Spotlight On: Magda Apanowicz

From an early age, Magda Apanowicz knew she wanted to be an actress and, once that decision was made, she made a rapid ascent and took the television world by storm. As a teenager, she first appeared in an episode of the post-apocalyptic series Jeremiah along side Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. She then did a series of other brief appearances in the sci-fi series John Doe, which starred Dominic Purcell and Sprague Grayden, and the films Sweet Lullaby, Riverburn, and The Butterfly Effect, the latter of which starred Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart and Eric Stoltz (her future co-star in the television series Caprica).

Magda Apanowicz stars as Lucy in SyFy's Caprica

She then appeared in a three episode arc in the television series Cold Squad, which starred Tahmoh Penikett and Julie Stewart. With astonishing ease, Magda continued to secure work and worked next on the series The L Word, which starred Jennifer Beals and Mia Kirshner, and the short-lived Bionic Woman, which starred Michelle Ryan and Katee Sackoff, while simultaneously working on the films Holiday Wishes, along side Amber Benson, and Devil’s Diary with Brian Krause.

Then, in 2006, Magda landed her first regular television series playing the role of Alex Young in Renegadepress.com. The show focused on the trials and tribulations of teenagers today and starred Ksenia Solo (who currently plays Natasha on the CW series Life Unexpected).

Moving on quickly, Magda immediately scored a plum role on the teenage sci-fi series Kyle XY, which starred Matt Dallas, Marguerite MacIntyre, and Bruce Thomas. Playing the quirky, but lovable Andy, Magda’s performance as a teenager living with cancer was touching and insightful. She showed with ease the duality of a young girl wanting to live her life carefree and to the fullest, yet burdened by a debilitating disease. Perhaps it was her graceful and gracious portrayal with a hint of mischievous and playfulness that captured the eye of the casting directors for Caprica.

As is evident from her career, the sci-fi realm beckoned early on and made Magda one of its rising stars. While her Caprica co-stars Alessandra Torresani, Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales are more recognizable from the splashy advertising campaign, it is actually Magda portraying Lacy Rand that the viewers closely identify with. Lacy was, after all, the sensible one who did not go through with the plan to escape to Gemenon and then watched in anguish as her best friend died in a terrorist bombing. The audience watched with equal parts horror and fascination when Lacy got that fateful call from her dead best friend – whose persona had been implanted in a first generation Cylon. It is the unique friendship that develops between Lacy and the Cylon version of her friend that captivates and enthralls. It is a credit to Magda that she brings us into a wondrous world of discovery, acceptance and secrecy. Her portrayal is poignant, conflicted and ultimately intriguing — and we cannot stop watching.

Caprica airs Fridays at 10/9c on Syfy.