In 1999, a little sci-fi show called Roswell — based on the series Roswell High by Melinda
Metz — stacked the odds in its favor with some of Hollywood's hottest rising stars.
But despite its extraterrestrial charm, Roswell fizzled out after only three seasons.
While the show itself was brief in duration, the fandom lives on.
Check out what became of its fresh-faced stars.
Shiri Appleby as Liz Parker
As Roswell's Liz Parker, Shiri Appleby charmed audiences as the sweet young server who worked
at her parents' diner.
Although Appleby didn't inherit any of her character's extraterrestrial powers, you could
say her onscreen comeback has been out-of-this-world.
After a steady but inconspicuous string of gigs right after Roswell, Appleby resurrected
her career with recurring roles on the small screen in Chicago Fire, Girls, and, as of
2018, an ongoing role in UnREAL.
But in addition to her starring role, the series has given Appleby the chance to direct.
"So I just finished directing my first episode of television [...] I loved it, man.
It just really made me feel like I had to use every inch of my being.
Like, I was really on."
She told Vulture,
"I get really high off of it because it's also a lot of power.
[...] Growing up on set, the director is the person that, as a child, you admire and gives
you validation."
Appleby is thriving in her personal life, too.
In 2013, she married chef and restaurateur Jon Shook, with whom she has two kids.
Jason Behr as Max Evans
Jason Behr played Roswell's Max Evans, an often dark and brooding dude from another
world, who's still friendly with costar-slash-onscreen-flame Shiri Appleby.
Since the show, Behr has enjoyed relatively steady work in Hollywood: in TV shows like
Breakout Kings, and movies like 2004's The Grudge.
Behr explained there's a method to his madness, telling Collider of his penchant for sci-fi
and fantasy,
"I've tried to balance it out with a lot of independent, character-driven pieces as well
which I've been lucky enough and fortunate enough to do."
And as it turns out, Behr is also pretty lucky in love.
He and actress KaDee Strickland met while filming The Grudge together, and the pair
is now married with a family.
Katherine Heigl as Isabel Evans
Katherine Heigl played Max's sister, an alien-human hybrid named Isabel.
After laying that role to rest, Heigl at first focused on TV movies and recurring TV roles,
but her career really took off with 2007's Knocked Up.
The role Heigl is arguably best known for is also mired in controversy: Izzie on ABC's
long-running Grey's Anatomy, which she reportedly lost due to negative comments she made.
But despite the drama, Heigl has become a rom-com heroine.
She churned out 27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth, Killers, and Life As We Know It — before
deciding it wasn't the best career move.
She told Marie Claire,
"I was so stoked to be doing them.
But maybe I hit it a little too hard.
[...] Maybe I overloaded my audience."
Outside of work, Heigl spends time with her musician husband, Josh Kelley, and the couple's
three children.
As of 2018, she also runs the lifestyle blog, Those Heavenly Days.
Majandra Delfino as Maria DeLuca
As Roswell's Maria DeLuca, Majandra Delfino was all of us.
And happily, she seems to have maintained her eccentric charm over the years.
In addition to film work that includes TV series, movies, and voice acting, Delfino
even boasts a singing career.
But for fans, perhaps the most exciting project is Baron + Toluca.
"What, are you kidnapping me?"
"No, I'm abducting you.
Just kidding.
Seatbelts!"
The yet-to-be-picked-up show, which Delfino wrote and directed, stars herself and Roswell
costar Brendan Fehr.
In real life, Delfino married actor David Walton in 2011 and started a family.
Brendan Fehr as Michael Guerin
Delfino and Brendan Fehr, as Maria and Michael, represented the typical tempestuous relationship
of '90s teens.
And that relatability has served Fehr well since the show ended.
In addition to the upcoming film Brotherhood, Fehr has starred in several SyFy films over
the years, a strategic decision he's made in part due to the network's following.
Fehr has further secured roles in hit TV shows like CSI: Miami, Bones, Longmire, Better Call
Saul, and The Night Shift.
Fehr married Jennifer Rowley in 2006, and the couple has three daughters together.
Nick Wechsler as Kyle Valenti
Roswell's resident jock, Kyle Valenti, was brought to life by actor Nick Wechsler.
And although his face has pretty much remained the same, Wechsler's body of work has evolved.
Over the years, he's guest starred on Malcolm in the Middle, Cold Case, Crossing Jordan,
and Without a Trace.
He has also enjoyed recurring roles on shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Chicago
P.D., and perhaps most notably, as Jack Porter on the series Revenge.
And as of 2017, Wechsler landed the CW reboot of Dynasty.
William Sadler as Sheriff Jim Valenti
William Sadler was an experienced actor coming into Roswell, and his illustrious career has
continued to thrive beyond the series.
As of 2018, his work in TV and movies includes over 150 roles, with more on the way.
He has enjoyed playing the villain in many projects, telling Diabolique of his role in
Machete Kills,
"Hollywood has always had this view of me where they see my face and think, 'Yeah, he
could kill a room full of people and then sit down and have a sandwich.'
[...] Bad guys are always fun to play."
Colin Hanks as Alex Whitman
On Roswell, Colin Hanks played everyone's best friend, Alex Whitman.
And Hanks' innate likability hasn't faded since.
Following his breakout starring role in 2002's Orange County, Hanks has landed major movie
roles in King Kong, and The House Bunny, booked many TV series like Life in Pieces, and received
multiple award nominations (including an Emmy) for his role in Fargo.
In the slasher series Dexter, Hanks played the Doomsday Killer, a role he admits was
atypical for him, telling Toronto Now,
"It's not that I like making people uncomfortable, but I get a kick out of the fact that I've
seen some people, like, have their minds broken."
In 2010, Hanks married New York publicist Samantha Bryant and the couple has two daughters
together.
Emilie de Ravin as Tess Harding
Emilie de Ravin played Roswell's Tess Harding, who boasted extraterrestrial-queen pedigree.
Even though she has yet to play another alien-human hybrid, de Ravin's career has remained exciting
and diverse.
While she's played bit parts in network shows, her breakout gig was as Claire in Lost.
She ventured into film with The Hills Have Eyes and Remember Me, but the role de Ravin
is undoubtedly best known for in recent years is Belle in the fairytale series Once Upon
a Time, a role she departed from in 2017 after six seasons.
While there is a Roswell reboot in the works as of 2018, we'll never forget the cast who
started it all.
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