Roundup: Sci-Fi Central Casting

Haven--The most annoying thing about Haven beefing up the presence of Dwight Hendrickson, the Troubled resident handyman, ex-Ranger, and town Cleaner is that the man referred to as "WWE Superstar Edge" is actually a good actor, and his role adds a useful and interesting piece to the show's increasingly convoluted storyline. Damn it, I like the guy.

Why would that be annoying? Because he's billed as "WWE Superstar Edge" right there in the opening credits. Not "Edge," but "WWE Superstar Edge," because that's the trademark that WWE owns. His real name is Adam Copeland, but his billing as a recurring character in season 3 of Haven, following four appearances in season 2, doubles as product placement for professional wrestling.

Maybe it shouldn't bug me, much as I hate sponsored or synergistic brand visibility in TV shows. (Haven now airs immediately after WWE Smackdown on Syfy's Friday night schedule.) Is that different from Dwayne Johnson starting out his feature career being billed as "The Rock," the name by which most people knew him at first? Well, Johnson didn't use his name to advertise his wrestling promoters directly; he took a brand name that evolved in one entertainment environment and leveraged it in a new direction. On the other hand, it's not like it's anything new; Bob Hope spent years introducing himself as "Bob for Texaco Hope," and TV actors have been identifying themselves with the corporations that promoted them since Berle and before. After all, the idea that commercial television, whether it's wrestling or sci-fi drama, is, well, commercial is hardly a revelation.

I guess I should get over it, especially since "WWE Superstar Edge," the person, is pretty cool and his character and performance strengthen Haven. (The season 3 premiere, following straight on the climax of season 2, airs Sep. 21, and I'll have a review.) Maybe I just need to re-see his corporation-flogging credit as if it were any consciously abstract stage name; just a string of random words, like "Tone Loc" or "Yahoo Serious." (For Edge's take on his performances for WWE, here's this interview.)

This season's previously announced guest stars on Haven include Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Bree Williamson (Gossip Girl, One Life to Live), Dorian Missick (Southland, The Cape), Kate Kelton (Harold and Kumar, American Psycho 2), Nolan North (Uncharted video game series, Pretty Little Liars), and Claudia Black (Farscape, Stargate SG-1).

Defiance--Emmy-winning actress Brittany Allen (All My Children) has been cast in a recurring role in Syfy's upcoming series Defiance. Allen will play Tirra, a troubled employee of the town madam, Kenya (Mia Kirshner). When she and Kenya are abducted as a result of Tirra's dangerous inclinations, the two build an unlikely bond as they are launched into a terrifying fight for survival in alien badlands.

Warehouse 13--Lindsay Wagner will make another of her periodic visits to Warehouse 13 this week as Dr. Vanessa Calder, in which Vanessa and Artie's evolving romance involves them in new danger.

Says executive producer Jack Kenny: "The warm and charming Lindsay Wagner returns once again to Artie's life and heart, only to have Alice--who has escaped from Lewis Carroll's mirror--turn their magical night on the town into a terror-filled chase that forever alters their relationship." This is where I say "I hate it when that happens," right?

Other previously announced guest stars for season 4 of W13 include Laura Innes, Sam Huntington, Kate Mulgrew, Brent Spiner, Rene Auberjonois, and Jeri Ryan (dare we hope, alongside Kate Mulgrew?).

Tags: WWE Superstar Edge, Haven, Defiance, Warehouse 13 Follow me on Twitter  |  Follow me on Facebook