Remember the sci-fi series 'V'? What happened to the actors?
It was in the mid-1980s that the series 'V' appeared on television screens. It didn't last very long: 19 episodes. Still, many people have memories of this sci-fi classic. Let's see who the characters were and how the actors and actresses are doing now.
Image: still from 'V,' NBC
The supreme commander of the extraterrestrial visitors and undisputed queen of 'V' was none other than Diana, a baddie who left us all with our mouths agape when she swallowed a rat the size of a rabbit... with some tremendous special effects for that time! Behind that evil face was actress Jane Badler.
The role of Diana brought Jane Badler worldwide fame as an actress. After her appearance in 'V', she played Meredith Braxton in 'Falcon Crest' between 1986 and 1987. She guest-starred in other series such as 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Hotel' and 'Fantasy Island'. Since the 80s she has continued appearing in series, including the successful soap opera 'Neighbours' (2010).
If there was one woman capable of overshadowing Diana in a 'V', it was Julie Parrish, her number one enemy. Julie was a molecular biologist and the founder of the Resistance against the invading alien lizards. She was played by actress Faye Grant.
Although Faye Grant's first long role was in the series 'The Greatest American Hero' as Rhonda Blake, between 1981 and 1983, we mostly remember her as Julie in 'V', between 1983 and 1985. After that, she kept working, though in secondary roles. Her last film appearance was in 'Affairs of State' (2018).
Actress June Chadwick played Lydia, a fleet security officer sent to Earth by Lizard leader John for the start of a second invasion.
Despite her time in 'V', the career of British actress June Chadwick did not go much further. Her filmography includes another series from 1984, 'Riptide', in which she played the role of Lieutenant Joanna Parisi, and her best-known film is also from that year: 'This Is Spinal Tap'. She continued to work until 2001, although the titles were little-known.
In the series, TV reporter Mike Donovan (played by actor Marc Singer) became one of the leaders of the Resistance after the lizard invasion.
Marc Singer had been building his career as an actor since the 70s, but it wasn't until the 80s, with 'V' and his leading role in the film 'The Beastmaster', that he really made a name for himself. Since then he has worked in many more film productions, but his best work is from the small screen with famous shows like 'Dallas', 'The Twilight Zone', and 'Murder, She Wrote.' His latest work to date has been 'AJ and the Queen' (2020).
Among the many bad guys there is always a good soul, and in the series 'V' that man was Willie. He was an alien visitor but one with a pacifist ideology. The character was played by the actor Robert Englund.
Robert Englund had already been working in film and television since the mid-70s, but it was in the 80s when he made his definitive leap to the top: first with 'V', but mostly with his famous role of Freddy Krueger in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984). One of his latest appearances has been in the Netflix hit show 'Stranger Things.'
Sean, Mike Donovan's son, was played in the series episodes 5 and 6 by actor Nicky Katt. As the son of an important Resistance leader, the child is turned by Diana to act as a spy within the Resistance.
His time in 'V' was quite sporadic, but since then his work as an actor has not stopped. Nicky Katt has worked in films such as 'SubUrbia' (1996), 'Dazed and Confused' (1993), 'Scotch and Milk' (1999), and 'Sin City' (2005). However, the great role of his life has been that of teacher Harry Senate in the FOX series 'Boston Public'.
Diana's right-hand man, Steven, played by actor Andrew Prine, is the head of security on board the alien's ship as it lands in Los Angeles.
The Florida-born actor began his film career in the 1960s but became best known for his supporting roles in the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to 'V', he also appeared in other productions such as 'Dallas' and 'Gettysburg'. In the 2000s he worked in series like 'Boston Legal' and 'Six Feet Under.'
This is another visitor who comes to Earth to subjugate the humans. Lieutenant James is an ambitious man who does not hesitate to get into bed with Diana in order to rise to the top.
In theatre, film, and TV, his career has been closely linked to science fiction. We not only saw him in 'V' but also in the 'Star Trek' saga and in three episodes of 'The X-Files'. The last role of his career was in 1998, alongside Wesley Snipes, in 'Blade', where he played Pallatine.
