Every great sci-fi world starts with imagination… but it’s the characters that make it unforgettable.
When I began building the universe of Galaxy’s Child, I knew I wanted more than tech and theory. I wanted characters who could grow, who could evolve across missions, relationships, losses, and triumphs.
World-building is one thing. But character-building is what makes that world matter.
Think of Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He begins as a machine, logical, calculated, emotionally limited. But by the end of the series, you can’t help but see him as beautifully human. That kind of transformation is something I’ve always found compelling.
The same is true for the cast of Galaxy’s Child, especially Philip Anders. He starts one way, but he won’t stay that way.
I won’t spoil what lies ahead, but I thought it would be fun to share the actors I imagine would best portray the main characters if Galaxy’s Child ever made it to screen. And more importantly, why.
Philip Anders – The Reluctant Genius
Actor: Dylan Minnette
Why: Dylan has a quiet intensity that makes him incredibly compelling to watch. He’s believable as someone introverted, intelligent, and emotionally layered, all traits that define Philip in Galaxy’s Child. What sets Dylan apart is his ability to portray a character who seems like he’s just barely holding it together, while still managing to push forward.
Philip isn’t a traditional action hero, he’s someone who struggles with loss, carries the burden of unrealized potential, and has to navigate both scientific pressure and personal guilt. Dylan has shown in roles like 13 Reasons Why that he can shoulder complex emotional arcs with honesty and restraint.
He doesn’t need to say much to make you feel a lot, and that’s exactly what Philip requires. Over time, as Philip grows into a role he never asked for, Dylan could bring that transformation to life in a way that feels real, earned, and deeply human.
Ava Shore – The Enigmatic Presence
Actor: Hailee Steinfeld
Why: Hailee brings an incredibly rare blend of strength, softness, and subtle emotional layering to her roles. She’s believable as someone with a sharp mind and strong convictions, yet she never comes across as cold, which is perfect for Ava.
What makes Hailee such a strong match is her ability to project empathy and curiosity while holding something back. Whether she’s commanding attention in Hawkeye or showing vulnerability in Dickinson, she always feels present—and that’s exactly what Ava needs: a presence that makes you lean in and wonder what she’s not saying.
Ava walks a fine line between authenticity and artifice. Hailee could walk that line with both elegance and emotional credibility, giving Ava the layered portrayal she deserves as her story unfolds.
Dany “Sable” Crews – The Fighter Pilot with a Heart
Actor: Katee Sackhoff
Why: Katee doesn’t just play strong characters, she embodies them. Her performance as Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica redefined what a gritty, emotionally layered sci-fi heroine could be. Dany Crews is cut from a similar cloth: a top-tier pilot with elite instincts, deep loyalty to her squadron, and a defiant streak that sometimes gets her into trouble.
But Dany’s not just a hotshot—she’s also vulnerable, brave, and quietly self-sacrificing. Katee brings exactly that kind of depth. She can project confidence while revealing emotional cracks underneath, which is essential as Dany’s arc unfolds.
There’s no question: if you want an actress who can sell the cockpit, bark an order, take a loss, and break your heart, all in one scene, Katee Sackhoff is the real deal.
Mike Parks – The Seasoned Leader Who Still Thinks for Himself
Actor: Ryan Reynolds
Why: At first glance, Reynolds might seem too relaxed or comedic for a military role, but that’s the genius of it. Mike Parks isn’t a stereotypical drill-sergeant type. He’s a trusted officer, a natural mentor, and a man with just enough rebellious instinct to make him dangerous in the right way. Reynolds brings that exact kind of energy.
He can play authority without being authoritarian. He can be dead serious when needed, but still knows how to cut tension with a single look or line. Mike’s the kind of guy who’s earned his rank, but hasn’t lost his humanity in the process. He’s also the only one who sees Philip Anders not as a liability, but as the key to everything. And Ryan Reynolds could sell that belief, honestly and without overplaying it.
Plus, you just know Mike’s going to have a few lines that hit hard with a smirk. And if anyone can deliver that balance of steel and soul, it’s Reynolds.
Dr. Elaine Shaw – The Believer in Brilliance
Actor: Jeri Ryan
Why: Dr. Shaw isn’t just one of the smartest people in the room, she’s often the only one who sees the long game. She believes in science, in principles, and most importantly, in people, especially in Philip Anders, long before anyone else does. That mix of insight, patience, and fierce conviction is something Jeri Ryan delivers effortlessly.
Her portrayal of Seven of Nine already proved she can bring both logic and emotion into perfect balance. In the role of Shaw, she’d feel like a natural fit, authoritative without arrogance, calm under pressure, and emotionally invested even when she pretends not to be.
Jeri could embody Dr. Shaw’s inner strength and intellect while revealing just enough vulnerability to make her deeply human. She’s not there to play politics, she’s there to get it right. And when she chooses to fight for someone like Philip, it means something.
Brigadier General Mancuso – The Authority Behind the Curtain
Actor: Tom Cruise
Why: General Mancuso is the kind of character who doesn’t need to raise his voice to command a room. He’s sharp, strategic, and often three steps ahead of everyone else. When he speaks, people listen, not out of fear, but out of respect. Tom Cruise would bring that kind of authority with ease.
We know Cruise can lead (Top Gun, Edge of Tomorrow), but what makes him interesting here is his ability to play characters who walk the line between control and calculated risk. That’s Mancuso in a nutshell. He’s tasked with protecting Earth’s most advanced military program, but he’s also smart enough to know when to break from protocol, and that’s what makes him so compelling.
Cruise would bring gravity, credibility, and an intensity that would make every scene with Mancuso crackle with energy. And let’s be honest: watching him go toe-to-toe with Ryan Reynolds as Mike Parks? That’s a conversation we’d all want to see.
I’ve only scratched the surface here. Each of these characters has their own arc, some will rise, some will fall, and some will surprise you in ways I can’t reveal (yet). But casting them, even just in my mind, has helped me bring them to life as I write.And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see these stories on screen. Until then, I hope you enjoy discovering these characters as much as I’ve enjoyed creating
David P. Lloyd 