Nick Lewis as
EVAN HAVEN
EVAN HAVEN is the middle child in the Haven brood. He has spent his life trying to prove to his father that he is worthy of running Empire, though he has long been living in his brother Thomas's shadow. For years he has loved his best friend Marin Lively, but fear of losing her friendship has prevented him from sharing his feelings. Now that it appears that Thomas and Marin are over forever, will Evan finally land the girl of his dreams?
Nick Lewis recently moved to New York from Chicago where he worked with the TONY Award-Winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Writers' Theatre, the side project, and WBEZ, among others. Since arriving in New York, Nick has appeared in the short films Solstice 21 and The Reformation and has worked with the Intentional Theatre Group and Ars Nova. Recent shows include Never/Cracked (named Outstanding Production of a Special Event at The Midtown International Theatre Festival), An American Werewolf in Equus, and Mimi at the 44th Parallel.
Kate Forsatz as
MARIN LIVELY
MARIN LIVELY was daddy's little girl—until his death. Her mother, Colleen raised her alone and grew somewhat resentful that motherhood robbed her of her career as an actress. Colleen is living out her dreams now through Marin's little sister Lucy, who is a film star.
Marin grew up alongside the Havens. Her best friend has always been Evan Haven, but it is Thomas Haven who she was about to marry ... until he tried to pass his teen lover off as an illegitimate son.
During a brief but successful stint in television production, Marin realized her mother only encouraged her career choice to further promote Lucy's career. This lead to her decision to abruptly leave television and go back to school where she earned her MBA. She currently works in the business world.
Kate Forsatz, originally from New Jersey, Kate has appeared in projects in New York and Sydney. Some of her theater credits include: Berry, Manhattan Rep.; Limericks from Undisclosed Locations, Larry Myers Theatre Project; Only You, English Made Simple, RS Productions; Hell Hath No Fury, Newtown Theatre, Sydney. Her film credits include: The Camera's Eye, Unreal, Last Kung Fu Monk, Bedfellows, Beautiful Kid. Kate Forsatz is a graduate of the Maggie Flanigan Studio and works with coaches Rob McCaskill and Ilse Pfeifer.
Visit: www.kateforsatz.com
Ryan Clardy as
CANE HAVEN
CANE HAVEN lives in NYC with his boyfriend Alex. He was cut out of the family by Cubbie after coming out. Cane is now a private detective struggling to make his relationship work while Alex is struggling as the owner of a fledgling bar and a growing alcohol problem. Cane had not been home for many years when he recently returned to Long Island to investigate his parents' disappearance. When his parents reappeared and his brother Thomas went up the river, Cane returned to Manhattan to Alex ... with someone in tow.
Ryan Clardy (nominated for "Best Performance by a Lead Actor" Indie Soap Award for Empire) is a New York based tv, theatre, and film actor. Most recently he appeared on One Life To Live chasing cars and bungling investigations as a Seattle Cop, Lt. Hicks. Some of his theatre credits include Scandalous People (NY Fringe 2009); David Mamet's premiere adaptation of Voysey Inheritance (Kansas City Rep); I Do, I Do (Bay Theatre); A Man's a Man (Arena Stage); Floyd Collins & Snapshot (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Running & Galileo (Milk Can Theatre); How to Succeed..., Sunday in the Park with George, Ragtime, & Comic Potential (Heritage Repertory); and Funny Girl & Miss Saigon (Seaside Theatre).
His film work includes a lead in indie film Turkey Day and roles in the Language Learning Project for Reader’s Digest and short film Knock Knock. He earned his BA in Acting and Directing from the University of Virginia and worked toward an MFA at the University of Missouri: Kansas City.
Visit: www.ryanclardy.com
Fabio Taliercio as
ALEX RUSSO
ALEX RUSSO has been Cane Haven's boyfriend for the past three years. In the time they've been together, Alex and Cane have both launched their own businesses, Cane's detective agency and Alex's bar. Recently, Alex's bar hasn't been doing so well, which has caused friction between Alex and Cane. Alex has also been drinking more than usual and Cane has been nagging more than usual. Despite this, the two genuinely love one another and are determined to make their relationship a happy and lasting one.
