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Let's fill Eliza Dushku's "Dollhouse"

by
Dorothy Snarker

Who wants to play house — Dollhouse, that is? The ambitious new Joss Whedon/Eliza Dushku sci-fi series is currently casting its principal characters.

Eliza plays Echo, one of the living “Dolls,” a group of men and women who can be imprinted with personality packages — from past memories to physical abilities and language skills — for different assignments. After each assignment, their memories are erased, and they all live together in a dorm/lab dubbed the Dollhouse. The show will follow Echo’s burgeoning self-awareness and how it affects everyone around her.

So, let’s populate the Dollhouse. The character descriptions came out earlier this week, and I say we help Joss & Co. expedite the casting process. I say we dream big, because if Bionic Woman has taught us anything, it’s how bad casting can cripple a promising premise (though, to be fair, there is plenty of blame to go around there, including the entire writing staff).

Let’s take a look at the new dolls (focusing on the females, cause that’s just how we roll at AfterEllen.com):

Adelle DeWitt: 40-something, any ethnicity, beautiful, sophisticated, cold as an alp. Runs the Dollhouse with an efficiency that is both ruthless and protective. Would die before she showed anyone how lonely she is. (Series regular.)

Dream Cast: Angela Bassett. Look, I know Angela turns 50 later this year, but she can pull off 40-something better than most 40-somethings. Plus, what I wouldn’t give to see her be sophisticated, ruthless and protective on a regular basis, preferably in a sleeveless shirt to show off those guns.

 

Sierra: 20-something, Asian or any ethnicity — certainly not Caucasian. Strikingly beautiful. A Doll like Echo, she has every personality in the world but her own. Is not as self-aware as Echo, but is instinctively drawn to her as a friend. (Series regular.)

Dream Cast: Tila Tequila. I kid, I kid! No, seriously, how about Devon Aoki? The D.E.B.S. and Sin City star already knows how to be lethal on screen, so what’s a couple more personalities thrown into the mix?

November: In her 20s, any ethnicity, beautiful and heavy. Another Doll, a hopeful child in the house and everyone else you need her to be outside. A comforting, radiant presence, who tends to get fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones. (Recurring.)

Dream Cast: Nikki Blonsky. The Hairspray star is certainly a radiant presence. If any of the assignments require singing or dancing or romancing Zac Efron, she is all over it.

Dr. Claire Saunders: 30-60, attractive, smart and a little sad. Looks after the physical well-being of the dolls. Has an acid wit. (Recurring.)

Dream Cast: Joan Allen. My first inclination was Helen Mirren, but even I think The Queen is dreaming too big. Joan has proven herself as having all four key attributes — attractive, smart, sad and witty — time and time again. And she already has plenty of natural Bourne experience with secret agents and uncovering lost memories.

The show will start production next month and should be ready for next fall’s TV season. For the full cast description list, including all the fellas, click here. So, what do you think of these picks? Who would you cast?

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    • Submitted by
    Dorothy Snarker
    on March 6, 2008 - 6:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    Kaytiana's picture

    ARGH!  I am so excited for

    Submitted by
    Kaytiana (130 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 5:55pm.
    ARGH!  I am so excited for this show!!  Sorry, I cannot comment on casting right now, but everytime I hear the tiniest bit about this show I get so hyper!!!!
    Moridin's picture

    Speaking of Joss Whedon and his verses

    Submitted by
    Mori (14 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 5:59pm.
    (spoiler season 8 comic, if you are not up to date, do not go there) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/books/05buffy.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin
    glwtta's picture

    All I can say is: Great

    Submitted by
    glwtta (82 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 8:25pm.
    All I can say is: Great Muppety Odin!
    Phantom's picture

    Ooh I like the way you make me picture this... :)

    Submitted by
    Phantom (121 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 6:20pm.

    Interesting suggestions... and helluwa interesting bios!
    Now I'm anticipating it even more. argh.

    Heh Devon Aoki sprang immediately to mind for Sierra. She has the certain doll-ish presence (meant in a non-offensive way) about her. My second pick though would be Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica).
    But how about Elizabeth Mitchell as Claire Saunders? I know, I know, she's still on Lost, but this about wishful thinking...
    And I'm thinking someone along the lines of Seth Green for the part of Topher Brink, just because I'm positive he'd pull off that 'blithely amoral' superbly.
    Jay's picture

    !

