Last week on the hit podcast “To L and Back,” I noted the presence of what seemed to be the fourth Battlestar Galactica actor to appear on Season One of The L Word. “I’ll make a little list on Autostraddle of all the actors who were on both shows,” I promised podcast listeners, naively imagining a list comprising between 7 and 20 actors. How young I was then. How limber.
It turns out that whopping 91 actors appeared in both programs. It also seems like all the L Word actors that weren’t on Battlestar were on Stargate, Supernatural or Smallville. This seems crazier than it is — both shows filmed in Vancouver between the years of 2003 and 2009, and both shared Heike Brandstatter and Corren Mayrs as their Canadian casting directors (they also served as Canadian casting directors for Supernatural and Smallville). They share some shooting locations too — the Waterfall Building used to represent the California Arts Center is also Roslin’s Doctor’s Office in the 2003 mini-series and serves six other purposes throughout Battlestar’s run. The Orpheum Theater, where Shane fights with Veronica Bloom, is the Opera House in Battlestar.
But still, how did nearly the entire Quorum of the Zarek/Roslin Administration end up on The L Word?
If you’re watching The L Word along with the podcast for the first time, skip the explainers underneath each photo of who the character is on The L Word, although I have made them as vague as possible to avoid spoilers.
These are not in any particular order except that the more prominent roles (on either show) are near the front with pictures and the more obscure roles are near the end (mostly in alphabetical order because of how I copied them over from Airtable).
1. Michael Hogan
Irwin Fairbanks // Colonel Tigh
Irwin is Dana’s Dad.
2. Lucy Lawless
Sgt Marybeth Duffy // D’Anna Biers
Sgt Maybeth Duffy investigates an alleged murder in Season Six and the Confession Tapes.
3. Susan Hogan
Sharon Fairbanks // Captain Doyle Franks
That’s right, Dana’s parents were played by two actors who are married in real life!
4. Rekha Sharma
Lori // Tory Foster
Lori is a girl Shane almost hooks up with in a bar in Season One.
5. Simone Bailly
Grace // Shona
Grace dates Max and works with him on OurChart in Season Four of The L Word.
6. Colin Lawrence
David Waters // Lt. Hamish “Skulls” McCall
David is Kit Porter’s son.
7. Nicki Clyne
Delilah // Crewman Specialist Cally Tyrol
Delilah picks up Jenny hitchhiking after her quickie marriage to Tim.
8. Aaron Douglass
Citizen // Chief Galen Tyrol
“Citizen” appears for about 45 seconds outside the CAC in Season One.
9. Ryan Robbins
Bus Stop Man // Charlie Connor
Bette meets Bus Stop Man at the Bus Stop after her silent retreat in Season Four.
10. Judith Maxie
Dr. Wilson // Picon Delegate ![](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Collages7.jpg?resize=1200%2C600)
Dr. Wilson is the doctor supervising Tina’s pregnancy.
11. Lorena Gale
Delores // Elosha
Delores is one of Dana’s doctors in Season Three.
12. Tahmoh Penikett
Sherriff // Helo
The Sherriff rejects Tim’s request to go look for Jenny in Season One.
13. Luciana Carro
Lisa // Louanne “Kat” Katraine
Lisa hooks up with Shane in Season One and again in Season Two.
14. Heather Doerksen
Karen + Waitress + Woman with Clipboard // Sgt. Brandy Harder
Karen is a friend of Jodi’s in Season Four and Clipboard Girl tells Alice she can’t be on Dana’s float at Pride in Season Two.
15. Donnelley Rhodes
Colonel Jon Smythe // Dr. Sherman Cottle ![](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/L-Word-Battlestar4.jpg?resize=1200%2C600)
Jon Smythe works at Tasha’s base in Season Five.
16. Dominic Zamprogna
Greg/Jim // Jammer
Greg plays “Tim” in Jenny’s film, Lez Girls, in Season Five.
17. Tygh Runyan
Gene Feinberg // Private Sykes
Gene dates Jenny in Season One.
18. Veena Sood
Reporter // Quorum Delegate
Reporter interrogates Bette outside the CAC in Season One.
