Rrrrrroooaaarrr!

Encore episodes of ROAR were repeated on the following Fridays at 8 PM: August 22, 29 and September 5.

Trivia Corner... ROAR is not the first time Jon Ehrlich, who composes the music for ROAR, and Shaun have worked together. They both appeared in the musical Dangerous Music in Jupiter, Florida. Here's what Jon had to say about Shaun in 1988: "Shaun's presence -- more offstage than on, I think -- has really helped the cast stay together. He's such a pro."

Quote... Just as many people were surprised that the dark, often violent "American Gothic" came from the mind of former TV "Hardy Boy" (Shaun) Cassidy, (Heath) Ledger was hard-pressed to associate him with 'Roar' at first.

"I knew about the 1970s teen-idol thing, mainly from my mom. When she heard he was involved, she took the first plane over to meet him. He's a fun guy, and he really knows what he wants." Indeed, Ledger credits both Cassidy and co-producer Ron Koslow with "stretching their imaginations to develop something that's factual, but also has modern touches." ...Unquote -- Excerpt from TV Times, Contra Costa Times, July 13-19, 1997

The premiere of "Roar" was a great success in the ratings. Why? Because you watched. Thank you all for tuning in, and it's great to read your comments. When I was working on "American Gothic", I often went to the Net for feedback. I'm going to be counting on you to give us your honest opinions of our show, and really appreciate your time. Take care, everybody. Talk to you soon. Shaun Cassidy.

Background

From the creative minds of Shaun Cassidy ("American Gothic") and Ron Koslow ("Beauty and The Beast") comes the event of summer...ROAR.

Set in 400 A.D., this action-adventures series takes viewers to a world whose people possess great courage and strength in a land filled with magic and mythology. A world where one man rises above tragedy to lead his people to freedom from the oppressive Roman Empire that is threatening to enslave the last surviving Celtic land - a place that will eventually come to be known as Ireland. The exquisite setting is filled with fantasy and romance, danger and intrigue.

Roar chronicles the extraordinary life of a reluctant 20-year-old hero named Conor (newcomer Heath Ledger). When Conor's family is brutally murdered by a marauding clan led by King Gar (guest star Leo Taylor) and Queen Diane (Lisa Zane), an emissary of the evil Romans, Conor is forced to take up the mythic sword of his dead father and unite his people in the name of peace.

Conor takes on a band of ragtag allies that includes Tully (Alonzo Greer), a teenage apprentice magician; Catlin (Vera Farmiga), a beautiful former slave; and Fergus (John Saint Ryan), Conor's big-hearted, ebullient protector. This group is held together by Conor's trusted advisor, Galen, a wizened man who possesses the secrets of magic and power that the young warrior must ultimately unlock within himself. Galen's nemesis is Longinus (Sebastian Roche), a supernatural creature whose true essence is that of a 400-year-old man ready to do Diana's evil bidding against Conor and all he stands for.

In this fight for freedom, what's at stake for Conor and his people is 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.

ROAR is a Universal Roar Production in association with Universal Television.

Shaun Cassidy and Ron Koslow are the executive producers.

The Cast

Heath Ledger (Conor) ... This hot newcomer has starred in the Austrailian feature films "Ship to Shore," "Sweat," and "Blackrock." His television work includes the drama series "Bush Patrol" and the sitcom "Corrigan."

His stage appearances include the title role in "Peter Pan", "The Name of the Father", "Bugsy Malone," and "Hamlet."

Lisa Zane (Queen Diana) ... Lisa Zane most recently starred in the FOX series "Profit" as Joanne Meltzer. Her other television credits include "ER", "That's What Friends Are For," "Diagnosis Murder," "L.A. Law" and "Middle Ages."

Her feature film work includes "Unveiled," "Bad Influence," "Freddy's Dead: The Nightmare Ends," "Femme Fatale" and "Gross Anatomy." On stage, she's appeared in "Prelude to a Kiss," "Tamara" and David Mamet's "Cherry Orchard."

John Saint Ryan (Fergus) ... His extensive list of television credits includes "EZ Streets," "General Hospital," "The Burning Zone," "Murder She Wrote," "Babylon 5," "M.A.N.T.I.S." and "seaQuest DSV."

He's appeared in the feature films "Indian Warrior," "CIA II: Target Alexa," "American Cyborg," "Delta Force III" and "Cover Up." His theater work includes "Streetcar Named Desire," "Far From the Maddening Crowd," "Look Back in Anger" and "South Pacific."

Sebastian Roche (Longinus) ... This well-recognized actor has had significant roles in numerous television series such as "Feds," "New York Undercover," "Law and Order," "Swift Justice," "The Hitchhiker" and "Counterstrike."

For feature films, he's appeared in "Elements," "Loungers," "The Chess Player," "Last of the Mohicans," "A Woman's Revenge" and "Farewell, I Love You." On stage, his performances include "The Homecoming," "Arms and the Man," "The Double Inconstancy," "Destiny Changes Horses" and "The Long Road."

Vera Farmiga (Catlin) ... She has appeared on Broadway in "Taking Sides," and off-Broadway in "Second Hand Smoke" and "Good." Her other theater credits include "The Tempest," "The Glass Menagerie," "Two Gentlemen of Verona," "The Connecticut Yankee..." and "The Seagull."

Her television work includes the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "Rose Hill" and sketches on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." She has also appeared in the feature film "Stalker."

Alonzo Greer (Tully) ... For television, Alonzo Greer had a featured role in "Story Behind the Story" and has appeared in several national commercials.

In film, he starred in the independent "The Mission." His stage performances include "Before Sunrise," "Seven," "Of Mice and Men" and "Love Boat on Fantasy Island."

Shaun Cassidy (Creator/Executive Producer) ... Shaun Cassidy's most recent television creation was the highly-acclaimed series "American Gothic." But he's probably best known for his successful career as an actor ("The Hardy Boys," "Breaking Away") and singer, including spending most of 1994 on Broadway starring in the hit musical "Blood Brothers."

He's quickly amassed an extensive list of behind the camera television credits as creator/writer/producer: developed the series "Over My Dead Body"; wrote and produced "Strays," which was the highest rated cable movie of 1991; and wrote "Midnight Run For Your Life," a sequel to the successful Robert DeNiro film.

Cassidy began his career as a recording artist in Europe. He's toured to standing-room-only crowds throughout the country, been awarded a Grammy nomination, and received more than twenty gold and platinum records.

On stage, he starred in Broadway's "Mass Appeal," the world premiere of "Pass/Fail" at the Mark Taper Forum, and "Diary of a Hunger Strike," for which he received a Dramalogue Award for Best Actor. In 1990, he made his London stage debut in the West End production of "Bus Stop."

Cassidy lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Susan Diol, and kids, Caitlin and Jake. He was born September 27.

Ron Koslow (Creator/Executive Producer) ... Ron Koslow is probably best known as the creator and executive producer of the highly-acclaimed series "Beauty And the Beast," which ran from 1987-1990 and received 22 Emmy nominations. The series is now in syndication in more than 100 countries. He also created and executive produced "My Life and Times." His other television credits include the movies "Lady of the House," "Running Delilah" and "Sherwood's Travels."

Koslow's feature film credits include "Lifeguard," "Firstborn" and "Into the Night." Most recently, he wrote "Last Dance," which starred Sharon Stone as a condemned woman on Death Row.

Official Sites