Julie Benz To Star in New Syfy Series Defiance

Defiance , the new Syfy US series that’s been created by Farscape ’s Rockne S O’Bannon , is snapping up fave cult TV actors like it’s at a Buy More clearance sale.

The latest additions to the cast are Julie Benz ( Buffy The Vampire Slayer , Dexter , No Ordinary Family ), Tony Curran (Van Gogh in Doctor Who ’s “Vincent And The Doctor”, 24 ), Jaime Murray ( Hustle , Warehouse 13 , Dexter , Spartacus ) and Stephanie Leonidas ( Mirrormask , Eternal Law ). They join the previously-announced Grant Bowler (werewolf pack leader Cooter in True Blood season three).

Set on a future Earth (and developed alongside an accompanying online game) Defiance is set in a world where humans and aliens live together on a planet ravaged by decades of war and transformed by alien terra-forming machines.

Bowler plays Jeb Nolan , the law-keeper in a bustling frontier boom town that’s one of the new world’s few oasis of civility and inclusion. Benz plays Amanda Rosewater , the idealistic newly appointed mayor who’s determined to maintain peace in the community. Leonidas is Irisa , a beautiful warrior from an alien race called the Irathients , who was orphaned and raised by Nolamn . Curran plays Datak Tarr , a member of another elite alien race known as the Castithans who schemed his way off his home planet before it was destroyed. Murray will play Datak’s wife.

Scott Stewart ( Legion / Priest ) will direct Defiance , slated to begin production in April in Toronto.

Dave Golder
Freelance Writer

Dave is a TV and film journalist who specializes in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He's written books about film posters and post-apocalypses, alongside writing for SFX Magazine for many years.