Sackhoff, NBC ink 11th-hour "Bionic" deal

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In a real-life thriller rivaling the twists and turns on NBC's "Bionic Woman," Katee Sackhoff has inked a last-minute deal to continue on the upcoming series as a recurring character after almost walking off the project.

"Battlestar Galactica" star Sackhoff did a scene-stealing guest spot on the pilot for "Bionic" as bad bionic woman Sarah and nemesis to Jamie Sommers (Michelle Ryan). David Eick, who executives produces "Battlestar" and "Bionic," is said to have been instrumental in bringing her on board the pilot, which was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Sackhoff was working on "Battlestar."

Sackhoff had been featured heavily in the network's promotional spots for the series and touted as a recurring character. But she didn't have a deal to stay on beyond a couple of episodes, and she and Universal Media Studios, which is producing the show, were far apart on terms, sources said.

Sackhoff was scheduled to appear on NBC's panel for "Bionic" Tuesday morning during the network's portion of the Television Critics Assn.'s press tour but didn't show up.

When The Hollywood Reporter asked why she was missing, a publicist came out to say that she had a scheduling conflict.

Asked whether Sackhoff had a deal in place for the series, executive producer Jason Smilovic replied: "Katee's on the show. She's not here because she has a scheduling conflict."

Sackhoff's "Battlestar" character, Capt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, has become a lesbian icon, and the actress's no-show on the panel raised speculation that she might be boycotting "Bionic" in light of Monday's announcement that Isaiah Washington, fired from "Grey's Anatomy" for reportedly using an anti-gay slur, is joining the new NBC series.

But sources indicated that the no-show was entirely contract negotiations-related, and after a series of back-and-forths Tuesday, an agreement between Sackhoff and the studio was reached at about 6 p.m.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter