KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: "24"/ "GALACTICA"s KATEE SACKHOFF

Life beyond GALACTICA has never been better for the foxy Katee Sackhoff. Image: ULIKE.

Back in 2003 when popular ex-STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION writer Ronald D. Moore announced his bold plans for a darker, post 9/11 re-imagined version of the hit seventies sci-fi classic BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, originally created by Glen A. Larson, its loyal fans were already dubious about the way the show would be adapted for a new audience, and their fears were subsequently worsened when he announced that the popular lead character of the cigar smoking, crack shot pilot and womaniser Starbuck, previously immortalised by Dirk Benedict, would now be re-vamped and change gender to become a woman. This was shock horror news, and fans were not happy. Not happy at all! And their anger was soon certainly expressed worldwide by the fan communities, and even Benedict himself (who had turned down a cameo opportunity, presumably as a different role, to appear in the new show) thought the move to be a little bit too political correct. Fortunately, the re-imagined BATTLESTAR GALACTICA would go on to be a big success with many critics (who didn't like the original series but liked this one) and general audiences (many of whom had never actually seen the original show anyway), and won over many old fans by the end of the pilot and into its first year. As for the actress who would play the part of Starbuck, the name of her fighter pilot call-sign, when her real name in the series was Kara Thrace, that would be the lovely actress Katee Sackhoff who, in casting gold, soon blew pretty much all the naysayers away once she appeared on screen in the series pilot two parter. Even with Moore's re-working, this was still pretty much the same Starbuck we knew from before (there was the gambling, the cigar smoking, the cool, often fearless Viper fighter pilot with the occasional death wish!, and the sexual aspects to the role now reversed) but there was also a little bit more vulnerability and a lot more anger and hatred of senior command staff (especially the on-and off drunk Colonel Tigh (a great new take on the part as played by Michael Hogan), some of the rival pilots, and conflicts with Captain Apollo (Jamie Bamber) who, prior to their reunion on the Galactica post the destruction of their colony worlds, loved her despite her doomed relationship with his his late brother Zak, killed in a training error because she let him pass his flight exam when she knew he wasn't ready. Over four seasons, Starbuck would grow beyond those early episodes to become a very complex character and one you'd either love or hate by the revelations involving her in the shows final two years, but one thing was for certain, Katee Sackhoff, already a TV veteran with a starting film career, was a star in the making beyond GALACTICA, with her striking features and presence-full eyes, and would go on to an even more promising career playing in a variety of roles in hit shows like NIP/TUCK (as the wild and wonderful Dr. Theodora Rowe), Jamie Sommers rival, Sarah Corvus, in the short lived re-make of THE BIONIC WOMAN, as Dana Walsh, the CTU technician with a relationship problem and a secret past in the final season of 24, showing her comedic side in THE BIG BANG THEORY, and, more recently, making two appearances in the US icon show CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION playing the smart and fiery Detective Frankie Reed (her second episode is on the UK's FIVE channel tonight at 9pm). And, beyond all that, look out for her return to the sci-fi universe in an upcoming episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS (of which she has just recently recorded her voice role), playing what she promises will be a very cool character for the fans to enjoy!

Warrior woman! As Starbuck in the modern BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Image: UNIVERSAL/SYFY

On the run! As CTU operative Dana Walsh in 24. Image: 20TH CENTURY FOX.

Ready for action. As Detective Frankie Reed in CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. Image: CBS/PARAMOUNT.

Easily crossing all genres beyond playing Starbuck, it looks like the skies are certainly not the limit for this fine actress!