Production has begun on The CW’s upcoming summer sci-fi series ‘Pandora’, with a cast fronted by Priscilla Quintana, who plays Jax, who attends an academy with other recruits, training to defend the galaxy, but things may not be as simple as they seem. The regular cast also includes Oliver Dench, Raechelle Banno, John Harlan Kim, Ben Radcliffe, Banita Sandhu, Martin Bobb-Semple, and Noah Huntley. ‘Pandora’ was created by Mark A. Altman and Steve Kriozere.
Set in the year 2199, Pandora centers on Jax (aka Pandora), played by Quintana, a resourceful young woman who has lost everything after the death of her parents but finds a new life at Earth’s Space Training Academy where she and her friends learn to defend the Galaxy from threats, both alien and human. When secrets about the nature of her own identity begin to surface, she must uncover the truth, and whether she will be humanity’s savior or the instrument of its destruction.
Altman said:
“The biggest challenge of casting a new drama is to create an exciting, diverse family of actors, and I cannot imagine a more dynamic or talented group of actors than the cast of Pandora. I can’t wait for audiences around the world to meet this incredible ensemble this summer.”
Jax is described as being “super smart, naturally inquisitive, empowered, and with a quick acerbic wit.” Unfortunately, the deaths of her parents are just the start, as she realizes “her whole life is a lie.” Quintana most recently appeared in the horror movie ‘Polaroid’, and was seen last year in the drama ‘Traffik’. She has also appeared on the TV series ‘Lethal Weapon’, ‘Training Day’, ‘Masters of Sex’, and more.
Dench portrays Jax’s romantic interest, Xander Duvall, who appears to be Professor Donovan Osborn’s teacher’s assistant, but he is secretly “a top operative in the Earth Confederacy Intelligence Services.” He finds his loyalty tested between the Confederacy and his superior, Osborn, and “his love for Jax.” Dench most recently starred on the Sky teen drama ‘The Athena’.
Banno will play Atria Nine, “a bubbly, very loquacious, free-spirited, sexually fluid, purple-haired” clone, “who was once the property of the Adari sect. She has emancipated herself from the theocracy at great cost, both physically and emotionally. Although she comes across as amazingly upbeat, optimistic, and sweet, her cheery disposition hides a darkness in her soul… perhaps because she often wonders as a clone if she truly has one.” Banno has been a longtime cast member of the Australian soap opera ‘Home and Away’.
Kim portrays Greg Li, “a brilliant medical student who is smart, laconic and charming as hell.” He is also described as being “focused on his career.” He finds Jax to be a “kindred spirit.” Kim played Ezekiel Jones on all four seasons of TNT’s ‘The Librarians’.
Radcliffe plays Ralen, a member of the alien race of Zatarians, who, until recently, were at war with Earth. Ralen is the first of his race to attend the Academy, but understandably, he isn’t trusted by most of the students, with the exception of Jax, who “is willing to give Ralen a chance even as the audience will question Ralen’s loyalties and motives throughout the series.” Radcliffe starred on the British Disney Channel series ‘The Evermoor Chronicles’, and more recently appeared on ‘Hetty Feather’.
Sandhu portrays Jax’s roommate Delaney Pilar, who is aloof and arrogant because she has been enhanced with nanites and is connected to the Datastream, and “the group mind of those in the Datacore,” but she begins to question her decision to give up her individuality for these gifts. Last year, Sandhu appeared in the romantic drama ‘October’.
Bobb-Semple’s character, Thomas James Ross, is a “serious and driven” would-be fighter pilot. His plan is derailed when he discovers that he has inherited his genetically-altered father’s telepathic abilities. His father was given these powers to battle the Zatarians during their war, but Thomas “wants nothing to do with his estranged father who squanders his powers on gambling and seduction.” Bobb-Semple may be best recognized for co-starring on Netflix’s ‘Free Reign’, alongside Huntley.
Huntley portrays Professor Donovan Osborn, who is described as “a force of nature, Osborn is Jax’s Uncle and the Academy’s most respected and terrifying teacher. He is arrogant and demanding, but also brilliant and incredibly intimidating. But his role as a professor is only cover for his more pressing responsibilities in the Earth Intelligence Services.” From the sound of things, Osborn and Xander are working on a hidden agenda, secret from the other characters, but it will likely not remain a secret for long.
‘Pandora’ is now filming in Bulgaria. The CW has not announced when the show will air.
Source: Deadline
