firefly fan, but not so keen on monstery elements of the Buffyverse.

swanjun | March 27, 13:59 CET

I don't know who any of these people are. Feeling old now.

Then again, I didn't know who anyone was on Buffy when I first watched it.

I just hope they find a little spot for Jonathan Woodward.

redeem147 | March 27, 14:31 CET

Another pic of Enver Gjokaj. I am so excited right now, especially about the unknowns... well ok about all of them! And to be shallow they're all so pretty... Looking forward to the rest of the casting. *cough*Maura Tierney*/cough*

Leaf | March 27, 14:31 CET

That pic just makes my excitement grow. He really looks right for it.

swanjun | March 27, 14:35 CET

Heh. Just saw a funny comment on Ausiello's piece (still trying to stir up alum casting hopes for the remaining spots):

"You had me at Tahmoh."

Snerk.

swanjun | March 27, 14:43 CET

Dichen Lachman? From Neighbours?

I hope she's grown as an actress. Wasn't she axed.. from NEIGHBOURS?

(P.S. I love Neighbours and it worked for that guy on House... so maybe.)

brynmars | March 27, 14:47 CET

lol I'd been having this feeling that Grace Park, who plays Helo's girlfriend on BSG, would becast as one of the dolls. hee at least I'm close!

...and seriously, you guys need to start watching BSG(from the beginning). I've just recently gotten a friend of mine hooked, and doing a re-watch to warm up for the fourth season. There's a very good reason why Joss calls it 'the best show on TV'.

Maharet83 | March 27, 14:58 CET

I'm planning to, Maharet. The DVDs of S3 and Razor just arrived yesterday, and the VCR's (I'm not cool enough for a DVR or Tivo) already set to record for April 4. :)

swanjun | March 27, 15:02 CET

When I get paid tomorrow I'm going to buy it, watch it, and quite possibly love it. I'm ashamed to admit I've never seen BSG. I really am.

brynmars | March 27, 15:03 CET

Joss has a knack of casting actors who aren't necessarily... you know... great actors, but writing/directing to their abilities to make them seem like great actors. I imagine the same will happen in Dollhouse.

Tahmoh, however, is an excellent choice. He's been my favorite on BSG since the show began.

Buffy the Slayer Layer | March 27, 15:25 CET

I think I might be the only person in the Universe who doesn't like BSG at all, in the sense of, I tried to like it but really didn't. It was just so... heavy, and well, dull.

However I saw Tahmoh from across a crowded hall at a con once, and he's very pretty indeed.

(I always thought Jesse Spencer and Alan Dale were pretty good on Neighbours.Comparatively, anyway. And I have the DVDs to prove it. ;))

RachVG | March 27, 15:28 CET

Not just this universe either, all of them in the whole of the multiverse ;).

Saje | March 27, 15:30 CET

Admitting to owning Neighbours DVDs isn't really helping my not-liking-BSG credibility, is it?

RachVG | March 27, 15:51 CET

Well, for me, this is pretty simple. I've never heard ofany of these guys- which is actually what I hoped for- and so I have no impressions or opinions about them. Meaning, I can only judge them when I see them in the show, which is really all that matters now. :-)

Though I am sorry the amazing Mia Wasikowska was not in the mix- did any one see her final episode last night on In Treatment? Wow! Held her own against Gabriel Byrne, Peter Horton AND Mae Whitman!

[ edited by Dana5140 on 2008-03-27 15:55 ]

Dana5140 | March 27, 15:54 CET

Admitting to owning Neighbours DVDs isn't really helping my not-liking-BSG credibility, is it?

It certainly adds to your uniqueness though (I didn't think it was possible but it turns out you really can be very unique).

What's bigger than 'multiverse' ? ;-)

Saje | March 27, 15:58 CET

I need to give BSG another try. I have the first season, but have never been able to truge past the miniseries.

patxshand | March 27, 16:02 CET

I adore BSG, so this news totally made my day. :)

impsythealmighty | March 27, 16:05 CET

What's bigger than 'multiverse' ? ;-)

Metaverse?

Though I am sorry the amazing Mia Wasikowska was not in the mix- did any one see her final episode last night on In Treatment? Wow! Held her own against Gabriel Byrne, Peter Horton AND Mae Whitman!

She was great, Dana5140, but do we want anyone that young in the Dollverse "mix"?

dreamlogic | March 27, 16:53 CET

On a side note for the haven't-watched-BSG-yet'ers, there is a marathon starting next Monday on Sci-Fi leading up to the S4 premiere on April 4th

chazman | March 27, 16:54 CET

I'm glad Tahmoh isn't an anagram spelling of his name because that means it could actually be Homhat and how strange would that be? Or Omahht, or even Aomhth. Sorry, I'm in a silly mood today (but when aren't I)...

