VINCENT SPANO as CAPTAIN LUCIANO CICERO MANTOVANNI

Vinny's been around for quite some time, having starred over 20 years ago in that quintessential "wayward youth" film, Rumblefish. I've seen him give some excellent performances, and while he's made some ... ahem ... interesting (read that "appalling") film choices, he's usually quite convincing even so. While some critics felt he was unjustly ignored by the Academy for his work in John Sayles' 1991 urban epic, City of Hope, he's also been in such forgettable B-movie clunkers as The Rats, Downdraft and Prophecy III. Recently, though (2005), he starred with Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) in a made-for-TNT movie, The Engagement Ring. I tuned in expecting a so-so production surrounding indifferent performances, and was pleasantly surprised: It’s a sweet and startlingly funny comedy—especially if you’re Italian. I recommend it highly.

To learn more about this vastly underrated actor, go to either Le Site Vincent Spano or the Vincent Spano Tribute page. Neither destination is gorgeous, but ... hey, they like the guy and they've got enthusiasm. Works for me.

Casting Choice: Originally, I had envisioned The Mambo Kings' Armand Assante for this role; however, something about him didn't quite ring true. Then, for almost two years, I found no one better suited than Damien Thomas, who is perhaps most famous for his portrayal of the Jesuit priest Martin Alvito in the miniseries adaptation of James Clavell's Shogun.

Appearance, though, is crucial to Mantovanni's character; even a bearded Thomas (from the period in which Shogun was filmed) is not quite Sicilian-looking enough. In addition, Thomas is extremely slender, as befit a man of the cloth. He would have had to add about thirty pounds of muscle to be convincing in the role of Liberty's commander.

Spano, by contrast, is a near-perfect Mantovanni: Italian, tall, dark, brooding, well-formed, quite handsome (but not breathtaking unless you very much like that type) and an extremely talented actor, despite a more than few cinemagraphic accidents along the way.

Others considered for this role include Robert DeNiro, Michael Nouri, Al Pacino and Gino Vanelli.

SUSAN GIBNEY as COMMANDER ERIKA BENTEEN

This talented actress guest-starred in “Homefront” and “Paradise Lost” on Deep Space Nine, ably portraying a woman torn between her commitment to the ideals of Starfleet and her personal loyalty to a charismatic commanding officer. It wasn't her first role in the Star Trek universe, either: She also played warp propulsion expert Leah Brahms in two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Two years ago, she snagged a starring role on John Larroquette’s Happy Family. Unfortunately, by the time of this writing, the show had already been cancelled ... and from what I saw, not a moment too soon: It sucked.

Gibney is attractive, but not stunning; her charge Benteen seems highly competent, but not superhuman. All in all, she provided a highly effective characterization on which to build.

Casting Choice: There's not much to say about this one. If you don't like the selection here, I suggest you email the casting director for Deep Space Nine.

MELISSA GILBERT as DOCTOR JANE McDONALD

Many of us grew up with Melissa Gilbert, and to imagine her as a character who's less than vanilla pure is anathema. Then, again, considering that she's been President of the Screen Actors Guild, I imagine she's probably capable of schmoozing, and mixing it up, with the best of them. For more information, check out The Official Sites of Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner.

Casting Choice: While this selection isn't as imaginative as it would have been before her startling turn as Captain John Sheridan's ill-fated wife Anna on Babylon Five, it's still not one with which people are immediately comfortable; too many "Half-Pint" associations, I would imagine.

Well, get over it, people: This lady can act.

Others considered for this role include Meredith Baxter-Birney (who's too old), and Rene Russo (who's otherwise occupied).      

LINDA HUNT as COUNSELOR M’RAAV HATSHEPSUT

If you've ever seen her Academy Award-winning performance in The Year of Living Dangerously, you know that Linda Hunt can play any role. Extraterrestrial cat-woman would be no challenge. She's a veteran actress, with memorable turns in Kindergarten Cop and the vastly overlooked and under-esteemed Silverado. If you need a reliably competent and memorable performance, Linda's your lady.

Casting Choice: Like her feline counterpart, Linda Hunt is just too cool for words—with a curious but undeniable charisma. Those of you who've seen Silverado probably remember this exchange:

"Stella... are you the Midnight Star herself?"

"I am. I'm always there, but I only ... shine at night."

After reading that again, I knew I had my Hatshepsut.

JOSHUA JACKSON as LIEUTENANT (junior grade) BRETT KING

Describing this young man with the phrase "up-and-coming" just doesn't work anymore: Joshua Jackson has definitely arrived. His film Cursed, with Christina Ricci, is at the time of this writing about a week from release; he seems to be working the independent film circuit pretty vigorously, his work on Dawson's Creek having gradually, but inevitably, garnered him the attention he deserves. Let's see what he does with it.

For those of you interested in JJ, take a gander at the Joshua Jackson Network. It's an attractive and informative site.