19. Erica Cerra
Prima Ballerina + Uta Refson // Maya
Prima Ballerina has a fling with Francesca in Season One, Uta has a fling with Alice in Season Three.
20. Christina Schild
Allison // Playa Palacios
Allison is a friend of Henry’s who comes over for a party in Season Four.
21. Alana Husband
Marcy // Nurse Sashon
![](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Collages11.jpg?resize=1200%2C600)
Marcy is one of Shane’s three roommates in Season One.
22. Dana Delaney
Senator Barbara Grisham // Sesha Abinell
Senator Barbara Grisham meets Bette at a hearing in Season Three.
23. Chris Shields
Cop // Cpl. Venner
The Cop breaks up Lesbian Oil Wrestling in Season Five.
24. Brad Dryborough
Man on All Fours + Stephen Green // Lt. Louis Hoshi
Stephen Green is arrested in a flashback scene that opens an episode in Season One. The “Man on All Fours” is likely from the Dungeon scene at Pride in Season Two.
25. Don Thompson
Victor // Specialist 3rd Class Anthony Figurski
Victor works at the strip club where Jenny gets a job in Season Two.
26. Alisen Down
Priscilla // Jean Barolay
Priscilla is a woman with a life Veronica Bloom wants to buy the movie rights to in Season Two.
27. Brian Markinson
Aaron // Silas Nash (Battlestar: Blood & Chrome)
Aaron is one of the producers of Lez Girls in Season Five.
28. Jill Teed
Teri // Sgt. Hadrian
Teri appears in a historical flashback at the start of an episode in Season Three.
29. Andrew McIlroy
John James // Jacob Cantrell
John James is Shane’s boss at the hair salon in Season One.
30. Kwesi Ameyaw
Randy // Liner Captain (2003 TV Mini-Series)
Randy coaches the swim team with Tim in Season One.
31. Bruce Davison
Leonard Kroll // Dr. Michael Robert
Leonard is Phyllis’s husband in Seasons Four and Five.
32. Callum Keith Rennie
Danny Wilson // Leoben Conoy
Danny Wilson makes documentaries / a relationship with Dylan in Season Three.
33. Georgia Craig
Becky Haspel + Resident Nurse // Oracle Yolanda Brenn
We meet Becky in Season Three when she and her husband Tim meet up with Jenny and Max for lunch.
34. John Pyper-Ferguson
Michael Angelo // Captain Cole ‘Stinger’ Taylor
Michael Angelo is a friend of Jodi’s we meet at her lakehouse weekend in Season Four.
35. Marilyn Norry
Eve // Reza Chronides
Eve attends a consciousness-raising group at the start of an episode in Season Three.
36. Warren Christie
Leo Herrera // Tarn
Leo works at the CAC in Season Two.
37. Zak Santiago
Oscar // Captain Diaz (Blood & Chrome)
Tina volunteers for Oscar’s social justice organization in Season One.
38. Ty Olson
Jim // Captain Aaron Kelly
Jim is a friend of Henry’s in Season Four.
39. Mike Dopud
First AD // Crewman Specialist Gage
The First AD works for Veronica Bloom in Season Two.
40. Claudette Mink
Marlene // Shevon
Marlene is a friend of Henry’s in Season Three.
41. Biski Gugushe
Protestor // Reporter Sekou Hamilton
Biski was a protestor outside the CAC in Season One.
42. Alonso Oyarzun
Eduardo // Crewman Specialist Socinus
Eduardo works at the Grocery Store with Jenny in the Pilot.
43. Aaron Pearl
Lieutenant Finnerty // Ensign Abel Thornton
Lieutenant Finnerty worked at Tasha’s base in Season Five.
44. Aaron Brooks
Redneck Boy #1 // Mr. Buckminster
Aaron Brooks was in a pre-episode flashback montage in Season Two.
45. Adrian Holmes
Duane // Specialist Parr
Duane works for Slim Daddy in Season One.
46. Alain Chanoine
Hunky Guy // Marine Reb
“Hunky Guy” is at the club in Season Six.
