Eliza Dushku finally has all her new playmates for her Dollhouse. The principals and recurring roles have been cast for Joss Whedon's ambitious return to television. They include a familiar face from the Buffyverse, as well as lots of new additions. As if that wasn't enough, critics have gotten their first look at the pilot script for the identity implanting/erasing sci-fi series, and the reviews are pretty much the definition of glowing.

The series follows the burgeoning awareness of Eliza's character Echo, one of a house full of living dolls who are imprinted with personality packages — from memories to physical abilities and more — for assignments. While we imaged a dream cast when the roles were first revealed back in March, the actual cast looks pretty impressive. First, returning under Whedon's wing is Amy Acker, aka Fred from Angel. Amy will play the recurring role of Dr. Claire Saunders, the woman who looks after the physical well-being of the dolls.

Dr. Saunders is described as having an acid wit and physical scars from a razor attack in her past. Well, we know Amy can play smart, since Fred was the big brainiac of Angel's gang. At 31, she falls on the low end of the casting call's description of a woman who is "30-60, attractive, smart and a little sad." But if Amy can pull off blue skin and tight leather as the demon goddess Illyria, I think sad with a couple scars should be no problem. … continue reading

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. … continue reading

At AfterEllen.com, we're always looking for news that will make you happy. This will, because it involves one of your favorite people.

Eliza Dushku's movie On Broadway, which garnered high praise at the 2007 Independent Film Festival of Boston, will be released March 14 for a two-week run in Boston. If the film is successful, a wider release will follow. In other words: Boston, go see this movie.

On Broadway is the story of a Boston carpenter, Jack (former New Kid Joey McIntyre), who writes a play about his late uncle, then quits his job to put on a production in a neighborhood pub on Broadway street. Jill Flint, who recently made an appearance on Gossip Girl, plays Jack's wife, Kate. … continue reading

The Scoobie Gang is getting back together. On March 20, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast will reunite for a panel discussion as part of the annual Paley Center for Media Festival in Los Angeles. Feel free to scream with delight. I’ll wait.

Confirmed to appear so far are series creator Joss Whedon , along with Buffy herself Sarah Michelle Gellar and almost all the past Scoobies: Amber Benson (Tara), Nicholas Brendon (Xander), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Seth Green (Oz), James Marsters (Spike) and Michelle Trachtenberg (little Dawnie). The reunion is part of the 25th annual PaleyFest, an interactive pop culture event that connects fans with the creators and stars of their favorite TV shows. The event is sponsored by The Paley Center (formerly known as The Museum of Television & Radio).

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Ever wonder what would happen if Joss Whedon sent out a call to action? The answer appeared in the form of 400 actors, writers and fans walking the WGA picket lines with Whedon this past Friday, including Buffy writing alums Drew Goddard and Jane Espenson.

Sarah Michelle Gellar brought doughnuts. … continue reading

Sometimes a list is so close to the hearts of AfterEllen.com readers that all a blogger has to do is tell you about it and sit back to watch the fun. So, I was tickled to find this list in the Los Angeles Times of the "Women of Whedon." The Times asked Joss Whedon to name his five favorite female creations. I was less tickled once I perused the list, however, thanks to at least one dreadful omission. (Get ready to be indignant.) Where's Willow?

While your ruffled feathers relax a bit, let's look at the women he did name. I certainly can't quarrel with the first. … continue reading

Writers strike or not, November heralds in sweeps. And sweeps heralds in guest stars. And guest stars herald in ... OK, I'm officially out of stuff to herald. But I do know that when it comes to sweeps month, the very special guest star is trumped only by the lesbian kiss as the most popular sweeps stunt. So, let's rate the ratings stunts, starting with the big guns.

Note: A few of these guest stars are showing up tonight, so set your DVRs!

Al Gore on 30 Rock (tonight!): Former vice president. Oscar winner. Nobel Peace Prize winner. Rightful Almost next president of the United States.
Stunt Wattage: 10, but we should dial it down to 8.5 to conserve energy.

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Believe it or not, 2007 is quickly winding down. The new year will be upon us before you know it. As a result, I am currently trying to decide which new calendar will adorn my sparsely decorated cubicle in the coming year. Really, the idea of shopping around for a new calendar is the fault of Sporty, Posh and the rest of the Spice Girls. They will not be adorning my walls, but news of their new 2008 calendar is what prompted my train of thought.

