What’s the deal with Starbuck?

Katee gets asked about the ending of Battlestar Galactica A LOT … but she still has no idea who or what Starbuck was. She joked that the creators may have written themselves into a corner with Starbuck and decided to make her disappear rather than explain anything.

A fan once told her ‘maybe she’s supposed to represent life and in life you don’t always have the answers’. Katee thought, “Ooh that’s a good one” and stole it so she could use it herself.

Cylons and Secrets

From the very beginning of the show, she and Edward James Olmos were the only two actors who were promised that they would never be Cylons. While the rest of the cast was sweating over who the Final 5 would be, she was just chilling.

When Starbuck was briefly killed off, Katee was the only one who knew she would rise from the ashes. The producers swore her to secrecy and she had to suffer through emotional goodbyes from cast and crew members, knowing it was all a psych out!

Can she do impressions of the BSG cast members?

Katee is not confident in her imitation skills, but she does enjoy poking fun at Aaron Douglas and how impatient he was when it wasn’t all about the Chief.

How did she get her start?

Katee was actually an extra on the 1995 film Mr. Holland’s Opus and HATED the experience. But we may have the film’s star, Richard Dreyfuss, to thank for her stunning success because he gave her some words of wisdom that set her on the right path. She was sitting around sulking at lunch and admitted to him that she was bored out of her mind. He told her not to bother being an extra if she wanted to become an actress. So Katee got up, called her mom on a pay phone for a ride and walked right off set. Years later she actually played Richard Dreyfus’ daughter in the short-lived series The Education of Max Bickford and he did not remember meeting her.

Liquid Courage

Katee and fellow BSG alum Trisha Helfer are great friends and have been hitting the sauce together for years. Their tradition is a shot of tequila to calm the nerves before getting in front of the camera. One time when Trisha was appearing on Two and Half Men and found herself lacking her liquid courage … Katee had to race across town in a cab just to bring her a bottle of tequila.

What was it like working on 24?

What’s Next For Katee?

Her A&E pilot, Longmire, was just picked up. It’s a Western-themed drama set in Wyoming, and Katee plays a deputee. She’s really happy to be back on cable because she “doesn’t fit into a box” – and networks love boxes!

Photo Gallery:

Photos & Videos by Jennifer Bragg – Copyright © 2011 TheTelevixen.com

@kateesackhoff Ok folks, asking my manager when I can tell you about my new job. I think it will be today! ; )

Well, turns out it wasn’t yesterday, and Katee wasn’t the one to break the news, but here’s the scoop: she’s been cast in the lead role on the A&E pilot Longmire, according to TVLine.com.

She had mentioned an interest in the FX supernatural cop pilot Powers, but shared via Twitter that the “timing was wrong”.

So what are your thoughts on this news?

Photo by Sheryl DaSilva – Copyright © 2010 TheTelevixen.com

I’ll start with my honorable mention – Captain Hammer.  There’s only one reason this only ranks as an honorable mention on this list – Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog wasn’t on television.  But Nathan Fillion’s character from the infamous web musical is definitely worth recognizing!  Who doesn’t love a superhero, even if he’s arrogant, self-centred, and well, a bit of dick.

#5 – Captain John Hart, Torchwood.  Although he was only in a few episodes of this hit BBC series, every moment on the screen was memorable.  Not to mention that kiss between him and Captain Jack!  James Marsters is great, no matter what role he takes on, but he injected wit and sarcasm, as well as some healthy competition with Ianto Jones for Captain Jack’s affections.

#4 – Captain Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, Battlestar Galactica.  One of television’s most compelling, iconic characters EVER, Katee Sackhoff’s Starbuck is one complicated gal.  She’s got the skills that make her a good captain, but her attitude, inability to respect most authority, instability, and the distractions caused by her “special destiny” have kept her from achieving greatness.

#3 – Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds, Firefly.  Known affectionately as “Captain Tightpants” to his legions of fans, Nathan Fillion’s Captain Mal is a fine leader on his ship, Serenity.  His mission – to keep his ship in the air, his crew safe, and to take a stand agains the corrupt Alliance forces.  Oh, and try to make some coin along the way.

#2 – Captain Jack Harkness, Torchwood and Doctor Who.  He’s sexy, suave, passionately dedicated to his mission of intercepting whatever may slip through The Rift, and fiercely protective of his team at Torchwood.  He’s a fantastic leader shrouded in the mystery surrounding his origins.  He’s saved Cardiff and the world a few times over.  John Barrowman may be known by some for his work in musical theatre, but he’s truly made his mark on the TV landscape as this fantastic character.

#1 – Captain Lee Adama, Battlestar Galactica.  Jamie Bamber’s Lee Adama is a born leader, although he needed some coaxing.  As a captain, he helped save humanity from a Cylon holocaust on New Caprica, among other things.  And now he’s taken on another leadership role – as President of the Twelve Colonies.  His passion, insight, pursuit of justice, and ability to see most situations objectively make him tops on my list of captains.

Now that I’ve shared my faves, I’d like to know yours.  Share your picks for TV Captains in the comments below.