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Hi Paul

As SOL was original and new to potential buyers, I had to use known 'sci-fi names' in order to initially attract buyers to the series, otherwise I would have used as many of the original cast (from the 88-90 series).
My main target audience was going to be Dr. Who fans who had (at that time) 6 BBV releases a year, and my intention was to release a CD on the months that BBV didn't. However, shortly after the release of Genesis (in April 1999), 'Dr Who with 'logo'' etc was released using original Who actors and the releases have been increasing since, thus making Dr. Who actors no longer 'a pull'. Luckily I'd also decided to use 'Blake's Seven' actors, and there are many B7 fans of SOL too.
There didn't seem much response from 'Red Dwarf' and 'Tomorrow People' fandom, so actors from these shows didn't seem to help pull in punters. I think they are very different types of fans, plus TP doesn't have a big following.

However, after over 4 years, SOL stands on it's own two feet now and doesn't need the 'star names' to make people buy it, which is why the number of guest stars has been reduced.

Apart from the character of 'Cilla' who was going to be originally portrayed by Jacqueline Pearce (who had to pull out because of a theatre run), all the characters were played by the first actors that I asked.

Nick Courtney loves the character of Turnidus, because it's so unlike anything he has played before. He, like Turnidus, is also a pacifist, so identifies with that side of his character. Nick is also a very funny, man and understands the humour of SOL, which is vital when performing for it!

Cilla was written originally with then intention of being played 'camper', so her sarcastic comments were more cheeky than rude. However Norman's dour interpretation in SOL1 gave her a new grumpy edge, and when Cilla needed to be reintroduced in SOL3, I could think of no one better than Anna, who has such a distinctive voice, and plays grumpy very well. I think this works well now because you do need the contrasts between the crew:
happy (Turnidus)
straight (Gamak)
camp (MDH/Hywel/The Major)
pathos posh (Yztabub)
pathos cockney (Frag)
feisty mental (Cindy)
feisty physical (Mrs. Blubber)
sisnister (Snyder)
grey power (Mydas/Violet)
cockney comedy (Caelys)

I think Cilla has developed over the CDs to become a reliable crew member. Up to SOL5, you never quite knew whose side she was on - but from SOL6 onwards she becomes firmly part of the 'gang'. I'm also pleased with the way her friendship with Gamak has developed - he is so straight and by the rules and she doesn't care (re Chickenskin's demise) and they both respect this trait in each other.

What other pairings, do people like in SOL?