There are those who believe that Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, created by Star Trek visionary Roddenberry and Deep Space Nine writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe, is the last, best hope for televised science fiction.
Well before the series even premiered, SPACE.com worked with co-creator Wolfe to give fans regular updates on his progress -- effectively providing a weekly behind-the-scenes interview diary of the birth of a science fiction TV series.
Eventually, the focus expanded from Wolfe to members of the cast and crew.
Sneak Peek: Robert Hewitt Wolfe Talks Andromeda
In the first of what would become a long-running series of interviews, Wolfe describes the series’ innovative "sci-fi verite" approach, an overview of the show's technology and what it’s like to collaborate with Gene Roddenberry across time. (originally published April 28, 2000 -- more than five months before the show premiered)
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All About the Nietzscheans
Wolfe discusses one of the series' most intriguing species: the Nietzscheans.
Military Intelligence
Learn about the science and the psychology behind the show's military edge.
The Face That Launched Andromeda
Wolfe describes one of the biggest characters to hit science fiction, the Andromeda Ascendant, and the actress who'll play her.
Casting the Stars
Wolfe talks about how he cast the new guard of science fiction TV stars.
Effects Update
Find out why Jar Jar Binks and his digital relatives won’t be appearing on the show any time soon, which sci-fi novelist is writing an episode and why pine trees are vitally important in this new TV universe.
Meet Andromeda's Magnificent Seven
Which ancient Greek play influenced the series? Which character is filled with lust? Which is a scrappy survivor? Which character sees herself as a color?
Going Outside Studio Mattes
Wolfe jumps from topic to topic: location shooting, DV diluting, internet computing and convention saluting.
All About the Vedrans
Learn about the Vedrans, the all-important Founders of the Commonwealth. They haven’t made an appearance yet for a very profound reason: the crew hasn’t figured how to make the costumes cheaply enough.
Meet the Perseids
Wolfe talks about the fine art of alien creation and reveals that nobody quite knows what the Perseids -- the administrators of the Systems Commonwealth -- look like yet.
A Walk With the Nightsiders
Learn about the Nightsiders, a race so amoral they could give pointers to Hollywood agents.
All About the Than
Learn about the insectoid race Than-Thre-Kull, group sex and why Hallmark will make bazillions on Than Parent's Day.
Writing and Cosmetics
Wolfe about makeup, the ABCs of writing an episode, why Kevin Sorbo regularly kisses an actor named Sam and why you won’t see many other Trek writers working on the show.
Mid-Season Teaser Roundup
This week, Wolfe had the X-Files production accident on his mind. Other topics ranged from Kevin Sorbo sleeping with a guest star and a surprise bit of stunt casting for sweeps to the end of the first season and the beginning of the second.
Conflict, X-Men and Fans
Wolfe discusses the X-Men, his scripting "signature" and why he won’t be telling his fans to get a life.
Graphics, Not Technobabble
Wolfe talks about writing, pushing the actors and the graphical language he's using on the show.
All About the Title Character
Jim Finn, the show’s visual effects supervisor talks about the then-recently released pictures of the series' title ship, the Andromeda Ascendant.
In Spaceships, Size Matters
Finn describes the show's two main ships, Captain Dylan Hunt’s shiny Andromeda Ascendant and scrappy Captain Beka Valentine’s rust bucket, the Eureka Maru. Evidently size does matter.
Building the Interface of the Future
In the third of three interviews, Finn elaborates on the series' graphics, special effects and cinematic language.
It's Not Easy Being Purple
Laura Bertram plays Trance Gemini, the mysterious purple crewmember on Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda. This is her first-ever celebrity interview.
Laura Bertram Talks Tail
In the second of three interviews, Bertram reminisces about hours in the makeup chair and reveals some tricks she’s learned to do with her tail.
Laura Bertram Is History
In the third of a series of interviews, the actress talks about being a student and an actress at the same time.
Rev Bem Unmasked
Brent Stait, who plays Andromeda’s linguist Rev Bem, arrives at the set by 4:45 every morning for 3 hours of makeup. We talk to the actor behind the mask.
Andromeda Producer Answers Show's Critics
After the show finally hit the airwaves, Robert Hewitt Wolfe returned to talk about press excess, shakedown progress and ratings success.
Andromeda Gets Schizoid
Lexa Doig stars as the computer-generated and flesh-and-blood avatar of the starship Andromeda. She shares what it's like to act alone in a room, her schizophrenic audition, constantly changing costumes and having a body for the first time.
Doing the Andromeda Dance
In the second of two interviews, Doig discusses romantic urges, how she feels about the rest of the crew, studded leather bikini tops, the dreaded "Andromeda Dance" and her covert campaign to sneak in Pinky and the Brain catchphrases.
Meet Andromeda's Mr. Fix-It
Gordon Michael Woolvett plays Seamus Harper, the Andromeda Ascendant’s resident fix-it man. SPACE.com talks to the Canadian actor about the high-strung character that’s holding the ship together while he’s coming apart at the seams.
Harper's Inner Geek
In the second of two interviews, Woolvett talks about getting in touch with his inner geek, using the Web to get a better contract, building hovercrafts for fun and fixing spaceships for profit.
Building the 50th-Century Bridge
Ken Rabehl is a designing man, literally responsible for building the Andromeda from the ground up. He tells SPACE.com about designing the bridge, developing the High Guard aesthetic, building "train world" and his hopes for seeing more of the Commonwealth’s glory days in the second season
Keith Hamilton Cobb Exposed
Andromeda’s big guy talks about Tyr’s Shakespearean facade, why he doesn’t kill the rest of the squad, a relationship with Dylan that’s odd, philosophers that make him nod and generally how it feels to be a galactic sex god.
Commonwealth Couture
Costume designer Patricia Hargrave has a very tough job, putting chain mail on Keith Hamilton Cobb. But for others it could be a dream to measure Kevin Sorbo’s inseam. She explains how to dress (for space battles and Commonwealth-restoring success), how she found a leather look for Beka Valentine and how to stop Rommie’s constantly plunging neckline.
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