The beloved sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica that debuted on Syfy back in 2003 introduced a whole new generation to the clash of human survivors vs. Cylons, and now a new version of Battlestar is on the way back courtesy of Peacock. The NBCUniversal streaming service announced a new Battlestar Galactica series well before Peacock itself launched, but details have been relatively few and far between. Now, Battlestar breakout star Katee Sackhoff, who played the 2003 - 2009 incarnation of Starbuck, has weighed in on a possible Starbuck appearance in the Peacock series, and her response in actually a good thing.
Katee Sackhoff, who recently made a very big splash on a different sci-fi series, chatted with Variety about Battlestar Galactica as well, and she weighed in on the possibility of making a surprise appearance in the new series, hailing from producer Sam Esmail:
Oh gosh, I have not heard, I haven’t been contacted. It’s an interesting thing, I think there are some people from our world of Battlestar, our take on it who are a little disappointed, but then there were some people from the original who were disappointed when we did it. I got the role when I was 21 years old, it’s been 19 years since I was cast as Starbuck. My career has gone in so many different directions since then, I don’t know if I could even go back and play Starbuck at this point. There was a useful angst to her of a woman who was trying to find herself and her place in the world. I was going through that as well as woman in my early twenties. But as a fan of the mythology of Battlestar Galactica I’m excite to see what Sam can create. If there’s a role for me in it I would absolutely consider it with open arms because he’s so talented. I’m excited for the fans that that world is going to continue.
Although Katee Sackhoff didn't definitively nix the possibility of reprising her role as Starbuck for the new Battlestar, it sounds like BSG fans shouldn't count on seeing her back in action. While the revival being set in the same universe as the previous (although not the original) Battlestar Galactica opens the door for familiar faces to show up, actors returning is far from guaranteed. Plus, Starbuck's fate seems pretty definitive, and Katee Sackhoff today might not be able to play flashback Starbuck.
And honestly, I think the new take on Battlestar Galactica is making the right move in leaving out Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck. I was a fan of the character during Sackhoff's run and wasn't thrilled with her ending, but she's also arguably the most iconic character who came out of the 2003 series, and not just because the first reboot gender-switched her from a man to a woman. If the new Battlestar brought in Starbuck, a lot of the talk would be about Starbuck, and she could overshadow the new characters who will actually anchor the series.
I compare it to what's happening on The Mandalorian this season. Spoilers ahead for The Mandalorian Season 2 so far. Reliable spoilers ahead of Season 2 stated that the second season would bring in Boba Fett (last seen seemingly dying at the end of Return of the Jedi) as well as two memorable characters from Star Wars: The Clone Wars in Ahsoka Tano and Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Kryze. Ever since, a lot of the Mandalorian buzz has been about Ahsoka, and Bo-Katan and Boba Fett to lesser but not insignificant extents.
Mando himself and even Baby Yoda somewhat are being overshadowed by characters from preexisting projects, and that's my least favorite part of Season 2 so far. Peacock's Battlestar could easily avoid the same problem by simply leaving out stars from the previous series. References, Easter eggs, and flashbacks with old footage? Sure, bring them on. Just keep them off-screen. End of The Mandalorian Season 2 spoilers.
All of this said, the wait for the new Battlestar Galactica to arrive on Peacock could still be quite long. The pandemic has changed and significantly slowed the entertainment industry, so production on BSG could be slow-going once it starts. Peacock also axed its first sci-fi original, which may not bode too well for Battlestar. Still, the revival is on the way.
Katee Sackhoff's Battlestar Galactica is no longer available streaming without an account, but the full series is available with a free account on Peacock. You can find her appearance on The Mandalorian streaming on Disney+ now. For more viewing options now and in the coming weeks, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule and our 2021 winter and spring premiere guide.
