NBC has been prominently featuring Katee Sackhoff  (Battlestar Galactica's Starbuck) as a recurring character in many of their Bionic Woman promos, but secretly a dramatic negotiation has been going on behind the scenes that almost saw Sackhoff walking away from the David Eick helmed remake.

Sackhoff has a pivotal role in the Bionic Woman pilot as Sarah, Jamie Sommers' (Michelle Ryan) bionic sensei, and later bionic nemesis.  Sackhoff's intensity and wit were well received in clips distributed to the electronic press, and NBC seized on Sackhoff's well crafted villainess in promoting the show.


Meanwhile, it seems NBC/Universal were not even in the ballpark when it came to negotiating with Sackhoff, and near the end touting her so heavily in the shows promotional package seemed like it might have been a gamble that wouldn't payoff.

According to Hollywood Reporter's sources, Sackhoff was a no show at the Bionic Woman panel this week because of the deteriorating negotiations.  Her absence was a point of concern amongst the journalists.

One allegation was that Sackhoff, who has become a revered figure in the gay and lesbian community for her Starbuck character, might have boycotted the panel because of the last minute casting of Isaiah Washington in a possible recurring role.   The truth was that Sackhoff had given up hope on signing a deal and was beginning the process of distancing herself from the production.

Apparently the interest in her absence was enough to prompt NBC/Universal to return to the table ready to talk terms because according to Hollywood Reporter a deal was signed with Sackhoff by the end of the day.

Does Sackhoff's signing with Bionic impact her participation in the new season of Battlestar Galactica?  Probably not.  In fact, producer David Eick will be working back and forth between both shows.  Bionic Woman and Battlestar Galactica will both be shot in Vancouver.


- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of IMDB)