ROAR Background Information




Roar debuted as a summer replacement program on FOX back in 1997. It came from the wonderfully unique mind of Sean Cassidy. (Yes, you heard right. The youngest Hardy boy, singer of Da-Doo-Run-Run himself. The guy's got a wicked streak! You don't believe me? Go pick up the new boxed set of his other shortlived masterpiece, American Gothic.)

Roar was shot in Queensland, Australia. Heath had just turned 18 when filming began.

If you'll watch the episodes closely, you will notice a chemistry between Heath and the actress who played Queen Diana. She is Billy Zane's sister, Lisa, and she and Heath had much more chemistry than any of the "love interests" they cast for him. Even though their characters were supposed to despise each other, Heath & Lisa began dating on the set. We have Lisa to thank for giving us Heath here in the U.S. When the show was cancelled, she returned to Los Angeles, and Heath followed.

Unfortunately, Roar was another show that was not appropriately given a chance by the network. After only 8 of its 13 episodes, it was pulled. Most U.S. fans never got to see the remaining 5 episodes until Sci-Fi began re-airing ROAR over 6 years later. Canada did get to see the entire 13 episodes, including a nice behind the scenes special.

Roar has garnered a bit of an underground cult following. For years, fans have signed petitions, written letters, and made message boards to try to get the series released on DVD, but to no avail. It seems Universal and Fox have not yet decided that it would be profitable enough to do so. Therefore, fans have passed around, traded, sold on ebay, downloaded, old VHS copies and VCD copies made from them.

Trivia: The leather wristband was a gift from Vera Farmiga, the actress who played Catlin. Ms. Farmiga is also married to Sebastian Roché, who played Longinous. Apparently, the environment in romantic Queensland was ripe for hooking up. :blush:


(see next thread for plot overview)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Roar Plot Overview

* * * * * SPOILER ALERT * * * * * *


In an Age of Magic, the Greatest Power of All Was Courage.

It's 400 AD. Some unnamed Celtic island is being invaded by the Romans who are trying to conquer the various tribes, uniting them under the reign of the Roman Empire. The tribes are all factioned, having their own Cheiftons or Kings. Connor's dad is the King of his tribe, and his goal in life is to unite all the factioned tribes so that they can band together to fight the Roman onslaught. This of course, makes him a target for the Roman ruler who's trying to get a foothold on the island.

In the Pilot episode, Connor is orphaned. From that point, he needs to decide whether to take on his father's quest, and unite the tribes and send the Roman's packing.

The title of the show refers to "the Roar" — the roar of the land, the roar of the people — a voice that echoes through every living thing and is the power of Life itself. In his quest to unite the tribes, Connor is also striving to find the balance required to feel this Roar.

Conor pulls together a band of ragtag allies, including Tully, a young, charming and cocky teenager who has a knack for getting into trouble; Catlin, a beautiful former slave who has become a strong-willed and fearless fighter; and Fergus, Conor's big-hearted, ebullient protector. The group is counseled by Conor's trusted advisor, Galen, a wizened man who possesses the secrets of magic and power.

Connor's nemisis is a Roman noblewoman who married one of the Island's main Kings. The Roman Queen hates being in this desolate place far from civilization, and has brought as much of Rome with her as she can, including an advisor. Her advisor, Longinous, is the Roman Centurian who thrust the spear in Jesus' side while he was on the cross, and because of it, he has been cursed. He's a doomed immortal and a sorceror, who only wants to be able to die in peace. . . but will settle for power in the meantime.

This is what you find out in the first episode, and need to know in order to understand certain elements of the episodes you will see in the SciFi marathons (which tend to be shown out of order).

Happy viewing.


(see next post for episode guide)