Lou Diamond Phillips and Ming-Na will join the 'SGU' survivors in deep space

Lou Diamond Phillips, Ming-Na, Elyse Levesque and Alaina Huffman have filled out the cast of Sci Fi Channel's highly anticipated series "Stargate: Universe," which has already begun production in Vancouver.

They join the previously announced Robert Carlyle, Justin Louis, David Blue, Jamil Walker Smith and Brian J. Smith in what is described as a tonally "edgier and younger" series in the popular sci fi franchise.

This time around, the denizens of a hidden base -- including soldiers, scientists and civilians alike -- come under attack and are forced to enter the Stargate and emerge aboard the Destiny, an ancient spaceship that can't return to Earth because its course is locked on an unknown destination in deep space. The group must work together to meet their basic survival needs, unlock the ship's secrets and deal with those among them with their own, insidious agenda.

On "SGU," Phillips portrays career military man Col. Telford who is thrust into the leadership position under the unusual circumstances, while Ming-Na plays Camile Wray, the highest-ranking member of an international oversight committee that governs the Stargate program and who has a rather inflated opinion of her importance in relation to the other survivors.

Levesque stars as Chloe Armstrong, a U.S. Senator's wild child who must prove her character once she's trapped on the ship. Huffman is MSgt. Tamara Johansen, whose rather limited experience as an Air Force field medic is put to the test when faced with an overwhelming number of wounded.

As reported earlier, Carlyle will play Dr. Nicholas Rush, whose brilliant scientific mind also harbors an ulterior motive, and Blue will play Eli Wallace a mathematical genius/video game-playing slacker. Louis will play Col. Everett Young, an experienced Stargate team leader.

Brian J. Smith will portray Lt. Mathew Scott, an untried junior member of the Stargate team who suddenly must become a leader, while Jamil Walker Smith will play the hot-headed Marine Sgt. Ronald Greer.

"SGU" will premiere in October with a two-hour movie directed by Andy Mikita.