47. Alison Matthews
Betty + Associate Producer // Karen Fallbrook
48. Barclay Hope
Bert Guber // Transport Pilot
49. Benjamin Ayres
Lorenzo // Lt. George ‘Catman’ Birch
Lorenzo is a “Senior VP” who Jenny and Tina meet with about “Lez Girls” in Season Four.
50. Brent Stait
Bob // Mason
Bob is the stepfather of the girl Tina and Bette want to adopt a baby from in Season Six.
51. Camille Atebe
T + Cute Girl // Sarah Ryan
52. Camille Sullivan
Valerie Goins + Helen // Pilot/Stepchild
Valerie is the girlfriend of Leigh, an artist friend of Bette’s.
53. Chelah Horsdal
Sally + Psychic // Didi Cassidy
Sally is at the consciousness-raising group flashback that opens Season Three .
54. Dan Payne
Policeman // Sean Ellison
Dan pulls Kit over in the Pilot.
55. David Richardson-Peck
Eric Sonnenberg // Naylin Stans
Eric runs the studio where Mark is pitching his documentary in Season Two.
56. Eliza Norbury
Technician // Civvie #2
57. Eric Breker
Doctor // Chu / Gemenon Captain
This character is one of Bette’s Dad’s doctors in Season Two.
58. Erin Karpluk
Susan/Alysse // Woman #1
Susan plays “Alysse” in Lez Girls in Season Five.
59. France Perras
Mrs. Greif // Sandra Roslin
Mrs. Greif is the homophobic parent of a child who Shane’s brother and Pagie’s son go to school with.
60. G. Patrick Currie
Miles // Enzo
61. Gabrielle Rose
Carol // Mrs. King
Carol is on the board of the art department at California University.
62. Georgia Mae Hacche
Luchi Santis // Petty Officer Sian
Luchi auditions for “Lez Girls” in Season Five but loses the part to Nikki.
63. Graeme Duffy
Counter Clerk // Adrien Bauer
64. Gustavo Febres
Drag Queen // Herbalist
Alice is looking for Papi at a club when she runs into the Drag Queen.
65. Holly Elissa
Chandra // Asha Janik
Chandra asks Alice out in Season Three, and Tina and Helena see her at Max’s prom fundraiser.
66. Iris Paluly
Orthodox Woman // Speaking Delegate Dahlia
67. Ivan Cermák
Heterosexual Man // Corporal D. Wallace
68. Jennifer Kitchen
Goombah Girl + Party Animal Lesbian #2 // Marine
69. Jim Shield
Simon Frunn – Bonham // Karma
Simon is approached by Bette and Tina in Season One as a potential sperm donor.
70. Kurt Max Runte
Mysterious Man // Ensign Charles Bellamy
71. Linnea Sharples
Gretchen/Nina // Lt. Emmitt ‘Sweetness’ Jones
Gretchen plays “Nina” in Lez Girls in Season Five.
72. Lori Triolo
Curator + Gallery Worker // Phoebe
73. Malcolm Stewart
Dr. Geld //Marshall Bagot
Dr. Geld is a doctor Max visits to talk about gender reassignment surgery in Season Three.
74. Marci T. House
Grand Marshall // Midwife/Herbalist
75. Mark Houghton
Robin Bookman // Vinson
Robin Bookman tells Bette and Tina he can’t give them sperm because his family has buck teeth in the pilot.
76. Michael Ryan
Senator Horsey //Ray Abinell
Senator Horsey is at a hearing Bette testifies at in Season Three.
77. Michael Tayles
Ewan // Flyboy
Ewan interviews to be Shane and Jenny’s roommate in Season Two.
78. Morris Chapdelaine
Judge // Reporter #2
The Judge is judging a dance contest fundraiser at the LA LGBT Center in Season Six.
79. Nicholas Treeshin
Tom // Sgt. Watkins
This is not the same Tom who dates Max, it’s Tom from a Season Two pre-episode flashback sequence.
80. P.J. Prinsloo
Cycling Dude #3 // Lt. Mei ‘Freaker’ Firelli
81. Patricia Idlette
Technician // Sarah Porter
82. Rachel Hayward
Ellie // Blonde Woman
Ellie is the society wife who Harry sets up with Shane to do her hair in Season One.
