Lead Cast and Main Characters
The lead role of Jim Shannon in the Terra Nova TV series is played by Jason O'Mara, an Irish actor known for roles in major television franchises. Shelley Conn portrays Dr. Elisabeth Shannon, the chief medical officer and Jim's wife, while Landon Liboiron plays their son Josh Shannon. Naomi Scott, before her global film breakthrough, starred as the teenage Maddy Shannon in the first season before her character was written out of the show. The ensemble cast also includes Allison Miller as Skye Tate, the daughter of the colony's leader, and Stephen Lang as Commander Nathaniel Taylor, the authoritarian head of Terra Nova settlement. IMDb lists the full main cast with character descriptions and episode credits.
The Terra Nova TV series aired on Fox from September 26 to December 19, 2011, running for a single season of 13 episodes. The show was created by Kelly Marcel and Craig Silverstein and produced by DreamWorks Television and 20th Century Fox Television. Filming took place in Queensland, Australia, at Village Roadshow Studios and on location in the Gold Coast hinterland. The production budget was reported to be approximately 4 million per episode, a high figure for a broadcast sci-fi series at the time. The series was canceled after one season due to mixed critical reception and ratings that did not meet network expectations, despite strong international viewership numbers.
Supporting and Recurring Cast Members
Key Supporting Roles
Alison Pill played the role of Dr. Zoe Shannon, the youngest member of the Shannon family, while Dean Geyer portrayed the security officer and love interest Jared. Christine Adams starred as Lieutenant Washington, a military leader within the colony, and Peter Mensah played the mysterious hunter Oz Haggerty. Jay Ryan, before his role in the series, played the scout Reuben, and Simone Kessell portrayed the warrior Elisabeth's rival, Alicia Washington. The recurring cast included Dan Wyllie as the colony's political figure Tom Boylan and Rodger Corser as the security chief Curran.
Production and Network Context
The Terra Nova TV series was developed as a flagship project for Fox's 2011 fall lineup, with Steven Spielberg and Peter Chernin serving as executive producers. The show was filmed using a combination of practical sets and extensive visual effects, with the VFX work handled by companies including the production's credited visual effects studios. The series was shot on 35mm film, a rare choice for a television drama at that time, and the cinematography was led by director of photography John Bartley. The pilot episode was directed by Alex Graves, known for his work on other major television series, and the show's visual design aimed for a prehistoric yet futuristic aesthetic.
Cast Careers After Terra Nova
Post-Series Trajectories
After Terra Nova, several cast members achieved significant career milestones. Naomi Scott went on to star as Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin (2019) and as Kim in the action film Charlie's Angels (2019). Jason O