10 years after Farscape: What the frell has the cast been up to?
It’s hard to believe that it was 14 years ago this week we first followed astronaut John Crichton through a wormhole and entered a world of aliens and living ships when Farscape premiered on March 19, 1999.
The Jim Henson Company production stole our hearts with its quirky characters and creative puppets, so much so that fans of the cult hit created quite a stir when the show was abruptly canceled after four seasons. That last cliffhanger episode also aired this week 10 years ago, on March 21, 2003.
With anniversaries of the beginning and end of the Farscape series taking place this week, what better time to take a look back and see what the cast has been up to since leaving Moya?
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Farscape: Where Are They Now
Ben Browder
After the 2004 mini-series Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars wrapped up the plot from the hit science fiction show, Browder moved on to star in another fan favorite science fiction franchise, Stargate SG-1. Browder played Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell on the show for two years and reprised the role in both Stargate movies, The Ark of Truth and Continuum, after the series was canceled. Since then he’s remained on our television sets in a number of guest starring roles. In 2012, he guest starred on NBC’s Chuck during the final season episode "Chuck Versus the Bullet Train." He also returned to sci-fi by appearing in the Doctor Who western-themed episode "A Town Called Mercy."
Most recently, he appeared on The CW’s hit series Arrow, in the episode "Trust But Verify." It seems clear that despite being a part of two hit series that were ultimately canceled, we’ll still be able to see Browder on TV pretty often!
Claudia Black
The chemistry between Browder and Claudia Black on Farscape was part of the fun of the series, so it was great to see the pair reunited when Black became a regular on Stargate SG-1 as well. Reprising her role of Vala Mal Doran who first appeared in a 2004 episode, Black joined the cast in 2005 with Browder and also appeared in both Stargate movies. Since Stargate’s cancellation, Black has made a number of other television appearances including on NCIS, 90210 and Haven. Black has also continued to lend her voice to a number of video game characters and can be heard in popular series like Mass Effect and Uncharted. Like Browder, we’ll probably keep seeing Black pop up in a number of projects.
Jonathan Hardy
Sadly, since the end of Farscape, we’ve had to say a final farewell to a loyal member of Moya’s crew. Hardy gave voice to everyone’s favorite Muppet creation Dominar Rygel XVI. He died on July 30, 2012 at the age of 71. Hardy was in two films after the series ended and made his final appearance on the Australian children’s series Magical Tales. He had a long, successful career as an actor, director, and writer, which included an Academy Award nomination for writing the screenplay of Breaker Morant.
Anthony Simcoe
Since playing Ka D’Argo on Farscape, Simcoe has not appeared in anything quite as mainstream as his fellow co-stars. He made a few appearances on various Australian TV series between 2005 and 2009. Simcoe also continued to perform with the Aussie rock band Signal Room with fellow Farscape actor Wayne Pygram.
Gigi Edgley
Known as the youthful and energetic Chiana, actress Gigi Edgley dabbled in music as well as continued to appear on TV after Farscape ended. Edgley appeared in the USA Network’s 2007 miniseries The Starter Wife, had a lead role in Australian drama Rescue: Special Ops, and most recently starred in the 2012 Australian TV series Tricky Business. She has also done some film work since leaving Moya, including co-starring in the 2006 thriller Last Train to Freo. Edgley will probably continue to show up on screen, though those screens will most likely be mainly in Australia.
Wayne Pygram
Since playing the enigmatic role of Scorpius on Farscape, Pygram has showed up in a number of TV series and movies. Pygram has appeared on some Australian TV dramas as well as made an appearance on ABC’s Lost. He also returned to science fiction on the big screen, playing the role of a young Wilhuff Tarkin in 2005’s Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Pygram was also a part of the Aussie rock band Signal Room with his Farscape co-star actor Anthony Simcoe.
Virginia Hey
Hey left her role as Pa’u Zotoh Zhaan on Farscape at the beginning of season 3. Since then she’s for the most part been absent from TV. A certified natural therapist and meditation teacher, Hey now offers meditation workshops and classes. She also started her own line of handmade, scented products including soaps, perfumes and bath salts, which she sells online. She is currently spending the year in the UK for an extensive tour of personal appearances.
Lani Tupu
Tupu, who portrayed Peacekeeper Captain Bialar Crais and voiced Pilot on Farscape, has appeared in quite a few Australian TV series over the years including Home and Away, Rush, and Packed to the Rafters. Tupu also worked on films such as Robotropolis, The King is Dead! and the short film Marla. It’s probably a safe bet that we’ll continue to see Tupu pop up on the big and small screens.
David Franklin
Who didn’t enjoy seeing Franklin’s Captain Meeklo Braca play off of Pygram’s Scorpius? Franklin has been seen quite a bit since Farscape’s end. In 2007 he had a recurring role on the long running soap opera The Young and the Restless and in 2011 a recurring role on the Australian drama Crownies. He has appeared in a few films and done some voice acting for the video game Dead Island and the animated TV movie Ben 10: Race Against Time.
Paul Goddard
Other than appearing in a 2007 Australian TV movie, BlackJack: Ghosts, Goddard hasn’t acted in much since saying goodbye to his Farscape character, Stark. Goddard did make one other appearance in 2007 though, as an acting coach on an episode of Australia’s Next Top Model.
Raelee Hill
Hill, known for playing Sikozu, has made more appearance on screen than some of her other Farscape co-stars. She’s had roles in films such as Long Road to Heaven and The Final Winter as well as a minor appearance in Superman Returns. She has also had roles on Australian TV series Blue Water High, Packed to the Rafters, and Rescue: Special Ops.
Tammy MacIntosh
MacIntosh, who played the alien with the unforgettable scream, Jool, has been fairly busy in Australia like a few of her other Farscape co-stars. She’s had a number of regular roles on TV series including All Saints, Sea Patrol, and 2012’s Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. MacIntosh has also appeared in a few films, most recently in Australia’s 2011 Sleeping Beauty.
Rebecca Riggs
After portraying Commandant Mele-On Grayza, Riggs has popped up a few times over the years on Australian TV shows including All Saints and BackBerner, but hasn’t been on anything regularly Riggs has continued to perform on stage over the years.