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Exclusive: 'Lost' Recruits 'New Amsterdam' Alum

Sep 4, 2008, 08:08 AM | by Michael Ausiello

Categories: Lost

Zuleikharobinson_l_2Her 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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gad Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 07:47 AM EST

I respect that, but if it continues I won't be coming back to this site.. http://36-6.cz0.osa.pl

Karsyn Sat, Feb 7, 2009 at 10:54 PM EST

I think that Ilana will totally be related to Anna Lucia Cortes. I mean, she looks just like her, right?

rockergirl39 Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 07:35 PM EST

She is finally getting the exposure she DESERVES!

lala Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 01:36 AM EST

Zuleikha is amazing in everything she has done. So talented and so beautiful

king Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

I found this from the link at http://newfileengine.com/

Jennifer Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 07:19 PM EST

Great choice. She is a fab actress and this might be the perfect series to showcase her talent. I can't wait until January!!

LT Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 06:42 PM EST

she kinda looks like ana lucia

okay, so the commenter @ sawyer did say spoiler alert, my bad


LT Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 06:40 PM EST

michael martinello....why would you even post such a thing @ sawyer dying!!???!! you can at least give out a spoiler shout but in this case, you can just call it a b-s alert...i haven't heard ANYTHING, rumours, gossip, zilch re; sawyer dying.
OMG. He is the BEST character on the show. If he dies, i don't think i'd be able to continue watching...okay, i'd watch but i'd be really sad

thanks for the scoop, ausiello. i got sidetracked by the comments


Jay Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 01:00 PM EST

Wow, she's a hottie!!

Cant wait to see her on the show :)

John Baker Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 11:53 AM EST

Anyone else think that "Ilana" might be a code name for a young Danielle Rousseau? It might be credible if the story is going to go back and forth in time as has been suggested.

M. Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 10:35 AM EST

She looks exactly as the character requires. I wonder who they will cast for Ceasar. I was expecting someone such as good actor as Gary Oldman could be, but maybe is a very high profile for the show. Well, I trust on the producers decision, anyway.

To "T" Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 08:45 AM EST

No, it's Zoo-like-a. That's how she herself pronounced it on the Lone Gunmen DVD commentaries.

Kim Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:27 PM EST

My theory is that she will not be naked on Lost as much as she was on Rome.

Daniel Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 09:40 PM EST

Espero ansioso la proxima edicion de Lost, solo saber que faltan mas de 6 meses no lo soporto.
Saludos a todos desde Argentina.
Daniel

T Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:40 PM EST

zoo-LAY-ka.

Not zoo-lika.

Eric Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

Add me to the list of people demanding that you stop posting this information without warning on the home page. You have a job to do, and I respect that, but if it continues I won't be coming back to this site, and that would suck.

Eric Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 07:01 PM EST

@buckley

Sure, those Screen-Actors-Guild award winning, Golden Globe nominated, Emmy award winning, critically praised "no-talents." I'm sure this person from a couple of episodes of New Amsterdam will blow them all away.

Jay Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 03:38 PM EST

Yeah, she was hot in the Namesake.

Nick Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

She looks a lot like Ana Lucia. I saw an episode of New Amsterdam and she was good.

TedMcGinley Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 02:46 PM EST

Dang I think she might be the female version of Ted McGinley. Every show has ended when she joins the cast!

Rachel Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 02:31 PM EST

This chick looks like Ana Lucia, and shut up Michael Martinello, you don't know anything about the upcoming season.

Michael Martinello Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 02:01 PM EST

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.

DanOregon Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 01:54 PM EST

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.

Miss B Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

Fantastic choice! She was wonderful in Rome and she will be a great addition to LOST.

Erica Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST

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.

Jim Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 12:19 PM EST

Can you please stop doing this? I don't want to know stuff like this without having the option to NOT see it.

JB Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:54 AM EST

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.

erin Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:51 AM EST

HOW EXCITING! Loved her in Rome and she's going to make an awesome addition. She and Sayid would make the ultimate power-couple!

Megan Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:49 AM EST

So, basically it sounds like J.J. is missing Sydney Bristow. Wonder if she remembers the past 2 years of her existence.

Cecilia Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM EST

I hope shes Sayid's new love interest, he needs one! =D lol

scout Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:21 AM EST

goodlord...anyone remember her angry sex scene with Pulo in Rome?
hotdamn!

buckley Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:19 AM EST

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.

Lee Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM EST

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.

Michelle Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:25 AM EST

I loved her in Rome, New Amsterdam, and Hidalgo. Looking forward to seeing her on LOST!

Jim Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:12 AM EST

She was also in the Viggo Mortenson flick Hidalgo.

Jim Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:12 AM EST

She was also in the Viggo Mortenson flick Hidalgo.

HadasBT Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:01 AM EST

I also loved her on Rome!
Yay Gaia

Richelle Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 09:25 AM EST

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.

Amanda B. Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 09:18 AM EST

She was a highlight of New Amsterdam. The show was weird and over-wrought, be she did a great job.

MaryUtah Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 09:17 AM EST

Bummer, I actually liked New Amsterdam - they didn't give it much of a chance with the time slot/choas during the writers strike.

Gre Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 09:17 AM EST

I liked her in both THE LONE GUNMEN and NEW AMSTERDAM.

bummer Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:52 AM EST

so, does this mean New Amsterdam isn't coming back this fall? too bad, i really liked it.

orville Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:52 AM EST

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.

Mary Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:45 AM EST

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.

Anitamargarita Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:38 AM EST

In the Namesake - who was she? His wife?

Jess Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:29 AM EST

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.

my thoughts Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 08:19 AM EST

:( i liked new amsterdam.

James Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 07:41 AM EST

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.


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