EW.com
J.J. Abrams and Co. are on the hunt for a fortysomething actress to play…
Walter’s wife! She’s described as being strong (yet broken), intelligent, attractive, likable, lovely and extremely versatile. Possible recurring.
ACD recommends: If they go younger, Gillian Anderson! If they go older, Jean Smart!
Got a casting tip of your own? Post it below!
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Comments (1-15) of 155 Add your comment
1. The mom from Silver Spoons
2. The mom from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
3. Hilary from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Forgot the best choice – Hallie Todd from Lizzie Mcguire and she was Lal (Data’s daughter) from Star Trek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved Hallie Todd as Jo McGuire. She would be perfect for this role.
I second Lal’s return to tv.
If you want Star Trek TNG why not Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi). Peter Bishop said that his mom taught him a greek saying – Marina looks like she could be greek. GO COUNSELOR TROI!!!
Hallie Todd would be the best choice – she is not too well known and that helps the believability of her character. Gillian Anderson would overshadow the character and all we would think is “wow, its Scully!”
People get a clue. Its Peter’s mother. Peter is 28 years old. They have to at least get someone who is in their fifties if they are going to pull that off. Gillian Anderson is way to young for to be Peter’s mother. late forties I can see, but young Gillian Anderson 40s. Hell NO!!!
It’s likely going to be a flashback scene if they want someone 40- something. Isn’t Peter’s mom dead?
So Gillian wouldn’t be too young… and she is over 40. But I agree, I would only be thinking, “it’s Scully!” The Martina (Deanna Troi) suggestion was great– I was thinking of her, too, if you want to pick someone from Star Trek. I don’t think it should be a blond actress, but if it was, that might explain why Peter likes Olivia and her sister- both blonds– reminds him of his mom… LOL!
I don’t know why Fringe is so popular and Dollhouse wasn’t? Isn’t it the same fan base watching these shows?
that’s so awesome!
@Johnny there were TWO moms from Fresh Prince. Which one are you talking about?
The second mom, but after thinking about it, Hallie Todd would be by far the best choice – right age, sci fi experience, good actress, a little nerdy but still looks tough – not a wallflower
Jean Smart would be a great choice.
Gillian Anderson needs to return to my television!!
Hear Hear!
THIS!!!!!
As much as I love Gillian Anderson, I think she’s just a bit too young for the role.
Then again, maybe I’m wrong.
Gillian Anderson is 41. But she would be too distracting for this part.
I think the original poster meant too young to be Peter’s mom.
You’re right. The whole time I would just keep thinking ‘Scully’s on Fringe’ not good.
Jean Smart would be great
Is Nimoy too distracting? Anderson is a good enough actress that she should be able to sell the character.
Is she also Joshua Jackson’s character’s mother? Or at least the Peter from this “reality.” I’ve lost track of the mythology.
If so, Gillian Anderson is definitely too young. If we’re sticking with sci fi faves, how about Mary McDonnell? Kate Mulgrew? I’d kind of love Olivia Williams if Dollhouse gets cancelled. Carrie Anne Moss would be fabulous, but a little too young. Sela Ward or Susanna Thompson?
Aren’t almost all of them too young to be the mother of a 30-something? Kate Mulgrew might be good. Olivia, Sela and Susanna are too young looking, I think.
SELA WARD is exactly who I was thinking!
(She’s 53, btw.)
Yeah, Carrie Anne is only 42 and Olivia is 41, but Mary is 57, Kate is 54, Sela is 53, and Susanna is 51. In the age range for the mother of a 30ish Joshua Jackson.
Our universe Walter is alive and his wife and our Peter are dead. In the other universe, it’s been hinted that other!Walter (and now other!wife) are very much alive, and we know that ‘other Peter’ is currently believed by nearly everyone to be *our Peter*.
they have never said that Peter’s our universe mother is dead. Peter specifically said that she is gone. Not Dead. We don’t know if his mother is dead or not.
Sela Ward or Jean Smart!
Maybe it’s for a flashback? If that’s the case, then she wouldn’t be too young.
I think Delta Burke or Annie Potts if we’re looking for a “Designing Woman”
Would loooove Gillian Anderson as Walter’s wife. She’s so calm compared to Walter’s crazy.
Gillian Anderson! Let her play a wing nut. It would be such a homage to the X-Files, which are in short supply on television these days.
Amanda Plummer a.k.a honey-bunny from pulp fiction she is versatile and can do crazy all at the same time
Michelle Forbes
Wish I’d thought of that!
Would this also be Peter’s mother? If so, I think they should skew a little older than 40something since I think Peter is suppose to be in his early 30s.
Nana Visitor…
Darn, wish I’d thought of that! (With apologies to TheObserver)
Gillian Anderson is too young to be Walter’s wife. I like Jean Smart though. She’s a great choice.
Whoopie Goldberg!! LOL