I don't know these folks but if Joss picked 'em, I bets they're special.

[ edited by Tonya J on 2008-03-27 16:58 ]

Tonya J | March 27, 16:55 CET

Wow. They went through all those auditions this week amazingly fast. Pretty much an unknown cast, which is what was expected. I do love Tahmoh, though. Not a HUGE BSG fan but its an ok, show.

leiasky | March 27, 16:59 CET

Hello whedonesque--I'm new to the blog and very thrilled to be chatting about Dollhouse--can't wait!!!

I hear a lot of different ideas about how Tahmoh and others will be in the Dollhouse. I've watched a good bit of BSG and have never seen Neighbors. I am keeping the faith that another Joss ensemble cast will work really well together! I think that something clicks with the cast in all of the Whedonverse shows. I know this will hold true for Dollhouse.

jessticedemon | March 27, 16:59 CET

ew i hate helo

whiterabbit | March 27, 17:18 CET

looking at a lot of clips from Dichen, I have to say she has some of the same qualities SMG had: A very reactive actor. But there's also a sort of passivity which I have not seen in SMG acting. Too early too say if that's good for a doll or not

Oh, what I would give to be in joss' mind right now.

The Fran casting is frantastic!!!! Reading the role description and looking at the pics it's like:of course!

Since i'm on the "meh" side of BSG appreciation (trying to like it and just not getting there) can't say anything about Tahmoh, but he looks like he'd make things inmteresting for Eliza.

and the joker is cute :)

Harpy | March 27, 17:22 CET

But Tahmoh and Helo haters are wrong. WRONG! ;-)

Yeah. Makes you wonder if we were watching the same show. Helo is one of my favorite characters on BSG. It makes me wonder, though... BSG began filming its final episodes this week, and I believe there are 12 episodes left to film. If Tahmoh starts filming "Dollhouse" soon, what does that say about Helo's fate?

Nebula1400 | March 27, 17:25 CET

I understood it to be 7 episodes left of BSG - didn't they get to 13 before the strike halted production (which is why there were threats of force majeure sackings) ?

'Dollhouse' starts production on April 23rd so maybe still time if they don't film his scenes straight away.

Saje | March 27, 17:29 CET

I'm glad Tahmoh isn't an anagram spelling of his name because that means it could actually be Homhat and how strange would that be? Or Omahht, or even Aomhth. Sorry, I'm in a silly mood today (but when aren't I)...

How about HotHam? Is his last name Water? ;)

hacksaway | March 27, 17:42 CET

Maybe Helo got killed off and thus there will be no schedule conflicts?

UnpluggedCrazy | March 27, 17:59 CET

Reckon that was the gist of Nebula1400's comment. T'ain't necessarily so though with some schedule juggling he could film to the end of BSG and still make the start of 'Dollhouse'.

Saje | March 27, 18:12 CET

Someone (maybe gossi) can correct me if I'm wrong, but I was sort of assuming all they've got to film in the near term is the pilot. By the time they get around to filming the other episodes in the order, I assume BSG will be wrapped.

theonetruebix | March 27, 18:15 CET

I know nothing about Tahmoh Penikett, so I have to trust Joss for his casting, I guess. He is Canadian, so bonus points right there!

I actually quite enjoyed Welcome to the Captain for the brief time it was on, so I'm happy to see that Fran Kranz is going to be on TV again.

Don't know anything about Dichen Lachman or Enver Gjokaj either.

Getting all excited now!

Nolan | March 27, 18:17 CET

The cast of BSG is so big and only a few can have a storyline each week. As much as I like Helo's character he isn't one of the main people so I don't think this is as problematic as it seems. I think there will be so much going on with finishing up the story with the other characters that his character wouldn't have that much screen time anyway this season.

Firefly Flanatic | March 27, 18:17 CET

Don't forget that Whedon has changed the course before, when the cast chemistry didn't work. (Think Inara.)

OneTeV | March 27, 18:20 CET

dreamlogic: well, I suppose so. But she is 18 playing 16 for In Treatment, so could do 18 playing 21 for Dollhouse. Not that what I would wish for can happen now. :-)

Dana5140 | March 27, 18:28 CET

this is good news indeed... and now that I'm finally a member after 5+ years of missing registrations (seriously) I can actually share in the joy!

rae rae | March 27, 18:34 CET

From what I remember when it was announced that Katee Sackhoff was cast in Bionic Woman, BSG's filming schedule was described as being atypical. So it is possible that Tahmoh will be able to do both.

williamthebloody1880 | March 27, 18:54 CET

I like Helo in BSG, but he is very much a straight-arrow and by-the-book character much of the time, which is limiting compared to, oh, Starbuck. Playing an FBI agent with an obsession might be an interesting "professional growth opportunity" for Tahmoh.