83. Ron Selmour
Security Guard // Seaborne
84. Samantha Ferris
Meryl Rothman // Pollux
Meryl hits on Bette at a show in Season Two.
85. Samantha Kaine
Vanessa // Off-Duty Crew Person
Vanessa is the Absolut Vodka representative working on Dana and Tanya’s wedding in Season Two.
86. Stefanie von Pfetten
Kelly // Cpt. Marcia ‘Showboat’ Case
Kelly brings flowers to Shane as part of a set-up to hook up in Season Two.
87. Steve Lawlor
Richard // Marine at Baltar’s + Guard
88. Tamara Lashley
Bisexual Girl // Sue-Shaun
89. Tammy Gillis
Tammy // Marine #2
Tammy attends bisexual speed dating in Season Three.
90. Tammy Hui
Assistant // ECO Lyla ‘Shark’ Ellway
Veronica Bloom’s assistant in Season Two who tries to rope Shane back into Veronica’s world.
91. Winston Rekert
Bon Sweeney // Priest
Max’s Dad in Season Four.
This is… EXACTLY THE KIND OF CONTENT I WANT BUT DIDN’T KNOW I COULD HAVE
Also I live in Vancouver and work for the company that build the Waterfall Building so this feels so super specific to my interests
Exceptional content!
If Dana’s dad is a cylon, then that’s an easy fix to having her resurrected in the reboot.
Also, when is Rekha Sharma getting some kind of lifetime achievement award for her work as TV’s most relentless shady minor character actress.
Excuse me she’s not shady in Dark Angel where she plays Dr Shankar and is one of the good guys!!!
I am speechless. Pulitzer, here you come.
Ahh, I have been ranting about this every time I re-watched either of these favorite shows for years!!!!! Sadly, very few of my friends are as obsessed with either show as I am, so no one could validate my claims. Also, it means that watching BSG just makes me crave The L Word, and vice versa, lol.
I believe they call this a “delicious cycle”.
1. oh my god this is amazing
2. this confirms my suspicion that all things queer are also somehow qualitatively linked to science fiction and space fantasies (see the intro to velvet goldmine)
3. always yes to gals in [space]uniforms
Does Erica Cerra win the award for appearing in the most shows shot in Vancouver? She’s done Eureka, The 100, Deadly Class, Supernatural, Lucifer, iZombie, Smallville, Warehouse 13, Sanctuary, Reaper, L Word, AND Battlestar Galactica. I expect she’ll pop up in Riverdale next season, hopefully playing a lesbian vampire again.
not to mention TWO roles in The L Word which I totally didn’t realize 🤣
RIESE WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
interesting because i really wanted Kat to hook up with Starbuck
Same.
this is so important
super sad dee dualla (kandyse mcclure) never appeared on the l word, honestly
p.s. did they seriously give jodie a friend called Michael Angelo
Oh my g-d
his partner is probably Don Atello
Impressed with the research that went into this article
This is quality content , thank you !
oh…my god
This is a feat, Riese. Just…wow…
I got lost in comparing what role had better hair and how dated that hair is…then my brain helpfully reminded me Bruce Davison (Leonard Kroll // Dr. Michael Robert) once played a real creep of a vampire.
Like a really slimy creep.
Images stop showing up at entry 40, unless they are supposed to?
I came here specifically looking for my root Kara Thrace but stayed because oh my god this whole list is amazing.
This may be the most impressive piece of investigative “Baconing” I have ever learned. You have performed a tremendous public service. Thank you. :-)
I watch Supernatural and just started in on The L Word recently, so this is a good heads up so my brain doesn’t explode. My mind has already been tripping from seeing Brian Krakow and one The Lone Gunmen in the same episode.
OH and I used to watch CSI and that is also one of those shows that many actors have landed a part on. I knew I recognized Lara Perkins from somewhere
So many of them are ALSO in the 100! Uta Refson and Michelangelo are MAJOR characters. Make another post about the actors in common between the L word and the 100!! Hehe.