Stargate Universe: Major Characters

WARNING: SPOILERS

The following article contains SPOILERS. Proceed at your own risk.

Destiny: Major Characters

Dr. Nicholas Rush	Dr. Nicholas Rush - Since the loss of his wife, Rush's dedication to science and his desire to explore the mysteries of the ninth chevron have overridden all else, at any cost. He alone is to blame for the situation that has flung everyone to the far reaches of the universe, without a way home. Even in his solitude, he is without remorse. (From MGM)
Col. Everett Young	Col. Everett Young - As a life-long military man Col. Young has had difficulty hanging up his wings. When he signs on for one more mission, it pushes his already strained marriage to the breaking point. Young is not one to assign high risk missions to others and he is often at odds with Dr. Rush. (From MGM)
Camile Wray	Camile Wray - Human resources executive Wray finds herself the highest ranking member of the International Oversight Committee (IOA) onboard the Destiny. Like many of those stranded on the ship, she is devastated by the separation from loved ones back on Earth. (From MGM)
Lt. Matthew Scott	Lt. Matthew Scott - Scott is a new member to the Stargate team with a troubled past. He is completely unprepared when he is thrust into a leadership role at a time of crisis. Scott struggles to maintain accord between those who have different agendas. (From MGM)
Lt. Tamara Johansen	Lt. Tamara Johansen - Unable to afford medical school, this strong willed medic was days away from leaving the program when she found herself the only one with any medical training on board the Destiny. She has to contend with a difficult and secret history with someone who is also on board. (From MGM)
MSgt. Ronald Greer	MSgt. Ronald Greer - A military man with a short fuse and no apologies, Greer has a mysterious past that has yet to be revealed. (From MGM)
Eli Wallace	Eli Wallace - A total slacker, who just happens to be an utter genius with anything he puts his mind to - mathematics, computers, video games. A lack of confidence has left him with an acerbic sense of humor. (From MGM)
Chloe Armstrong	Chloe Armstrong - Chloe is both the daughter of and aide to U.S. Senator Alan Armstrong, the head of an organization that exists to oversee funding for the Stargate Program. She was responsible for influencing the decision to continue financial support for research into the ninth chevron. She has a wild streak and is closer to her father than to her mother. (From MGM)

Stargate Program

Lt. Gen. Jack O'Neill	Lt. Gen. Jack O'Neill - First leader of the legendary SG-1 and now head of Homeworld Security, O'Neill's headquarters at Homeworld Command in Washington, D.C., oversees the rescue effort to bring home those stranded so very, very far away aboard the Ancient ship Destiny.
Col. Telford	Col. Telford - Stubborn and supremely confident, Colonel Telford is the head of the team that was selected to take the first journey through the Stargate using the ninth chevron. He is a life-long, highly skilled military man who is also an F-302 pilot. (From MGM)

• From Solutions: New Recurring Character Adds More Conflict, January 23, 2009 -
  • Dr. Lisa Park. Works with Homeworld Security. CASTING: Jennifer Spence "Speaking of which – actress Jennifer Spence plays the role of Dr. Lisa Park in Stargate Universe, a character who has developed quite nicely since the pilot. Here’s a classic case of a supporting player who, over the course of several episodes, catches the attention of the writer/producers on the basis of an impressive initial performance. Based on that initial performance, the actor is given more to do – and hits it out of the park, which gives rise to more interest and meatier scenes. Jennifer‘s growing role on SG:U is just one example of the many such instances I‘m seeing develop as we make our way past the season one midway mark." — Joseph Mallozzi (June 12, 2009) (Image of Spence in Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog for May 22, 2009.)
  • Major Peterson. Most likely is assigned to Homeworld Security. Escorts Young while he is in Col. Telford's body on Earth.
• From Solutions: SGU Spoilers: "Earth", March 16, 2009
  • Williams. Scientist or liaison with Homeworld Security. First mention occurs in episode "Earth".

U.S. Government and International Oversight Advisory (IOA)

Senator Alan Armstrong	Sen. Alan Armstrong - Distinguished Senator who is the political oversight to this Stargate project trying to dial the 9th Chevron. Also the proud loving father of Chloe Armstrong, his daughter and political aide. (From breakdown)
Carl Strom	Carl Strom - IOA representative and Camile Wray's supervisor, Carl Strom believes that the IOA should have full control of the Destiny. He does everything he can to see that this becomes a reality. (Based on spoilers from "Earth", subject to change)