John is the Supreme Commander of the visiting fleet who's in charge of most of the operations during the first invasion of Earth. He's also the first alien to address the humans at the United Nations headquarters.
Richard Herd is no longer with us. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 87 after battling cancer for some time. Throughout his career, we saw his performances in series such as 'Falcon Crest', 'Dynasty', 'Quantum Leap', 'Star Trek: Voyager,' and 'Seinfeld', among many others.
Elias Taylor is an ex-criminal who is in charge of the Creole Club, an informal Resistance group.
New York actor Michael Wright's time on television was not very extensive. He stands out mostly for his role in 'V' and, from 2001 to 2003, as Omar White in 'Oz'. His latest work includes 'Transitions' in 2019.
Nathan Bates is one of those unscrupulous businessmen you can't miss in fiction and reality. He's the president of the company that produces the red dust that can cause alien reptiles to die. He uses that power to blackmail Diana and control Los Angeles himself.
Lane Smith is another cast member of 'V' who has already left us. He died of ALS in 2005. Before and after 'V' he had a great career with films such as 'The Final Days' (1989), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe; 'My Cousin Vinny' (1992), and 'The Legend of Bagger Vance' (2000). He also played in series such as 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' (1993) and 'Walker, Texas Ranger' (1999).
As Nathan Bates' son, he is disowned by the businessman and joins the Resistance. At some point, Kyle even becomes one of its leaders.
The series 'V' was Jeff Yagher's debut as an actor, but there was little more work of relevance after that. He appeared sporadically in series such as 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'Six Feet Under,' and the pilot episode of '21 Jump Street,' where he ended up getting replaced by Johnny Depp.
Another member of the Resistance who previously worked for Nathan Bates. He's a tough guy, a former CIA agent, and a hitman for the anti-alien organization.
A producer, director, and screenwriter as well as an actor, Ironside has often played villains and tough guys. His filmography is vast, both in cinema and television. If we have to highlight some titles of his career after 'V', they would be 'Top Gun' (1986), 'Starship Troopers' (1997), 'Terminator: Salvation' (2009), and 'X-Men: First Class' (2011).
The daughter of an Earthling and a Visitor, Elizabeth, played by actress Jennifer Cooke, is only two years old but appears to be in her twenties. She has powers that the Resistance uses after she joins them.
Actress Jennifer Cooke's career was very short. She began in 1978 with 'Tom and Joann' and, after her stint in 'V' between 1984 and 1985, she was only seen in three more productions until 1986, including the series 'The Hitchhiker' (1985), the film 'Friday the 13th Part VI' (1986), and 'A Year in the Life ' (1986).
This is Elizabeth's mother after she's gotten pregnant by the visitor Bryan. Robin has twins, but one of them dies while Elizabeth remains.
Blair Tefkin's career did not go much further than her role in 'V.' We did see her in series such as 'Get a Life' (1990-1992) and in films like 'Dream Lover' (1993) or 'The Anniversary Party' (2001). In addition to being an actress, she has worked as a singer-songwriter.
Spoiler alert: Nathan Bates' henchman will end up killing him. Power-hungry, Chiang will make a deal with the Visitors to eliminate his boss and control Los Angeles. However, not all ends well for this character, and that's the most we will say about that.
Born in 1934, this actor has been active since he started working in 1956 at the age of 22. After his appearance on 'V', he was most notable for his role as Senator Hidoshi during the first season of 'Babylon 5' (1993). Aleong has also been involved in music composition and production.
Chris Farber appeared between episodes 9 and 11 of the series. He is Tyler's best friend and yet another collaborator with the Resistance.
Mickey Jones is no longer with us. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, a victim of diabetes after a long career as an actor and a musician. We saw him in films like 'Total Recall' (1990) and 'Tin Cup' (1996), while in the world of music he founded 'The First Edition' with singer Kenny Rogers and played drums with greats like Bob Dylan.
A member of the royal family of Raman, Charles was sent by the leader of the lizards to manage Diana's military operations and kill Mike Donovan and the Resistance.
This Canadian actor worked in the theatre before making the leap to Hollywood in 1980. Besides Charles in 'V,' he also played Zorro in Donald Paonessa's 'Zorro' (1990) and participated in the 1990s Star Trek series.