Casting Choice: Something about Jackson's performance as Pacey (perhaps the fact that he ably portrays a cynical smart ass) on Dawson's Creek had me thinking "Brett King" from the moment I saw him ... and, as Brett has gradually played a more prominent role in the series, I finally decided to make it "official."

No other actor was seriously considered for the role.

MOIRA KELLY as LIEUTENANT VAERTH PARIHN

All her life, Moira Kelly has marched to the beat of a different drum ... or, as her Orion alter ego might put it, danced to the music in her mind. Ms. Kelly has always been more concerned with the state of her integrity and soul rather than that of her career: Poised over a decade ago (after films like Chaplin and The Cutting Edge) to become the next little darling of American cinema, she instead turned her back on the whole Hollywood machine and embraced the independent filmmaking industry, making such movies as Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story and, just three years ago, the award-winning short film A Woman Reported.

She now stars as Karen Roe on the WB's One Tree Hill; and her fans the world over, of which I am one, gratefully tune into a somewhat silly, angst-ridden teen melodrama simply for their "Moira fix."

There are numerous Moira Kelly tribute sites online (and justly so). Still, a good place to start is at MoiraKelly.net. Enjoy.

Casting Choice: To amuse a friend, I'd originally chosen Rachael Leigh Cook to play the intense Orion, Vaerth Parihn. After a few months, though, I thought her just too cutesy for the role, and looked for a replacement.

Then again, my next choice, Jane Wiedlin (formerly of the GoGos), wasn't exactly undeserving of that appellation, either—especially considering that annoyingly squeaky speaking voice of hers.

My third attempt, Moira Kelly, I believe, struck close to the right chord. I then decided, though, that she just wasn't quite gorgeous enough to portray a legendary beauty like Parihn. More the fool I.

Thus, I went full circle, back to Rachael Leigh… yet I still wasn't satisfied.

Some time later, I again watched Moira Kelly's performance in The Cutting Edge, and realized that she, indeed, possesses an incomparable allure and steely fragility that suits Parihn very well. And, thus, Miss Moira's here to stay.

Others considered for the role include Winona Ryder and Elizabeth Taylor (the National Velvet Elizabeth Taylor, that is).

RENE RUSSO as SUBCOMMANDER T’LARIS

This lady got a late start, acquiring notoriety as an actress only in her 30’s ... but has more than made up for it, appearing beside (among others) Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, John Travolta and Kevin Costner. She’s certainly grown into a formidable screen presence, exhibiting an elegant, mature sensuality in whatever role she appears. Rene seems equally at home in either comedic or dramatic parts, which is rare even among quality performers—of which she is unquestionably one.

She’s also probably the most conventionally “famous” of my players to Western audiences. While this would normally have disqualified her, she seems more an actress with a movie star’s notoriety, rather than simply the latter. From me, that gets her the benefit of the doubt.

Casting Choice: Rene replaces Yancy Butler as T’Laris, in part because I was never entirely pleased with the latter actress. In addition, the upcoming crossover with Richard Merk’s Banshee Squadron, “After the Fire,” would have meant dueling Yancys, since he employs her as his late lamented squadron commander, Jasmine Phoenix. That was sufficient catalyst to make a change.

DIANE VENORA as COMMANDER SERA MacLEOD

Ms. Venora is, without question, one of the most underrated actresses of her generation. I have never seen her give a bad performance, and she's played everything from a battle-scarred, chain-smoking Russian cop (The Jackal) to "Queen" Gertrude herself (Hamlet 2000). The woman has held her own on screen opposite such giants as Russell Crowe and Al Pacino, while leaving audiences thinking, Wow, she's great. Who is that, again? Diane is the definitive example of age simply being a number: At 54, she does many of her own stunts, and looks a lot hotter than many women with half her ... time in service.

Rock on, Diane. You've got a big fan right here.

Casting Choice: My wife was at first leery of my choice here—much of Commander MacLeod's persona was drawn, after all, from her ideas—until she saw Ms. Venora in what has fast become one of her all time favorite movies: The 13th Warrior.

Now Gab's decided that both her appearance is appropriate and her skills sufficient to the demanding task of portraying the incomparably brilliant half-Vulcan.

I knew it all along.

Sadly, much of Diane's part was cut from the aforementioned film. The director must have jammed down a fistful of stupid pills before making that decision.

Others considered for this role include Maura Tierney and Marcia Gay Harden.

MICHELLE YEOH as LIEUTENANT COMMANDER T'VAAR

The lady is a phenomenon in Asia... and has occasionally made a mark here, in such films as The World Is Not Enough, Supercop … and, of course, the Best Picture-nominated Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I can’t think of another person more able to convey T’Vaar’s serenity and strength of will: Ms. Yeoh just looks like she’s not to be messed with, doesn’t she? For more information on this wonderfully-talented and lovely actress, try the Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre.

Casting Choice: Others considered for this role include Parker Posey and the woman who once had it, Catherine Bell. Still, once I knew more about T'Vaar (including some facts I've not yet chosen to reveal), Michelle was the only choice that made real sense.

I shall add to this page occasionally, as more of Liberty's characters become central enough to merit a spot here.