October 25, 2014: Casting Dark Matter!

The six-person crew of a derelict spaceship awakens from stasis in the farthest reaches of space. Their memories wiped clean, they have no recollection of who they are or how they go on board. The only clue to their identities is a cargo bay full of weaponry and a destination: a remote mining colony that is about to become a war zone. With no idea whose side they are on, they face a deadly decision. Will these amnesiacs turn their backs on history, or will their pasts catch up with them?

My twelve years on Stargate served to confirm something I already knew, and a fact that most fans have known for quite some time: A clever hook may lead viewers to check out a new show, but it’s the characters that will keep them coming back.  I know, I know.  It seems pretty obvious, but to most buyers, it’s all about the sizzle.  “Hey, there’s never been a show about a unicorn detective!  Let’s do that!”  Or – “Hey, there are a dozen hits shows about a lawyers.  Let’s do that!” Sure, they’ll SAY they’re interested in the characters and will emphasize their desire to see them shine in a pilot but – Come on!  It’s the pilot! Characters develop over time through their respective journeys and their interrelations with others.  How much can you really tell from a single script?

Yes, it’s all about the characters.  And those onscreen personalities we come to grow and love are a magical mix of words on a  page and performances onscreen. Your terrific script is doomed without a solid actor while, conversely, horrendous writing can sink even the most talented of thespians.

All this to say: casting is crucial.  And it can be very tricky.  Most of the time, it’s not a simple matter of being able to distinguish a good performance from a bad one, but being able to identify the right actor for the right role.

Which is the challenge that has presented itself on Dark Matter – x 7.

We’ve cast a fairly wide net in our search to find the perfect actors for each our seven very varied crew members, using the graphic novel as more of a guide than a template.  The whirlwind process started a couple of weeks ago when the materials (breakdowns, sides, the first two episodes) went out to casting agents.  Since then, we’ve watched A LOT of auditions.  And we’ll no doubt see a lot more before we’re done.  Once the L.A. auditions come in mid next week, we’ll make our selects and narrow the field down considerably.  Our prospective candidates will read two more scenes and, based on those auditions, we’ll narrow the field down to a handful and have them read together to test their chemistry.  Based on the results, we’ll pick our favorites and then it’ll be smooooooth sailing!

***

ONE

AKA Hero, AKA Jace Corso.  HANDSOME, BOYISH, GOOD-LOOKING.  CHARMING BUT A BIT OF A GOOF, HE IS THE CREW’S MORAL CENTER, A GUY WHO ALWAYS TRIES TO DO THE RIGHT THING, despite the odds being stacked against him and no matter how unpopular the course of action.  HE IS A SPACE COWBOY, THE CLOSEST THING TO A HERO ONBOARD THE SHIP.  Sure, he screws up – but he means well.  He’s the fish-out-water with whom our viewers will hopefully identify.

Stargate equivalent -

Surprisingly (or maybe not) proving to be one of the most challenging roles to cast. But two candidates are at the top of my list…

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TWO

AKA Boss Lady, AKA Portia Lin.  THE GROUP’S DE FACTO LEADER, SHE IS A MASTER FIGHTER and an unbelievably quick learner when it comes to any type of weaponry. DETERMINED, TOUGH, AND MORE THAN A LITTLE HEADSTRONG, SHE IS NOT THE TYPE YOU WANT TO MESS WITH- OR DISAPPOINT. She can be cool and inscrutable and yet, at the same time, demonstrates a curious sympathy for her fellow crew members.

Stargate equivalent -

This was the one I was most worried about going in as she has to strike that fine balance between forceful and likeable- but we actually have some terrific candidates.

***

THREE

AKA Sunshine, AKA Marcus Boone.  A TRUE BADASS, he is the flipside to One’s principled coin – which is why the two are often at odds, developing a (grudging) like-hate relationship over the course of their journey. HE IS A MERCENARY THROUGH AND THROUGH, ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR HIMSELF.  But he must come to accept the fact that, if he’s going to survive, he’s going to have to learn to get along.

Stargate equivalent -

A few very interesting casting possibilities here.  I think of all the roles this one would probably be the most fun.

***

FOUR

AKA Ryo Tetsuda. CALCULATED, INTROSPECTIVE, EVER-STOIC AND A MASTER OF THE BLADE.   His composed exterior belies a ruthlessness that can manifest itself in extreme circumstances.

Stargate equivalent -

This one has been tough.  Poised and menacing is very hard to pull off.  But there are a few candidates I am very excited about.

***

FIVE

AKA Kid.  THE SHIP’S PIXIE-ISH MASCOT WITH MYSTERIOUS ABILITIES – SHE’S THE KID WITH ALL THE SECRETS. And a propensity for getting into trouble. EASILY BORED, QUICK TO MOUTH OFF, she is nevertheless one of the more empathetic members of our colorful crew.

Stargate equivalent -

Another one I thought would prove a challenge to cast but, so far, things are looking very good in that regard.  The issue is age.  In the show, this character may be a little older as we’ll need to cast someone 18+ to play younger.  Or cast someone younger and work around their school schedule.  Or follow my suggestion (that didn’t go over too well) and cast a high school dropout.

***

SIX

AKA Tiny, AKA Griffin Jones. ON THE SURFACE, HE’S A LOW-KEY BRUISER, AN IMPOSING FIGURE among a group of intimidating individuals. HE’S A MAN OF FEW WORDS, A TOUGH AS HELL GOON WITH LITTLE PATIENCE FOR BULLSHIT. Cross him at your own risk. Beneath the rough and tumble exterior, however, is a heart of gold- 14k, the softest! A SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE GUY, HIS QUIET CONFIDENCE BELIES A FIERCE INTELLIGENCE AND PHILOSOPHICAL NATURE.

Stargate equivalent -

There are two candidates who positively nailed it.  This is going to be a very difficult decision.

***

THE ANDROID

Aka Android. CONCISE, IMPASSIVE, YET SURPRISINGLY POSSESSED OF A SUBTLY WRY SENSE OF HUMOUR, he is an indispensable member of the crew since he can exercise control over all the ship’s systems.  Imagine him as less a robot and more a surly butler.

Stargate equivalent -

This one’s been very tough.  He’s possessed of a subtle humor that many are having a hard time capturing in their reads.

So, let’s put you in charge.  Who would you cast in each of the roles?

Tagged: Dark Matter, Dark Matter casting