    Submitted by
    Jay (304 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 6:35pm.
    Wait. Women outnumber men? Holy crap.
    venus sans furs's picture

    *goes over flammable chemical checklist*

    Submitted by
    venus sans furs (52 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 6:38pm.

    Dear Fox,

    If you f*ck this up like you did with Firefly, I'm going to firebomb your studio headquarters.

    Love (with utmost contempt),

    Stephanie

     

    LamiaCult's picture

    Let's collaborate

    Submitted by
    Thea (43 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 2:03am.

    Let's collaborate on this.

    TehMorp's picture

    awwww :(

    Submitted by
    TehMorp (15 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 6:49pm.
    Is there no role for Katee Sackhoff? :(
    boywithmoonandstars's picture

    For Adelle Dewitt

    Submitted by
    boywithmoonandstars (191 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 7:42pm.
    Either Stephanie March ( Alex Cabbot from Law and order SVU) Or how about a favorite of mine, Susanna Thompson? She played Jessies mom Karen on Once and Again, and The Borg Queen on Star Trek Voyager. So, efficient, ruthless and protective......Check....check....check! No matter the cast, I love Eliza and everything Joss does so I am pumped.
    glwtta's picture

    Lets not forget she also got

    Submitted by
    glwtta (82 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 11:58pm.
    Lets not forget she also got "Rejoined" on ST:DS9 :)
    Nathiest's picture

    how bout that one chick

    Submitted by
    Nathiest (308 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 9:09pm.

    how bout that one chick um.. Sarah Michelle Gellar?

    -Nathiest
    live for lust die for love

    falling-down's picture

    The description of the

    Submitted by
    falling-down (4 posts)
    on March 6, 2008 - 10:55pm.
    The description of the Sierra character reminds me of Morena Baccarin. I know she's not Asian, and I also know they've said that they're not planning to do much recasting of former Whedonverse people, but still...
    4sakenshadowxsoldierlette's picture

    i can't wait!!!!!!!

    Submitted by
    4sakenshadowxso... (423 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 12:52am.

    ELIZA ELIZA ELIZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can't wait! does anyone know what station will be showing this? honestly if someone mentioned it above sorry i ddin't read all the replies.

    i could see the girl that played Van from Dante's Cove as Sierra.

    Heather Locklear as Adelle...i've just had her in my head all day. idk y tho. ooh!

    dr claire....could be maive quinlen....or thea

    November i can def see Gab aka Spencer from south of nowhere

    just through in jordana brewster and megan fox for good measure and this would be my all time favorite show just for the cast!

    ~*~Alice: Thank god you're here we're totally outnumbered. Bette: What do you mean? Alice: Straight people. Bette: Oh, Jesus.~*~

    RavenNation's picture

    Fox

    Submitted by
    LISTEN TO KILLOLA! (65 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 4:05am.

    It's going to be airing on Fox. 

     

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

    Cut me up, see inside my veins

    My blood flows for only you 

    LilyJadeRose's picture

    way cool!

    Submitted by
    LilyJadeRose (43 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 4:26am.

    i loved eliza in Tru Calling, in fact i wish that show had never gotten cancelled. 

    you know, i'd love to see Gabrielle Union play the character of Dr. Claire Saunders.  it seems that this character has the potential to be a bit shrewd and bitchy and G.U. has been type casted in those roles numerous times, but i get the feeling that there is emotional depth here and i'd love to see her in this role.  doubt she will be though.

    As for Sierra, i can totally see Lynn Chen (she played Viv in the moving Saving Face) in that role.  can't wait to see this series!

    ~i am bisexual.  you are confused.~

    EnglishGirlNat's picture

    Eliza!

    Submitted by
    EnglishGirlNat (11 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 6:33am.
    wow, this is the first i've heard of this show and i'm very excited about it!! it's about time eliza was back on our screens again!! (big fan can u tell?!?! :P)
    BrokenWings84's picture

    I can not wait...

    Submitted by
    BrokenWings (46 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 7:42am.

    ...for this show to come on the air! I love everything Joss Whedon does. And Elisha ;) 

    I want the fire back...

    green_queen's picture

    Michael Muhney

    Submitted by
    Green Queen (1 post)
    on March 7, 2008 - 8:48am.

