Fringe isn’t exactly short on babe material – Anna Torv, Jasika Nicole, Gene..
But this one takes the biscuit.
I don’t know much about Meghan Markle – apparently she was in CW’s 902104815162342, so it’s not wonder I don’t know much about her. Here’s what The Hollywood Reporter have to say on her new found role:
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Meghan Markle has joined the cast of Fox’s sci-fi drama “Fringe” in a recurring role as an attractive, brash and quick-witted junior FBI agent.
Source: THR
Yikes, that sounds like Astrid’s role – or what was supposed to be Astrid’s role! I guess that means more Lab time for Agent Farnsworth?
Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing Meghan Markle on the show – I just hope her acting ability matches her physical.
Nice looking out, JJ! 
UPDATE 2: Meghan will play Agent Jessop.
UPDATE: You can find out more about Meghan here – including some photos. Go on, it’s only a click away. (more photos here).
Trivia - apparently she held box 24 on “Deal Or No Deal”. You learn something new every day.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
My god. What a tacky look!
Here’s a better pic:
Let’s see Charlie Francis do THAT!
I don’t think anyone can argue against that!
We female viewers would still rather see Charlie. . . is Fringe going to become a tabloid paper now?
I hope it doesn’t. This is definitely an attempt to ‘spice’ things up a little bit, although I’m trying not to judge her based on her looks (others have written her off already) – I’m hoping she’s fantastic actress or at least someone with huge potential. (That would make her an awesome package and a great casting choice). I guess that’s the problem with casting relative ‘unknowns’, it’s difficult to know how good they are until they appear on the show.
That said, if she can’t act then I imagine there will be an outcry. Though Kirk Acevedo didn’t quite reach the heights I thought he would, he was a solid performer and a talented actor.
There is a worry that the powers that be (whether that’s Fox or BR) are making the show too commercial (if there’s such a thing for a TV show that NEEDS to gain/retain viewers) – first there was the Leonard Nimoy stunt (I still have my doubts about how that went down), and now this – although clearly I’m not complaining because for all we know she might be able to deliver the goods alongside looking pretty.
Though their judgement has been good with all the Observer ‘viral’ ploys, so I guess it’s a balancing act.
However, I like that they are addressing the male/female balance on the show – it looks like Agent Jessop will be active in the field and not just wheeled out whenever Massive Dynamic are mentioned, or stuck behind a lab desk all episode. Olivia could do with a female counter-balance who is not called Rachel.
Speaking of Rachel – if there was no Ella would there even be a Rachel? Hmm.. The actress is good (I feel), but man, do they need to flesh that character out!
I won’t cast aspersions on her acting ability because I’ve never seen or heard tell of her. I checked her IMDB page and I just don’t watch the few shows she’s been on. Who knows, maybe she rocked on “Knight Rider”?
As far as how it will affect “Fringe”, personally I don’t think that adding a pretty face by itself makes a show more interesting. I never took a liking to Nadia in “Alias” and certainly never bought her as Syd’s sister.
If a show replaces a character, I like to think they a plan for that character that will convince the viewer (with the fullness of time) that the move was in the best interest of the story they are trying to tell, and that any simmering anger over the dismissal of a regular cast member will be replaced with an appreciation of the incoming character.
The fact that Charlie was a ‘good’ character but not really a pivotal character should make the transition go fairly smoothly, providing that MM brings something to the table besides those lovely halogens.
Right on – it’s unfair to suggest that she can’t act because she’s pretty or because she held up a box on “Deal Or No Deal” – people have to eat after all. I’m sure we’ve all done jobs to get to where we wanna be.
As you point out, as long as the powers that be truely have a plan for the character and they believe in MM’s ability as an actress, then I’m all for Agent Jessop. Will any of us like the character? Who knows, but I agree that you have to think they are trying to facilitate a specfic story with her introduction.
A possible comparison could be Evangeline Lilly – a relative unknown who was doing phone sex ads before getting her ‘big break’ on “L O S T”. Whilst Lilly isn’t my favorite actress in the world, she was pretty good in season 1 (the excellent writing helped) and she’s grown as an actress (for the most part).
I’m willing to see what MM can do – everyone deserves an opportunity and I hope she takes it (with her fine self
).
…Well…I took one look at Lena Headey in “Sarah Connors” and made the snap decision that she couldn’t possibly work, she was WAY too good looking. Ten minutes later, I knew she was perfect for the role. I would watch the show just to see her. So now we have…what’s her name?…Mehgan Markle, yes…as Agent Jessop. And now I guess I better watch her work before I tee off, but I gotta tell ya, she’s going to have to prove herself to me. We have all the female flash we need with Anna Torv who is perfectly balanced with Jasika Nicole. Right now, I’m nervous, VERY nervous about this casting decision. But then, as I’ve said before, JJ Abrams is a casting master, so I better keep it zipped until after the first few eps.