Sure, they're not horrible to look at or anything, but the two-month reunion tour will be more than enough Spice Girls for me. A full 12 months would just be overkill in my world. Paris Hilton has a 2008 calendar too, but any time spent with her would be too much for me.

Instead, I'm thinking something more along the lines of Battlestar Galactica or The L Word. The only problem is, while my cubicle is sparsely decorated, I have room for only one 2008 calendar. And frankly, the options are almost endless. So, instead of shelling out my hard-earned cash for something published by someone else, I decided to create my own calendar for 2008. And what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't share my latest brainstorm with all of you? (A non-working one, that's what kind.) So, for your perusal and enjoyment, here is Siege's 2008 wall calendar.

January — Melissa Etheridge

Her voice alone would keep me warm on a cold January night in the Midwest, and frankly, it has. Oh, to be the lucky farm girl who gets to curl up next to this every night. … continue reading

Attention, Joss Whedon fans. I want you to look around before reading this post. I mean it: Please take careful note of your surroundings. Be on particular lookout for small children and the elderly. If you see either, I want you to find a pencil, put it in your mouth and bite down. This will prevent you from making loud, delirious and possibly profane pronouncements of joy that could frighten and/or alarm the young and weak-hearted. Because believe me when I tell you that this news is going to make you scream. Are you ready? Pencil in place?

Joss has a new TV show. And — chomp down a little harder — he is bringing Eliza Dushku back to TV with him.

I know, right?! When I heard this, I made an involuntary part-squeal, part-screech, part-strangled chicken sound that scared the cat. Joss and television are like bacon and a cheeseburger. They’re both great apart, but together they’re nothing short of genius. To wit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly. Stop me if you’re familiar. … continue reading

Good news for Faith fans: Eliza Dushku just signed a development deal with Fox to work with the network on future projects.

The deal includes developing projects specifically for Dushku as well as reviewing current scripts with her to find a role that fits. Personally, I think they found that role long ago with Tru Calling, but not enough viewers agreed with me to make it a ratings success. By the way, Fox, you still owe us an ending.

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Wait, wasn’t Dushku supposed to be in Nurses on Fox this fall? Turns out, the series – which also starred the marvelous Sara Rue – wasn’t picked up. I wish they’d at least show the pilot. According to a review from thefutoncritic.com, one scene has Dushku’s character tackle an unruly patient who accidentally rips off her shirt in the scuffle. Some things are meant to be seen, people.

You know how there are some actors you'll go see even when you're sure you'll hate the movie? I feel that way about the entire cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This may be because Buffy has never been off the air in my household. That time I was poor and had my cable shut off, it was all Buffy DVDs all the time. (This does have some limits. I only managed three episodes of Nicholas Brendon's Kitchen Confidential, and maybe three minutes of American Pie.)

Um, where was I? Oh yeah. Eliza Dushku.

Dushku has just signed on to play a role in Bottle Shock, a movie about a pivotal moment in the history of Californian wines: the 1976 Paris Tastings, when the upstart underdog California wineries took on the reigning French heavyweights and won the contest as well as the hearts and palates of millions. I do realize I'm speaking of wines in sports metaphors here, but, well, this is the extent of my wine knowledge. (Ask me a question about microbrews, though. I'm all over that.) … continue reading

Where have I been? Apparently IMDb now has user-edited FAQs (think wiki). And the "FAQ of the week" for this week is a very impressive compendium of Buffy the Vampire Slayer facts and trivia. It even includes information about the new comic book series. And the collection of links is so very helpful — all your Buffy needs, from music to video clips to transcripts to recaps, all one click away.

Here are a few choice questions and answers:

Q. Faith has a last name now? What's up with that?
A: Yes, Faith has a last name now, Lehane. Long story short, Joss had to come up with a last name for her to put in an official RPG book, and chose to emphasis her Boston roots by giving her a Boston-Irish surname (it means "grey," apparently). You can take it or leave it as you choose for the moment, since the show isn't running any more, but since it's her 'official' last name now, it'll more than likely be the one used in any future books, comics or spin-offs. … continue reading

Q: What were the hints that Willow was gay before season 4?