David Eick and Syfy’s search for a young William Adama in ‘Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome’ has ended with the role going to young British actor Luke Pasqualino.
Pasqualino is no stranger to television in the U.K. He stars on the hits series ‘Skins,’ has guest-starred on several other shows and already built a strong following of young female admirers. Whether or not his following will translate into additional ratings for Syfy remains to be determined.
Fans of Battlestar Galactica have been lobbying hard since Syfy announced the prequel set during the 10th year of the Cylon War for Nico Cortez to land the role. Cortez played a younger version of Adama in the made-for-tv movie Razor set in between the third and fourth seasons of Battlestar Galactica.
While Cortez was singled out as being in the running by Syfy executives, ultimately they chose to go a younger direction. Pasqualino is only 20 years old and can pull off a look a couple years younger than that. His age seems to fit the character which is described by Syfy as being “a recent Academy graduate who finds himself assigned to the newest Battlestar in the Colonial fleet: the Galactica.”
Also joining the cast of ‘Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome’ is Canadian actor Ben Cotton (‘Riese,’ ‘Hellcats,’ 2 episodes of ‘Caprica’) as officer Coker. In the pilot his character will be 45 days from concluding his tour of duty and clashing with young Adama who seeks more action. They’ll eventually have to mend bridges quickly in order to complete a mission that becomes vital to the survival of the Colonial fleet.
I found the following interview with Pasqualino from about a year ago out on YouTube to give you an idea of what he’s like. Clearly he’ll need to pull a “House” and ditch the heavy British accent, but there is definitely some physical resemblance to Edward James Olmos in his looks. He must have pulled off a great young Olmos in auditions to land the role so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
In case you missed it, here is some early concept art from ‘Blood and Chrome’ to give you an idea for the look Eick and co. are shooting for.
Source: EW
