SCI FI WIRE talked with Stargate star Robert Picardo about his pivotal role in the new television series Persons Unknown. The first season consisted of 13 episodes, and Picardo played such a pivotal role in the show that he couldn’t name his character without giving away the whole story!
Picardo explained the premise, “It’s reminiscent of the classic Patrick McGoohan series The Prisoner. It’s about these people who are strangely abducted and held against their will and are apparently being studied or manipulated. It’s a very exotic, paranoid premise for a show.”
Other actors include Alan Ruck, Chadwick Boseman, Gerald Kyd, Kate Lang Johnson and Kandyse McClure. Picardo revealed that the show is from Chris McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, and is executive produced by Remi Aubuchon, who also wrote the Caprica pilot along with Ron Moore.
Right now, the show, which was filmed in Mexico, has been sold to countries in South America and Europe, but hasn’t been picked up by a US network yet. Picardo said that if the show gets a second season, he’ll be a recurring cast member.
In the meantime, you can catch Picardo in one of the final three episodes filmed for Pushing Daisies, which was not renewed for another season. His episode “Water and Power” is due to be shown on the UK’s ITV1 this Friday, April 24, and on ABC in the US on June 6. Check your local listings for exact times.
Also, make sure to visit MGM: Message from Picardo to watch a brief video message from the actor who appreciates the welcome he received once his Stargate character Richard Woolsey joined the regular cast for the final season of Stargate Atlantis.
According to Stargate Actor Appearances, Picardo is due to make several public appearances over the coming months, the next upcoming being FedCon XVIII from May 1-3, 2009, in Bonn, Germany.