Fabio Taliercio is a NYC native and multi-talented performer since he was a child. He attended Brooklyn College, with a major in Theatre Arts; studied and performed in classical music and opera; and freelances as a DJ and model. Recent & current credits include: Theatre: Tony & Dominic in Tony & Tina's Wedding, Allessandro/Sam in Mother Loves Her Boys (Medicine Show Theatre), Brandon in Kate's Dilemma (Shetler Studio), Fabritio Caroso in Balletto (Cunningham Studio), Roger in Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Heights Players), Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (Woman Seeking); Musical Theatre: Macheath in ThreePenny Opera, Lancelot in Camelot (Heights Players); Film: Playboy in Dead Hollywood Blondes (Deidre McGill), James in Fragile (Dir. Kevin Kuo); Television: As The World Turns (CBS), The Electric Company (PBS). Most notably, Fabio has been featured in the 2009 national WebMD commercial campaign.
Visit: www.fabiotaliercio.com
Annalisa Derr as
KATHERINE VALENTINE
KATHERINE VALENTINE'S childhood was spent raised by her now-deceased mother, who was the former maid for Cubbie and Sandra Haven. At 17, when Katherine's mother died, the Havens took her in as their maid. Though Sandra has often been hot and cold with her, Katherine respects her and is thankful for her for taking her in. Cubbie has always been kind to Katherine and she is fond of him in return. Though Katherine has her own set of ambitions, she is living fairly comfortable in the Haven mansion and her other aspirations are currently somewhat stalled.
Katherine has no idea that her biological father is Cubbie Haven. And Sandra Haven plans to keep it that way.
Annalisa Derr attended LAByrinth Theater's Master Class, has her BA in theatre from Willamette University, and has specialized training in Commedia del'Arte from Accademia del'Arte in Italy.
She performs both in front of the camera and on stage, with over 20 stage credits under her belt. She loves experimental/physically based theater, and is a member of Seattle based Nebunele Theater. Other passions include: singing, tango, traveling, making cappuccinos.
Tina Sloan as
THEODORA GRANT HAVEN
THEODORA GRANT HAVEN is the daughter of West Coast publishing legend Theodore Grant. She is also the widow of East Coast publishing heir/self-made movie star Arthur Haven. While she and Arthur shared a somewhat tumultuous romance, she was shocked and humiliated to read in Empire that Arthur fathered two sons with her sister-in-law. Now, Theodora is taking what money she has left from her various inheritances along with her powerful name to New York to get revenge on Sandra and Cubbie Haven for making a fool of her publicly. Theodora Grant Haven always gets the last word.
Tina joins Empire following an incredible 26 year run on GUIDING LIGHT as Lillian. She has just completed two movies HAPPY NEW YEAR (playing Grace the mother of a badly wounded Iraqi war vet) and BLACK SWAN with Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder where she plays a society woman. Both of these films will come out in the fall. She is now performing a play she co-wrote called CHANGING SHOES and also has a book called CHANGING SHOES coming out in September 2010 from Penguin. She can currently be seen as Katherine on the web soap VENICE.
Richard Flight as
CUBBIE HAVEN
CUBBIE HAVEN is the second born son to the powerful Long Island publishing Havens. Cubbie’s father ran a society magazine, Empire, in one of the wealthiest Long Island neighborhoods. Cubbie’s older brother, Arthur, had little interest in Empire, and Cubbie saw how that disheartened their father who desired that his first born son would take over his business.
Cubbie went to school at Harvard where he met both his future wife Sandra and a lifelong friend and rival, Irving Reed. Following college, Cubbie took over Empire and married Sandra and they had three sons, Thomas, Evan, and Cane …
Or so he thought. Cubbie recently learned that Thomas and Evan's biological father is Cubbie's own brother Arthur! Sandra slept with Arthur for revenge after learning Cubbie had an affair with the maid—an affair that produced a child, namely Katherine, Sandra and Cubbie's current maid!
Cubbie raised his boys harshly, the way he was raised. He often pitted Thomas and Evan against one another as rivals, hoping the stronger of the two would win out to run his newspaper. He also had great hopes, at one time, for Cane, but he gave up those hopes around the time he learned Cane was gay.
Past television credits include a recurring role on “One Life to Live” a U/5 on “Guiding Light” and a role in the “Psychic Detectives” on Court TV. This past summer he had roles in two independent feature films—The Sunset Sky and Aversion. Other movie credits include Forgiveness and See Saw. Additionally, he had the lead role in the national infomercial “Teach Me To Trade” and was featured in the national commercial for Osteo-Bi-Flex. Other commercials credits include Connecticare, B2x.com, and Fox Business News Channel. He studies with Caymichael Patten.