Since it's time to settle back into work, I'll put on the headphones and Family's Music in a Doll's House.

Do I see blood in your eyes, babe?
Is it the end of the race?
...
My defenses and cautions are done, babe,
And you did it just for a thrill.

MissKittysMom | March 27, 18:59 CET

Oh, I'm excited, although I don't know any of these people.

But just as OneTeV said, we shouldn't get too used to them just now, they still can be replaced just like Riff Reagan (original Willow) or Rebecca Gayheart (original Inara).

I'm glad though that we get to see new people.

Donnie | March 27, 19:03 CET

Thinking about Fran Kranz... y'know, I had mused about Tom Lenk in the role, but I don't know that he could pull off genuinely sinister/untrustworthy.

Kranz looks like he could. Doesn't there seem something just a little... Adam Buschy about him?

swanjun | March 27, 19:36 CET

OMJ I am so excited that Tahmoh Penikett is going to be in Dollhouse - I absolutely love him as Helo!!!! Don't know any of the others but i'm sure they'll be good.

missmuffet | March 27, 20:13 CET

patxshand: I need to give BSG another try. I have the first season, but have never been able to trudge past the miniseries.

I know a few people who were underwhelmed by the miniseries but jumped on board the BSG train after watching the first episode, "33". Basically if you're still trudging after "33", you're probably not going to be a big fan.

I think Tahmoh is going to be great as an FBI agent; I see him as 'stalwart and true' with the kind of skepticism towards his superiors that would benefit Echo in the long run.

cabri | March 27, 21:33 CET

Here is Zap2it's coverage.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-fouractorsjoindollhouse,0,3611866.story

Don't know a thing about Neighbours, but as a soap watcher I must say they sometimes hide a few gems in their casts. I wouldn't hold it against Dichen.

Perseo | March 27, 21:35 CET

Saje said:

Oh wow, the image that brought to mind ;). Mockney gangsters descend on Ramsey Street from the big "seety", Jason Statham inexplicably breaks out into martial arts and hijinks most definitely ensue (it's 'Pierce' ;).

You're totally right Saje. I got the wrong Guy. Fnar fnar fnar.

curlymynci | March 27, 21:58 CET

About soaps hiding gems in their casts...

Tommy Lee Jones much? And he is but one example. ;-)

UnpluggedCrazy | March 27, 23:07 CET

Nathan Fillion wasn't just on a soap. He was a Buchanan. That's like soaps royalty.

I will admit, I watched pretty much SMG's full run on All My Children back in the day with my mom. SMG had a pretty key role in that show. Soaps are a style, not an ability. It's not a style I care for anymore, but I can be totally bored by some actor's soap scene and fascinated by their scene in some other show.

ETA: Not that SMG was boring on All My Children. Oh my, no. Crazy-drama.

[ edited by Sunfire on 2008-03-27 23:52 ]

Sunfire | March 27, 23:51 CET

I thought there were 12 left, but my math may be wrong. I read that they had already filmed 12, and that there would be 24 episodes in the final season of BSG (as opposed to a fourth and fifth season containing 18 episodes each). I may be remembering that wrong or have forgotten some last minute change that occurred. Either way, Helo, who I see as the least corrupt, most principled member of the Galactica crew, is either going be out of the story much of the time, or he's going to die.

How about HotHam? Is his last name Water? ;)

I'm never going to be able to look at him seriously again!

Nebula1400 | March 28, 00:14 CET

I'm repeating myself, but nobody listened to me the first time. I can't find the link, but I'm pretty sure Ron Moore has said that they wrap shooting in June. And I just saw an interview with Katee Sackhoff where she said they're on episode 14. Anyway, I don't see it impacting Helo. Even if they shoot an episode or two concurrently, he's always been out of the story much of the time.

dreamlogic | March 28, 00:33 CET

I'm pretty sure they're shooting the Dollhouse pilot (through the beginning of May), then stopping to edit it together, look at it, poke it, see what works, what doesn't, tweak, play, eat pot noodles etc.

gossi | March 28, 00:39 CET

All this worry about Helo dying, and no one's concerned for Paul Smith? Come on, y'all, he's a love interest in a Whedon show!