That’s an nice example FW.
As you say, the proof will be in the pudding. MM deserves a chance – some times people (myself included) are all too quick to judge.
I do think that people are still hurting over KA’s dismissal, but for whatever reason I don’t think it really worked with his character – even the centric episode (if you will) felt lacking. Maybe it was the writing and perhaps they could have serviced the character more in season 2, but they’ve made the decision and we have to roll with it.
I just hope people don’t hate on MM before she’s even said a line.
I would disagree that AT is “perfectly balanced with JN”. I rate both actresses and love both characters (esp Olivia) but there was not enough interaction or chemistry between Astrid and Olivia last season, imo. Now Olivia and Nina – THAT was a different story. Hopfully MM can bring some of that dynamic to the table.
In terms of prettifying the show – MM’s introduction can’t hurt, as long as she brings ability to the table (like you say) – I don’t want a “Dollhouse” situation. That said, I do hope they manage to give JN more to do next season – she’s been one of the best spokespeople for the show and I think everyone wants her to do well.
As for being worried about the show – I agree there have been A LOT of changes – perhaps more than is public knowledge right now, but as long as Bad Robot still have authority over the main decisions (casting, story, direction, etc), then I think these changes are for the best of the show – which is the most important thing.
“there was not enough interaction or chemistry between Astrid and Olivia last season, imo. Now Olivia and Nina – THAT was a different story. Hopfully MM can bring some of that dynamic to the table.”
The lack of interaction was because of the way the roles were written and the minimal, subordinate role Astrid was given. Adding MM or anyone else won’t change that. I so don’t want Fringe to devolve into a soap opera, any more than tabloid stuff.
And the boobage-type publicity pics of Markle don’t say anything about her acting ability, but perhaps do say something about how BR (or FOX) view her role.
I agree that hiring MM wont necessarily enhance (or otherwise) the chemistry between Olivia and Astrid – my comment was in repsonse to FW’s belief that there was chemistry between Olivia and Astrid last season and that MM’s arrival would destablize this chemistry. (EDIT: my hope is that MM’s Agent Jessop will have better interactions with Olivia than Astrid, and that the writers are working on addressing specific flaws in the first season – though where this leaves Astrid?..)
It’s great to have different perspectives..I just think that perhaps season 1 wasn’t as infallable as we fans make it out to be? Love Fringe as I do, there is SO much room for improvement – I’ve said that all along. I think that it’s encouraging that BR/Fox are seemingly trying to improve certain elements of the show – whether MM will work out or not is yet to be seen, but she deserves a chance, as does the show.
I don’t think Fringe will become “tabloid”, it’s not that kind of show..it’s not “Desperate Housewives”, for example. The hiring of one actress with a healthy cleavage wont ruin the show, imo. I think we have to give them a fair chance because none of us know how well MM can act or how good her character will be writte/catered for – only the powers that be have an inkling, and it’s been proven that if they don’t think something is working, they’ll change it.
As for Markle’s publicity pics, you’re right, they don’t say anything about her acting career – for what it’s worth, neither do the hundreds of pics we see of Joshua Jackson (for example) in various magazines and whatnot. It’s all about promotion and branding..possibly for MM it was also about trying to be recognized. You make a good point about BR’s possible perception of MM, but we have to consider their track-record – they don’t often hire someone because they’re busty. Just look at what a great job they’ve done with Anna Torv, for example – they’ve portrayed her as a realistic FBI agent – she’s believable as someone who’s been thrown into a whirlwind. A lot of other shows would have gone down another route, but “Fringe” has had the self-confidence to let AT act and learn and grow with the show.
It’s interesting thinking back to last year – AT was also a relative unknown (especially in the States). She started the show off slowly, got criticised at the beginning (heavily, I might add), came through it and ended the season as one of the best new actors of the year.
You’re right, of course, we don’t have any idea how she will turn out. Nor what her role will be. I just have been eager to see more of the stars (and Astrid, Nina, etc.) and feel a bit like they are switching focus before we got the lens completely clear on them. I’m interested in the dynamics of Olivia/Peter, Olivia/Walter, Walter/Peter—don’t so much feel like we need to switch to others; that’s the main thing for me, keeping them central. And you know me, I’ve complained my share, so I didn’t think ep 1 was perfect—but I think of it as loyal, constructive crit, and want to see fruition of things promised already.
Yeah, I hear you. I hope that the original characters who we’ve become so invested in are not lost as the lens re-focuses slightly. I have faith that BR know what they’re doing and that they will find better ways to service all of the characters, new and old, in S2.