Kathryn Neville Browne as
SANDRA HAVEN
SANDRA HAVEN is from a good New England family. She went to Harvard to find a husband and landed the most eligible bachelor there, Cubbie Haven. Sandra and Cubbie have been together ever since, in a loving but volatile relationship. Sandra is an extremely strong and independent woman, yet she knows when to let Cubbie think he’s in charge. As far as her children go, she loves them all unconditionally ... for the most part at least.
While Sandra doesn't have a job per se, it is a full time job keeping her husband's illegitimate daughter away from her family's business.
Kathryn Neville Browne thoroughly enjoys being the “Grande Dame” of the Haven Dynasty. New York Stage: A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit); The Women of the Mahabharata (Gandhari). Other Theatrical Credits: For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (Amanda); The Laramie Project (Rebecca Hilliker); A Stye of the Eye (Ma); Adventures in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat). Independent Feature Film Credits: The Scoundrel (Mark Thiedeman, director); Anomaly (Matthew Sheridan, director); Wilted (Rafael de Leon, director); In (Christopher Massi, director); The Blue Knight (Mark Anthony, director); Self 2.0 (Manolo Celi, director); A Life Without Pain (Jonathan Castro, director); Special thanks to Greg, Brian, Steven, Wyatt, and the talented actors of our little Empire family!
Chris Douros as
THOMAS HAVEN
THOMAS HAVEN is currently serving time in prison for statutory rape after an affair he had with Jake Harper, a then fifteen-year-old prostitute who he tried to pass off as his son. His engagement to long term girlfriend Marin Lively abruptly ended when she walked in on Thomas and Jake in a very compromising position... namely doggie-style.
Though he is incarcerated, Thomas still owns 50% of Empire, the society magazine his grandfather created which he successfully transformed into a modern day tabloid.
Chris Douros has worked as a worked as an actor in both New York and Tokyo. In 2009 he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Long Island International Film Expo. He also co-starred in Nu-Yo-Ka-No Eikaiwai-jutsu. A thirteen episode mini-series shot in New York and aired in Japan on the NHK network.
Also, visit www.chrisdouros.com.
Toby Levin as
JAKE HARPER
JAKE HARPER is now 16. His life as a prostitute on Long Island was so last year. Jake is moving on to bigger and better things in NYC. If only he could stop crushing on older men!
Toby Levin is a graduate of Bennington College where he appeared in many productions, including In the Heart of America by Naomi Wallace and Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind. Recent credits include The Taming of the Shrew at the EndTimes Undergound Theatre, The Seed, winner Best Play in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, Summer ‘08, and numerous student films.
Orlagh Cassidy as
COLLEEN LIVELY
COLLEEN LIVELY was once a promising young actress who traded fame for love with a popular politician. When her husband died, she was left to care for their daughter Marin. She was a good mother, for a time, but she was also resentful of her daughter's youth and beauty. When she found herself pregnant again sixteen years ago, she vowed to do things differently. And she did. Entering her daughter Lucy into the pageant world very early on. From pageants to agents to movies to parties, Colleen has managed Lucy's life and career very carefully. Nearly every night of the week, Colleen can be found out boozing it up with Lucy. Her golden rule is: it's only worth it if you make the papers!
Orlagh Cassidy is thrilled to join the cast of ‘Empire’ after her eleven year run as Doris Wolfe on CBS’ The Guiding Light.
Ms. Cassidy has appeared on Broadway and Off Broadway, most notably in Present Laughter with Frank Langella and The Field at The Irish Rep , which earned her a Drama Desk Nomination. Her television appearances include, “Sex and The City”, “Law and Order”, “Law and Order S.V.U.”, and “Criminal Intent”. Film credits include “Spinning Into Butter”, “Definitely Maybe”, “Motherhood” and “Calling It Quits”. She has recorded many audiobooks and television and radio commercials.
Afton Boggiano as
LUCY LIVELY
LUCY LIVELY has been a star all her life. She knows nothing else, and frankly doesn't want to. Deep down, though, lies the softer side of Lucy....probably. Hey, don't hate.
Afton Boggiano is a native New Yorker with stars in her eyes from a very early age. In her High School years she trained with Bert Michaels as a triple threat at the Long Island HS of Performing Arts. At this time she appeared in community shows and also won the National Arts Competition her Sr. year for Musical Theater. Upon graduation with a BFA from Montlcair State University, Afton found herself in high demand.
