Spotlight On: Morena Baccarin

Morena starred with Nathan Fillion in the beloved series Firefly

Morena Baccarin began her on screen career in the 2001 made-for-television film Perfume, where she immediately stood out as a pretty face that men would not only fall head over heels for, but would pledge their lives for – both in film and television. So in 2002, with his usual gifted eye for picking out up and coming talent, Joss Whedon cast the relatively unknown Morena as the multi-talented courtesan/companion in the beloved series Firefly. While the series only lasted 9 episodes before being canceled, word of Morena’s uncommon beauty and deft humor had spread. She was immediately cast in the pilot for the potential television series Still Life alongside a relative newcomer, Jensen Ackles (now known for his work in Supernatural). However, Still Life never made it to air, thereby making Morena available to reprise her role of Inara in the theatrical release of Serenity, the sequel to the Firefly series.

After that Morena joined several Firefly and Angel alum in voice work for the animated series Justice League, portraying Black Canary. She also did a string of television guest star appearances in The O.C., Kitchen Confidential, How I Met Your Mother, Las Vegas, and Stargate SG-1. With her return to the sci-fi/fantasy realm in Stargate SG-1, Morena portrayed Adria, the god-like daughter of Vala. It was another perfect vehicle for her stunning beauty and regal presence.

Then in a fun twist of fate, Morena was cast alongside former Firefly alum Adam Baldwin (now starring in NBC’s Chuck) in the made for television film Sands of Oblivion, where they playing estranged spouses. This was particularly fun for fans who recalled that Adam Baldwin had confessed he had tried to play his character Jayne in Firefly as having a secret crush on Morena’s character, Inara. Thus, it was fitting that they should end up in such poetically appropriate roles.

Morena stars as Anna, leader of the Visitors, in ABC's V.

As soon as she had her fill of the desert sands, Morena landed a regular role in the medical drama series Heartland, co-starring Treat Williams (Everwood) and Kari Matchett (Invasion). Alas, Heartland did not make it past its first season and Morena returned to reprise her role as the villainous Adria in the made for television film Stargate: The Ark of Truth. Afterwards, she also made brief appearances in the Courteney Cox stalkarazzi series Dirt and the dramas Numbers and Medium.

But it would appear the lure of the sci-fi realm proved too strong and, in 2009, Morena was then cast as the face of the new sci-fi series V. Without her familiar raven locks, many did not recognize the beautiful actress from Joss Whedon’s Firefly, but they were captivated all the same. As soon as V premiered, everyone wanted to know who was the actress playing Anna.

It is to Morena’s credit that she not only utilizes her beauty, but she also takes roles that allow her to reflect her startling intelligence and agile wit. Whenever she is on screen, there is a sense that she is hiding something and that her character has much deeper ulterior motives than are revealed. It is this ability to play complex characters that is Morena’s secret weapon. Her looks are deceptively breath-taking, seducing the viewer in the position she wants you. It has proven to be a lethal combination on screen and we are looking forward to falling back beneath her spell now that V has returned.

V airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.