He's totally doomed.

kyrumption | March 28, 00:42 CET

Faith and Helo, sitting in a tree... Being different people.

Also, it's totally Topher!. I could write a novel about that guys hair.

[ edited by gossi on 2008-03-28 00:49 ]

gossi | March 28, 00:48 CET

gossi: I'm pretty sure they're shooting the Dollhouse pilot (through the beginning of May), then stopping to edit it together, look at it, poke it, see what works, what doesn't, tweak, play, eat pot noodles ...

... and wait for SAG to come off strike.

cabri | March 28, 01:08 CET

Helo started as a completely irrelevant filler character in the pilot, and then eventually became one of the biggest (non-opening credits) characters, along with Tigh and Tyrol. This is pretty exciting.

WilliamTheB | March 28, 01:20 CET

... and wait for SAG to come off strike.

SAG can't strike until June 30th. And they're not going to, anyway, it's all going to be worked out. Though there are some strike preparations being made. But it's all going to be o.k.

If there's a strike, could we do something other than pizza?

dreamlogic | March 28, 01:34 CET

There should always be an option for strike.

If they strike again I say we buy dreamlogic pizza. Or any type of food you're not sick of the sight of..

By the way, if Joss' casting people read here, er, on Dollverse we carried a rumour 'bout an actress auditioning (now gone). The source of that had nothing to do with the actress in question. At all.

gossi | March 28, 01:47 CET

I'll support SAG if they strike. But I'm really, really hoping that the bosses have learned a lesson and it won't come to that.

dreamlogic | March 28, 01:58 CET

Yeah, I can't see it getting to strike. They really, really can't afford it to. As opposed to the writers' strike where I think they kinda wanted it to go to a strike, to be honest.

gossi | March 28, 02:01 CET

You know, Joss visited the Nunawading studio where Neighbours is filmed when he appeared on Rove Live in 2005, when Dichen would still have been a cast member. Small world, eh?

Haven't seen BSG or heard of the other actors.

embitt | March 28, 03:30 CET

IMDB have added a pic of Enver now (that I'm pretty sure wasn't there earlier in the day) and his (almost definitely) myspace says that he's 28 - that's as far as my google-fu is extending.

Leaf | March 28, 03:36 CET

It definitely wasn't there before.

Man, I am going to asplode if this is a mid-season show and not a Fall one.

swanjun | March 28, 03:58 CET

Tahmoh Penikett is quite good on Battlestar. His storyline is loaded with very provocative implications on what it(should is my take)takes to live an authentic humanist life. I think the writers have done very well by him.

Casting him in Dollhouse is top notch and I am having a good buzz thinking about when the BSG and Whedon worlds collide.

Tina | March 28, 06:59 CET

Watching the BSG season three DVDs this past week re-reminded me of just how wonderful Tahmoh (and Helo) are (check out "A Measure of Salvation" for his scene in the president's office). I think he's been one of the more unsung heroes of the BSG cast- he doesn't get the crazy self-destructive roller-coaster storylines that Starbuck and Apollo get; playing the moral center of a show like this tends to fly a little further under the radar than it should, but he has done an amazing job of it. I don't doubt that he is a perfect fit for the Whedonverse and hearing that he would be on the show was easily the best news since Dollhouse was announced.

And he's Canadian. Which is icing on a very yummy cake.

Edit: I like the way you put it Tina- Helo is the absolute humanist. He is the one character on the show who is completely and fully admirable- they all are in their own ways, but Helo truly is from the core, and I think that's a very important thing to have on a show like BSG that is so dark and about dark characters. Helo's whole storyline navigating through all that is fascinating.

[ edited by Trek_Girl42 on 2008-03-28 07:48 ]

Trek_Girl42 | March 28, 07:38 CET

The confusion with the number of BSG episodes this season lies with the TV Movie "Razor" being considered two episodes. So the regular season of 20 episodes plus 2 (Razor) means that either 12 or 13 were shot before the strike - leaving 9 or 10 to be shot now.

Last I heard, the Dollhouse pilot was being shot in April and then work on the series begins in July (or after the SAG strike, if there is one - which there won't be). It's not unheard of for an actor to shoot a pilot for a new show while working on the old show.

And all this comes from my fear - THEY CAN'T KILL HELO OFF! Well, of course, they can. And I'm sure some people will die. And Edward James Olmos said today they might kill everyone off! But they won't do that...

Given Helo's growth (his first season arc is amazing), I would really hate to see him grow. So the fact Tahmoh's on a new show means nothing about the fate of Helo. NOTHING!