Icarus Base and Destiny: Supporting Characters

• From Spoiler TV: Stargate Universe - Episode 1.01 and 1.02 - Casting Sides, January 17, 2009. -
  • Sgt. Curtis. Leads a group of stranded personnel as they survey parts of the Destiny. CASTING: According to IMDb: Bradley Stryker
  • Airman Darren Becker. Works in the Mess. CASTING: According to IMDb: Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman
  • Palmer. Has knowledge of geology/chemistry and is on an away mission searching for calcium oxide (lime), a naturally-occurring chemical compound that can be used in a variety of ways to improve living conditions. It is possible that this is a key ingredient in a compound that is part of the air scrubbing system that is malfunctioning on the Destiny.
  • White. Has knowledge of geology/chemistry who is with Palmer searching for lime.
  • Poole. Part of the group searching for lime. Is knowledgeable about the requirements needed to dial the Stargate with the ninth chevron.
  • Franklin. Described as "a middle aged Eeyore-type civilian" (Eeyore is the donkey from Winnie the Pooh that constantly loses his tail and says "thanks for noticing" whenever someone shows any kind of concern or attention). Is with Camille Wray, Sgt. Ronald Greer, and Riley as they inventory the supplies that they managed to bring with them through the Stargate and discover neatly-packaged seeds. Franklin witnesses an intense argument between Wray and Greer concerning the decision to evacuate to the Destiny instead of to Earth. Neither one knows how or why the decision was made. He's with Grearson and Eli on a planet and is knowledgeable about Stargate addresses. He has four addresses he wishes to dial, and although Eli objects because of something Rush said, doesn't want to hear it because he doesn't trust Rush's judgment. (described by Mallozzi as "dear, dear Franklin" and as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite) CASTING: Mark Burgess (Images of Burgess at Mallozzi's Weblog for May 22, 2009 and June 7, 2009.)
  • Sgt. Riley. With Franklin, Wray, and Greer while they inventory supplies brought through the Stargate. Riley pulls Wray away from her face-to-face challenge of Greer concerning the decision to evacuate to the Destiny rather than to Earth. (described by Mallozzi as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite) CASTING: According to IMDb: Haig Sutherland
  • Kim. Is knowledgeable about the requirements needed to dial the Stargate with the ninth chevron.
  • Grearson. A scientist. Is with Eli and Franklin on a planet that is barren. He sides with Franklin concerning dialing the Stargate to one of four addresses that they couldn't dial from the Destiny. Eli objects because of something Rush had said, but Grearson doesn't trust Rush's judgment and thus dismisses what Eli has to say. He's among other scientists (about six in all) who discover a "black oatmeal" on the Destiny and must figure out its function in the air scrubbing system created by the Ancients who built the ship. (described by Mallozzi as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite)
  • Dale Volker. Is among several others as they inventory the supplies that they managed to bring with them through the Stargate. Is dismayed that they found everything labeled with bar codes but they have no bar code reader. (described by Mallozzi as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite) CASTING: Patrick Gilmore (Images of Gilmore at Mallozzi's Weblog for May 22, 2009 and June 7, 2009.)
  • Adam Brody. A scientist who finds some testing equipment on the Destiny that is used to study the "black oatmeal" compound that is part of the ship's air scrubbing system that is malfunctioning. He's also working on how to seal off leaks. (described by Mallozzi as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite) CASTING: Peter Kelamis (Image of Kelamis in Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog for May 22, 2009.)
  • Phillips. A scientist who is among a group of six who must figure out how to fix the air scrubbing system on the Destiny by studying a residue that looks like "black oatmeal".
  • Hearst. A scientist who is also among the group who must determine the composition of the "black oatmeal" that is vital to the air scrubbing system of the Destiny.
  • Henry. He has technical knowledge and is able to read console indicators concerning the Destiny's air quality. He's working with Brody on the ship's air supply problem. (described by Mallozzi as holding "a lot of promise" in becoming a fan favorite)
  • McDonald. He asks for a status report from Henry and Brody concerning the air supply problem on the ship.
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, January 30, 2009 -
  • Lt. Vanessa James. "Yep, been watching a heck of a lot of auditions of late, especially for one of my favorite secondary characters - James. She’s a spitfire and is going to be a blast to write for. We’ve got three wonderful actresses in contention for the role. No matter which way we go, we won’t be disappointed." — Joseph Mallozzi (January 30, 2009). James is one of the secondary characters that Mallozzi referred to as holding "a lot of promise." CASTING: Julia Anderson (Image of Anderson in Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog for June 4, 2009.)
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, February 3, 2009 -
  • Boone. "Huzzah! I finally have a preliminary draft of the first part of the Stargate: Universe mid-season two-parter. ... Anyway, I’m quite happy with what I have. This episode promises excitement, angst, and surprises big AND small. Loving some of the show’s dark horse players: Wray, James, and, if mom will let me keep him, Boone." — Joseph Mallozzi.
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, February 23, 2009 -
  • Dr. Damji. "What a day! We were on Icarus Base shooting a couple of HUGE scenes featuring Rush, Young, Scott, Chloe, Eli, Telford, Senator Armstrong, Dr. Damji, Lt. James, Sgt. Riley, Park, Brody, and Franklin." — Joseph Mallozzi.
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, February 27, 2009 -
  • Sgt. Spencer. "I was outside this afternoon, hanging around the crafts service table, talking to the actors between set-ups: Brian, Jamil, and the actors who play James, Spencer, and Curtis (Yes, they have real names but I have no idea when they will be made public.). Lovely, lovely people, all very excited about the show and the general good on-set vibe." — Joseph Mallozzi. CASTING: Josh Blacker (Image of Blacker in Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog for May 22, 2009.)
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, March 17, 2009 -
  • Tush. "Anyway, tomorrow, we’ll be [shifting] from the [Destiny] set over to Stage 4. Fun [with] James, Wray, Tamara, Chloe, [Franklin], Tush, and [Eli]." — Joseph Mallozzi. (Still filming "Air")
• From Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, May 29, 2009 -
  • Kane. "One of the things I’m really loving about the new series is the colorful cast of characters: Rush, Young, Armstrong, Scott, Telford, Wray, Eli, Chloe, T.J., Greer, James, Brody, Franklin, Volker, Park, Spencer, Kane and Riley. I told Brad that Darkness and Light do a wonderful job of offering the viewer insight into these varied individuals thrown together by circumstance, glimpses of their respective personalities only the kino can capture."