She did shows for the Michael Chekov Theater Company, and independent films of all different types. She acted in commercials for ikeepsafe.com, NintendoDS, and Clearisil.
She appeared on TV featured briefly on CW's Gossip Girl and the Tyra Show; and Discovery! Channel's Popular Science: Future of.
Afton is eager, excited, and animated. She's a homerun! Much of her recent training has been developed under the guidance of Susan Batson and the teaching staff at Black Nexxus Inc. She is delighted at the success of Empire's first season and dedicates her performance of Lucy to Greg Turner for getting her involved in the webisode soap opera; and to you all for watching!
Visit: www.aftonboggiano.com
Lise Fisher as
RACHEL STONE
RACHEL STONE probably needs a new career. She's a little burnt out as the office manager at Empire. Frankly, she's sick of all things Haven. Rachel can be a little off-putting when you first meet her, due to her sharp wit and sarcastic tongue, but underneath all that sarcasm and sass lies a big heart.
Lise Fisher is a dynamic actor and writer born and bred in New York. Her most recent film credits include principal roles in the Independent feature film ‘Insidious’ which just won the NYIFF best director award this fall and ‘Daft Queens’, as well as starring in two web series ‘3X Harder’ and ‘Bounty Warz’ in conjunction with Troopers Touch Films and Action Scene Combat productions. In addition to film Lise has also had a love for the theatre all her life taking to the stage as early as 5 years old in church productions. She’s performed on several New York stages, even having the pleasure to perform at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Her most recent Theatre credits include playing the role of Desdemona in Othello at Theater Vision, Sex, Lies and Sometimes Love with the Michael Chekhov Theatre Co, and The Illusion in the Wonderland One Act festival. Lise is thrilled to join the Empire family and with the opportunity to explore this delicious new role.
Christian Barber as
RODNEY DILLON
RODNEY DILLON is Cane's best friend. A cop at the local police department in Long Island, Rodney is an upstanding and loyal man. His nights off may be spent getting a beer with Cane in the city or hanging out with his new girlfriend at her place with a nice glass of wine... or even a cheap glass of wine as long as the company is good.
Christian is from the Bronx, NY. He can be seen in the upcoming urban web series 'Six of One' directed by Dwayne Henry and produced by Andre Wilson, as well the post production Iraq war veteran film 'Happy New Year' starring Michael Cuomo. In addition to his recent film work he has also performed in the drama 'Raw' at the Actors's Playhouse in NYC, and the comedy 'Fallout' at the Secret Theatre in Queens. Christian is also a martial arts practitioner and studies at Anderson's Martial Arts Academy in NYC. Christian would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support and the production staff for an opportunity to be a part of this project.
Harlan J Strauss as
IRVING REED
IRVING REED and Cubbie met in college. They were friends and rivals instantly and that relationship continues today. Irving is ruthless in his career as a high powered attorney. He is currently married to his second wife, a young former stripper named Kinky.
Harlan J Strauss has entered the acting world with a strong background in international negotiations, diplomacy, and legal affairs. During his time as a senior adviser to the last several Secretaries of Defense, he negotiated more than 20 international treaties and agreements. As a character actor, he has been sought after for roles as executive, government official, doctor, professor in more than 35 films over the last two years. More recently he has played the lead role (Harry Caul) in a remake of FF Coppola's 1974 classic The Conversation. Other credits include the CMJ award-winning The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch; the Valet in Sartre's No Exit; the US President in the musical Opening Night of the Living Dead; and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Harlan studied at the Stella Adler School of Acting, and privately with Ron Burrus and Bill Hopkins.
Visit his website: www.harlanjstrauss.com
Chris J Handley as
LANCE
LANCE is Theodora Haven's lackey. Lance is ambiguous and sycophantish. To him, Theodora is a supreme sort of being and he will do everything he can to keep her happy.
Chris is excited to join the Empire family this season. His stage credits include The Producers (Leo Bloom), Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius), She Loves Me (Georg), The Wizard of Oz (Lion), Lucky Stiff (Harry), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), The Robber Bridegroom (Goat), Romeo and Juliet (Nurse/Tybalt), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown).
He received Buffalo's ARTIE nomination twice, for Jimmy in Reefer Madness and Booth in Assassins. He has also been lucky enough to create roles in the new musical Mating Habits of the Urban Mammal (as Gary, a neurotic greeting card writer), and as young Jack Benny in The Raconteurs. He is currently developing his own webseries (which will not steal storylines from Empire).
Visit his website: www.chrisjhandley.com