Her name isn’t exactly a household one, but something tells me that’s all about to change.
In what reps the first major piece of casting for Lost’s fifth season, sources confirm to me exclusively that Zuleikha Robinson has been tapped to play the pivotal role of Ilana.
Couple things: Before you ask, it’s pronounced Zoo-Lika. And she’s done stuff. Some high-profile stuff. Like Fox’s short-lived New Amsterdam, where she played Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s partner in crime. Prior to that, the London-born actress slaved away as Gaia on HBO’s Rome and, in her first big break, had a regular gig on another ill-fated Fox drama, the X-Files spin-off The Lone Gunmen.
Robinson’s Lost deal calls for her to start off as a recurring player with an option to become a series regular in season 6 (a.k.a. the farewell season).
As I first reported last month, Ilana is described as a European female who possesses great intelligence but who’s also dangerous as all get out. She’s alluring and apparently used to getting her own way.
At the time, EW’s Doc Jensen mused that Ilana "sounds exactly like the kind of lethal lady Sayid would fall for. So I’m wondering if the dashing Iraqi is due for a new love interest, yet another lady whose true motivations will be in question."
Team Darlton’s not commenting on Doc’s theory, or Robinson’s casting for that matter (this radio-silence thing is going to be the death of me!), so I guess we’ll just have to wait until the new season kicks off in (ugh) five long months to see if he’s right. In the meantime, go ahead and weigh in on Lost’s first big season 5 casting and, while you’re at it, feel free to toss out your own Ilana theories.
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I vaguely remember her from Lone Gunman, and I liked her. And its not like Lost has ever been averse to casting people who haven’t ever done anything before. The only other time I’ve ever seen Kate is middle-of-the-night infomercials and I saw Sawyer once on a Sci-Fi original movie about a sabre-tooth tiger.
She also played a major role in the film “The Namesake,” and almost walked away with the movie. Kal Penn couldn’t put up a fight any time she was on screen…and she’s gorgeous to boot.
In the Namesake – who was she? His wife?
I remember her from Rome — she was very fierce and sexual in that show — a very strong character and presence. I expect she’ll be working for Widmore in Europe (maybe one of the people who does his dirty work) I can also see her as a foil for Sayid and/or Ben.
I love her. I definitely remember her from The Lone Gunmen and Rome. Fantastic in both. And she was the cheating wife in The Namesake. She does have a way of stealing the show in whatever she’s in.
so, does this mean New Amsterdam isn’t coming back this fall? too bad, i really liked it.
I liked her in both THE LONE GUNMEN and NEW AMSTERDAM.
Bummer, I actually liked New Amsterdam – they didn’t give it much of a chance with the time slot/choas during the writers strike.
She was a highlight of New Amsterdam. The show was weird and over-wrought, be she did a great job.
Loved her on “Rome” — glad to see that she is coming to “Lost.” And hey, Niobe from “Rome” was on “Bones” last night. Maybe more people will cast performers from this terrific show.
I also loved her on Rome!
Yay Gaia
She was also in the Viggo Mortenson flick Hidalgo.
She was also in the Viggo Mortenson flick Hidalgo.
I loved her in Rome, New Amsterdam, and Hidalgo. Looking forward to seeing her on LOST!
This is the best casting choice since “Lost” signed Elizabet Mitchell to play Juliet. I LOVED Zuleikha Robinson in “The Lone Gunman” series, as well as the one episode she did on “The X-Files.” I just hope the so-called “fans” don’t do a 180 and hate her right off the bat, a la Nikki and Paulo, two characters whom I also liked.
She was spectacular in Rome.
Next to Evangeline Lily and all those other no talents…she’s sooo going to steal that show.
She is gorgeous too.
goodlord…anyone remember her angry sex scene with Pulo in Rome?
hotdamn!
I hope shes Sayid’s new love interest, he needs one! =D lol
So, basically it sounds like J.J. is missing Sydney Bristow. Wonder if she remembers the past 2 years of her existence.
HOW EXCITING! Loved her in Rome and she’s going to make an awesome addition. She and Sayid would make the ultimate power-couple!
I’ll admit I never saw her in Rome, but as for her acting in New Amsterdam – as Bill Walton might say, “she was terrrrrible.” Seriously, she was pretty much unwatchable.
Can you please stop doing this? I don’t want to know stuff like this without having the option to NOT see it.
JB- I watched both shows and while I wouldn’t say she was unwatchable on New Amsterdam I agrre she wasn’t that great on that show. But she was AMAZING on Rome very compelling stuff really.
Fantastic choice! She was wonderful in Rome and she will be a great addition to LOST.
She was smoking hot in The Namesake – I figured that would launch her bigtime. She just has an incredible look. Also liked her in New Amsterdam.
SPOILER- Sawyer dies this season. And it won’t be so good for those hopeless romantics out there. It will be heart-wrenching to see what happens.
This chick looks like Ana Lucia, and shut up Michael Martinello, you don’t know anything about the upcoming season.
Dang I think she might be the female version of Ted McGinley. Every show has ended when she joins the cast!
She looks a lot like Ana Lucia. I saw an episode of New Amsterdam and she was good.