Syfy’s “Defiance” has picked up two new additions to its cast.
According to Deadline, Mia Kirshner and Fionnula Flanagan are the latest performers to join “Defiance,” an upcoming sci-fi TV series developed in conjunction with the “Defiance” video game. “Defiance” takes place in the future as humans and aliens live side-by-side on Earth following decades of war and alien terra-forming that have dramatically changed the planet.
Kirshner will play Kenya, the madam of the frontier town Defiance who is described as “self-assured and dauntless” whose “unvarying devotion to Defiance has inexorably woven her into many of its complicated affairs.” Flanagan will portray Nicky, the former mayor of Defiance who serves a mentor for the current mayor, Amanda Rosewater; who is played by “Dexter” veteran, Julie Benz.
Among genre fans, Kirshner is perhaps best known as the bisexual assassin Mandy who appeared in three seasons of “24,” as well as her guest role on “The Vampire Diaries” as Isobel Fleming. Additionally, Kirshner had leading roles in Not Another Teen Movie, 30 Days of Night: Dark Days and The Black Dahlia.
Flanagan has a career spanning back decades, but she is probably most remembered for her recurring role on “Lost” as Eloise Hawking, the mother of Daniel Faraday and guide for Desmond Hume. Flanagan has also made guest appearances on “Beauty and the Beast,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Nip/Tuck” among several others.
Grant Bowler will play the main character of “Defiance,” Jeb Nolan, a law-keeper who lost his wife and child in the war against the aliens. Stephanie Leonidas will portray Nolan’s adopted alien daughter, Irisa, with Tony Curran and Jamie Murray also onboard as an alien elite, Datak Tarr and his “beautiful and proper” wife.
“Defiance” will begin production later this month in Toronto under the guidance of “Farscape” creator Rockne S. O’Bannon, with Legion director Scott Stewart signed to helm the pilot episode.
