Lost New Cast Members Cheered - Cheers & Jeers

Ken Leung, Rebecca Mader, Jeremy Davies and Jeff Fahey by Mario Perez/ABC

Cheers to Lost for finding a quartet of stellar talents to play the "rescuers" — aka "a headcase, a ghostbuster, an anthropologist and a drunk." Jeremy Davies (Faraday) has brought his off-kilter charisma to everything from Saving Private Ryan to Helter Skelter. Ken Leung (Miles) oozed magnetic hostility as Uncle Junior's roomie in The Sopranos and a Chinese army interrogator in HBO's too-little-seen movie Strip Search. Stunning Brit Rebecca Mader (Charlotte) was one of the best things about Fox's unjustly overlooked Justice. And Jeff Fahey (Lapidus) has been a personal fave since the underrated '90s drama The Marshal. They're all stronger actors than, say, Michelle Rodriguez, Rodrigo Santoro, Maggie Grace and Ian Somerhalder. I just hope they last longer.

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Posted by

Bruce Fretts

Feb 14, 2008 11:55 PM

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I agree with you on every point except one... Ian Somerholder is a very good actor.. plus he was adorable to look at. The new people on the island add mystery and suspense. Hooray for Lost!
Posted by bantling14 Feb 15, 2008 8:52 AM Report Abuse

I think it's unfair to say that Maggie and Ian were not strong actors. I think they portrayed their characters very well. They played two young, priviledged siblings, with interesting differences in what they were searching for.
Posted by BlueDahlia77 Feb 15, 2008 10:26 AM Report Abuse

I too agree with your post except for the point made about Ian & Maggie ... I think they are great actors and would love to see more of them in flashbacks. Also, a bit of a spoiler here so beware (see below) ... How ironic is it that the only time we ever see Sayid cry is when a woman he is involved with dies? First, Shannon and now Elsa.
Posted by Shannonm93 Feb 15, 2008 11:09 AM Report Abuse

I had no idea there were so many Ian and Maggie fans out there. Boone and Shannon were so unappealing that I don't miss them at all. I think better actors could have fleshed out the characters more.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 15, 2008 11:19 AM Report Abuse

I agree that these actors are great additions, although I have to agree with others that including Maggie and Ian along side Michelle Rodriguez and Rodrigo Santoro as examples of weaker actors was pretty harsh. Speaking of Maggie, I keep flashing to Shannon when I look at the picture of Charlotte above. There is a similarity in their mouths, I think.
Posted by Splotchie Feb 15, 2008 11:47 AM Report Abuse

Boone and Shannon were spoiled rich kids these new people seem to be older and more fleshed out with agendas. which makes it better for us but different. so take nothing from the other actors they did what they were told pretty well it seems.
Posted by Lore Howard Feb 15, 2008 11:49 AM Report Abuse

Would it have made you feel better if I'd singled out, say, Kiele Sanchez and Cynthia Watros? (Sorry, Dirty Libby fans!)
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 15, 2008 12:01 PM Report Abuse

Bruce -- You get an "agree" from me just for the simple fact that you remember and seem to have liked "The Marshal" as much as I did! --DAN
Posted by DRGarbark Feb 15, 2008 2:52 PM Report Abuse

I'm with you Bruce. Ian was great to look at but he just stood out like a sore thumb among the rest of the cast. And Maggie was painful to watch at times. As for the newbies they are fine actors so far. But Ken Leung's character seems to be pretty "stock" right now. He's just annoying right now. I hope there are more layers to him to be revealed soon.
Posted by Buffy Freak Feb 15, 2008 3:06 PM Report Abuse

I'm going to be really really neurotic and geeky and inform you that "four" was already one of Lost's 'magic numbers.' However, I do agree, the actors are great.
Posted by itsmaddi Feb 15, 2008 3:27 PM Report Abuse

No need to bash the ones who died before in order to praise the newbies, all of whom I like. They were deftly introduced and, thanks to smart writing and good performances, I feel like we already know them as well as we ever got to know any of the "Tailies" (save perhaps for Mr. Eko, who I still miss.) Can't wait to see what we'll find on the boat!
Posted by MiniMarie Feb 15, 2008 3:36 PM Report Abuse

I miss Mr. Eko, too
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 15, 2008 3:39 PM Report Abuse

And honorable mention to Lance Reddick as Abaddon, the guy who visited Hurley in the institution/hired Naomi and the other four. He brings a creepy intensity to Lost that rivals Ben.
Posted by socalj Feb 15, 2008 3:52 PM Report Abuse

I agree about Lance Reddick--see my earlier Cheer: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Cheers-38-Jeers/Cheers-Lost-Finds/800032236#comments
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 15, 2008 4:01 PM Report Abuse

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