More Universe Cast Members Announced

Sci Fi Channel has added four cast members for the new original series Stargate Universe.

Justin Louis, David Blue, Brian J. Smith, and Jamil Walker Smith will join Robert Carlyle, who will portray Dr. Nicholas Rush. Production begins next month in Vancouver and the series, produced by MGM, is slated to debut later this year.

Louis will play Col. Everett Young, an experienced Stargate team leader. Col. Young was originally described as the series lead, before the announcement of Carlyle's casting in December, and a big-name star was originally stipulated. The relatively low profile of Louis, an experienced Canadian actor who is a TV and film veteran but not a household name, is further evidence the emphasis has shifted more toward Dr. Rush.

Blue (who's been on Ugly Betty as photographer Cliff St. Paul and Moonlight as techie Logan Griffen) plays Eli Wallace, the slacker/genius.

Brian J. Smith is Lt. Matthew Scott, a junior member of the Stargate team forced into leadership before he's ready. Jamil Walker Smith plays short-tempered Marine Sr. Sgt. Ronald Greer.