Nothing. :-)

crossoverman | March 28, 09:59 CET

Quite a multi-cultural cast! I wonder if that is what Joss is going for. Hopefully they will let them use their real accents! I think a lot of the problem with The Bionic Woman was that Michelle Ryan was trying and failing to do an American accent, and I don't see what would have been so wrong with her having had a British accent. Not that I'm comparing The Bionic Woman to Dollhouse, as I'm sure the latter will be FAR superior!

Anyway, can't say I ever would have thought Katya from Neighbours would be in a Joss show, but can't say I'm opposed to the idea! She's certainly rather beautiful, almost other-wordly, which I think works great for the idea of the dolls.

flugufrelsarinn | March 28, 12:16 CET

Personally I thought her Yank accent was reasonably decent but it was almost as if she was using too much processing power to do it and didn't have much left for emoting (or, and i've said this before, maybe she was actually delivering what was asked for since Jaime was meant to be pretty unhappy and downbeat).

With 'Dollhouse' though, i'd assume they may well be called upon to have many accents (maybe they'll be allowed to use their natural accent while they're "between jobs" ?). In a lot of respects it's going to provide opportunities to really act for these guys and gals since the roles will be so varied from week to week.

Saje | March 28, 12:28 CET

Watching the BSG season three DVDs this past week re-reminded me of just how wonderful Tahmoh (and Helo) are (check out "A Measure of Salvation" for his scene in the president's office).

Trek_Girl42, That is almost word for word what I was going to post, I just finished watching A Measure Of Salvation about an hour ago. In a series more full of moral ambiguity than anything not created by Joss, this ep is the epitome of the concept.

I don't understand anyone thinking Tahmoh is a weak actor, I think he's been terrific from the beginning, with what material he's been given in a very large cast.
But then I can't fathom anyone not loving BSG. It can be demanding in it's multi-layered, spacey complexity and not always linearness :) and it's unremittingly dark but .... um, actually, I'm describing exactly what I love most about it. ;-)

Saje, I'm trying to think of something bigger than a multi-verse/mega-verse.
A Ginormous Multi-Metaverse?

Shey | March 28, 12:46 CET

Or maybe the answer to "what's bigger than a multiverse ?" is "Infinity multiverses. Plus one.".

(cos only infinity plus one is bigger than infinity ;)

Saje | March 28, 12:53 CET

Infinity plus one and a packet of crisps?

zeitgeist | March 28, 13:41 CET

Hmm, are they salt and vinegar ? Cos then maybe (definitely not if they're cheese and onion though).

Saje | March 28, 13:43 CET

They are salt and vinegar.

zeitgeist | March 28, 13:45 CET

OK, two things are bigger than infinity - infinity plus one and infinity plus one and a packet of (salt and vinegar) crisps. Though i'm now also wondering about Hobnobs.

Saje | March 28, 13:48 CET

I'm going to change my name to Phlegma Bymphnode and audition.

I'll be a shoo in!

ZodKneelsFirst | March 28, 13:53 CET

If there's a strike, could we do something other than pizza?

Something lighter and easier to carry that doesn't require a heavy table?

How about gift vouchers for pizza?

zz9 | March 28, 13:53 CET

Or the phone number for Dominoes ? Doesn't get much lighter than "some neurons".

And it's the gift that keeps on giving.

Saje | March 28, 13:57 CET

The way I understand the premise of Dollhouse, it's not specific that the Dolls be from anywhere in particular before they're recruited or whatever. So I wouldn't see any issues with their using original accents.

swanjun | March 28, 13:59 CET

Only when they're not "programmed". When they are though, they should strictly have the accent of whomever they're imprinted as (though that may well be one of those "realism" details that Joss doesn't always worry about).

(just from the "fantasy" scenario though, I can see a lot of call for particular types of accent - nevermind if they're hired for undercover work or as assassins etc.)

Saje | March 28, 14:04 CET

Also, it's totally Topher!. I could write a novel about that guys hair.

I think he'd be ok with that... From an article in 2001:

"My hair actually has a history. I played Judas in a high school production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I decided that Judas needed blue hair so I dyed mine blue. My parents then forced me to bleach it back for graduation. So, my hair got f**ked up. It was really damaged, so I had to cut it. That's how the spikes originated. I never comb it—I just wipe it with a towel. And I only wash it about twice a week." However, for all those Fran Kranz wannabes, he cautioned, "My hair is a mystery within itself. No one will ever be able to have hair as cool as mine."

Leaf | March 28, 16:16 CET

March 27 2008