It hasn't even been a month since Robert Hewitt Wolfe said that he had been dropped from "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda" as the series' developer and co-executive producer. Now, "Andromeda" fans have learned that there will be another departure ... this time, it's an actor.
Seth Howard, Tribune Entertainment's Creative Executive in Charge of Production, confirmed during an official chat at www.andromedatv.com that Brent Stait, who has played the Magog spiritual crewmember Rev Bem, has left the show for personal reasons.
"Brent Stait chose to leave the show for personal reasons," Howard said. "We miss him, and hope that we will be able to play again sometime in the future."
According to Howard, Stait had been having problems with the heavy makeup and prosthetics he wore as part of his character.
"Brent had a severe allergic reaction to the considerable prosthetic, it became unbearable, although he was a serious trooper," Howard said.
No details of when and how Rev Bem will be written out of the show was released during the chat, but Howard hinted that pieces of his character could be distributed among the existing cast rather than pulling in a new actor.
"We miss Rev, and I for one miss that particular quality about him. And although we wouldn't duplicate his character, we can go there in other ways ... keep your eye on Trance."
Of course, Stait isn't the first actor to have to leave a show because of makeup problems. Virginia Hey (Zhaan) left "Farscape" during the third season because of skin complications with her makeup. Ironically, "Andromeda" producers have been working to find some type of guest role for Hey on the show.
Stait's departure does present a grim reminder about Wolfe leaving the show. Tribune Entertainment recently released a statement on the official Web site addressing concerns by fans on what will happen to the show now that Wolfe is gone.
"We appreciate Robert's contribution to 'Andromeda,'" the release said. "The series is highly successful, in part, because of his efforts. However, it is important to note that the development of 'Andromeda' was intially a collective effort of Fireworks, Tribune and the Roddenberry estate, who collected many of Gene's original concepts and shaped them into the vibrant story ideas and scripts that represent the series today. Fireworks and Tribune have been integrally involved in every step of the way, from casting to final execution."
About the Author:
Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha and the entire BlipNetwork. He owns Quantum Global Media Inc., the parent corporation of the BlipNetwork. He's a print journalist by day, and lives in Tampa, Fla.