    For anyone who's seen the rest of the character details, I'm voting for Michael Muhney (Veronica Mars' Sheriff Lamb) as Victor.

    Also, I would LOVE for Nikki Blonsky to be on this show. Tracy Turnblad is my hero. I can't wait to see Dollhouse.

    formicalinoleum's picture

    Yay Joss!

    Submitted by
    formicalinoleum (79 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 9:22am.

    It's really nice to read the character descriptions and see that there are two roles for "older" (by Hollywood standards) women and a "heavy" woman.

    Also, big yes to Angela Bassett!!

    prettyinblack33's picture

    Yes, Yes, a million times...

    Submitted by
    incognegro (46 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 11:05am.

    YES TO DEVON AOKI! Oh and a big fat YES to Angela Bassett as well!

    I'm super excited about this show...I love, love, love Joss and Eliza.

    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    Cast

    Submitted by
    Mel (25 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 1:27pm.

    I Swear To Go God Even If Sarah Michelle Prince Makes An Apearence Of This Show I Will Kill Joss And If Another Eliza Dushku Shows Gets Cancelled Im Going On A Murder Spree Because I Loved Tru Calling And It Was Cancelled And I Know She Wasnt In Firefly But I Loved That Too. Okay So I Love Anything Shes In But Hey! I Love Joss And Eliza I Cant Wait!

    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    Cast

    Submitted by
    Mel (25 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 1:27pm.

    I Swear To Go God Even If Sarah Michelle Prince Makes An Apearence Of This Show I Will Kill Joss And If Another Eliza Dushku Shows Gets Cancelled Im Going On A Murder Spree Because I Loved Tru Calling And It Was Cancelled And I Know She Wasnt In Firefly But I Loved That Too. Okay So I Love Anything Shes In But Hey! I Love Joss And Eliza I Cant Wait!

    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    Cast

    Submitted by
    Mel (25 posts)
    on March 7, 2008 - 1:27pm.

    I Swear To Go God Even If Sarah Michelle Prince Makes An Apearence Of This Show I Will Kill Joss And If Another Eliza Dushku Shows Gets Cancelled Im Going On A Murder Spree Because I Loved Tru Calling And It Was Cancelled And I Know She Wasnt In Firefly But I Loved That Too. Okay So I Love Anything Shes In But Hey! I Love Joss And Eliza I Cant Wait!

    LoveLillianGish's picture

    Love Joss Whedon

    Submitted by
    LoveLillianGish (120 posts)
    on March 8, 2008 - 12:29pm.

    Points to Joss for anothering interesting show idea that I'm sure will be layered with feminism. I agree with you on Devon Aoki, she's interesting and wonderfully creepy in Sin City, but a world of no to Tila Tequila. The girl cannot act. I'm mean and I don't give her points for trying. Joan Allen would be a great pick. I loved her in The Upside of Anger. She has range with her emotions. Hopefully if this goes through it'll be better than Tru Calling, no offense to Eliza but to me all she did was run in that show, lots and lots of running.

     

    Side note: Mel, why would you want to kill Joss (He's a genuis) if SMG made an appearence? It wouldn't be that bad. She's going to the convention for Buffy and she seems to have a brain, based on her quotes and opinions on equal rights/gay marriage. I give her points.  

    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    Answer

    Submitted by
    Mel (25 posts)
    on March 8, 2008 - 2:29pm.
    I Just Dont Like SMG for Saying Things About The Show That Made Her A Star
    LoveLillianGish's picture

    valid point

    Submitted by
    LoveLillianGish (120 posts)
    on March 9, 2008 - 1:51am.
    True. It annoys me as well but she's been an actress since she was a kid. I think Amber Benson was the best on the show and a very sweet person.
    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    I Agree

    Submitted by
    Mel (25 posts)
    on March 9, 2008 - 3:12pm.
    Yeh I Remeber Seeing A Clip On Youtube With Sarah As A Kid In A Burger King Advert. Amber Is A Very Sweet Person My Fave Character Would Either Be Faith Or Willow .Tara Should Have Talked More Often.
    LoveLillianGish's picture

    Tara

    Submitted by
    LoveLillianGish (120 posts)
    on March 12, 2008 - 3:20am.
    Considering she was initially going to only be in one episode I think it's great her character developed and she talked when she felt something was important. she chose her battles and words wisely, an admirable quality.

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