Loved Ones Left Behind on Earth

Hailey Young	Hailey Young - Col. Everett Young's wife of two years. (From breakdown)
Sharon	Sharon - Camile Wray's 12-year life partner. (From spoilers for "Life", subject to change) "Yesterday, we watched the latest cut of Life. A brilliant episode (written by Carl Binder, directed by Alex Chapple) with some great performances – and here I must make mention of two guest stars in particular: Sarah Smyth, who delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance as the struggling Annie Balic, and Reiko Aylesworth (Hey, eagle-eyed Lost fans!) whose touching turn as Sharon proves alternately uplifting and heart-rending. Great casting." (Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, June 12, 2009)
Annie Balic	Annie Balic - Lt. Matthew Scott's lover from youth and now mother of his eight-year-old son. (From spoilers from "Life", subject to change) "Yesterday, we watched the latest cut of Life. A brilliant episode (written by Carl Binder, directed by Alex Chapple) with some great performances – and here I must make mention of two guest stars in particular: Sarah Smyth, who delivers a wonderfully nuanced performance as the struggling Annie Balic, and Reiko Aylesworth (Hey, eagle-eyed Lost fans!) whose touching turn as Sharon proves alternately uplifting and heart-rending. Great casting." (Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, June 12, 2009)

Further Reading

• Solutions: SGU Auditioning Commences, September 30, 2008.
• MGM: Across the Universe, November 5, 2008 — "One of the things I'm really excited about is that we’re looking for people who are a little more identifiable and contemporary. I always thought one of the things that was attractive about the original series was the 'everyman on the street' point of view that O’Neill had to science fiction. It made the characters identifiable. They were more like we would be in a science fiction situation, and how we would react. And that’s what we’re trying to do with the new show – create characters that are going to be challenged by the situation. The team that ends up on the ship is not really who was supposed to go, and in some cases they’re very unprepared and unqualified to be in that situation. So they don’t have all the answers as quickly, and the challenges are greater than they would be for people who have seen it all and don’t have as far to go as characters when they encounter an incredible situation. ... It’s an all new cast. There will certainly be plenty of opportunity for cross over, and there certainly might be some familiar faces in the premiere and in subsequent episodes. But the core of the show is all new. ... We’re certainly looking at some [well-known] names, for one of the lead roles in particular. But for the most part many of the cast will be either new faces, or people you’ve seen in other stuff but maybe aren’t as aware of." — Robert C. Cooper, co-creator, executive producer, writer.
• Solutions: SGU Audition Sides Reveal Characters, Technology, November 21, 2008.
• Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, November 28, 2008 — "I woke up at a reasonably early hour this morning and spent an hour perusing the audition links Rob Cooper was kind enough to forward me. I watched the Chloe‘s, Scott’s (aka Nash‘), and Tamara’s, and weighed in on my favorites. For what it’s worth. The final decision rests in Brad and Robert’s infinitely capable hands. Tonight or tomorrow, I’ll check out the Eli’s and Stasiak’s. As for Dr. Rush, I believe they already have someone in mind…" — Joseph Mallozzi.
• Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog, January 24, 2009 — "This series will be a true ensemble show so, yes, the supporting characters will play a more active role." — Joseph Mallozzi.
• Solutions: Wright and Cooper Spill on Stargate, April 5, 2009 — "There will be two gay characters on SGU. Cooper started to say there would be one at least, and Wright clarified that there will be two. Cooper and Wright want the crew to represent our society, with all its complexity and realism. They want it to be identifiable to as many people as they can. Not for ratings, but to portray humanity." — Michelle, Solutions.