Welcome to a journey through time, as we revisit the beloved sci-fi drama Roswell! At a special ATX Festival panel, fans were treated to an insightful discussion featuring creator Jason Katims and the original cast. They shared their experiences, memories, and what it was like to bring the world of Roswell, New Mexico, to life.
🌟 Welcome to the Stage: Jason Katims
Jason Katims, the visionary behind Roswell, took the stage to reflect on how he came to create the show. Based on the book series Roswell High, the show wasn’t initially on his radar.
“I had done another show right before Roswell,” Jason explained. “I was looking for the next project and was handed the book. It was something I never would have come up with on my own, but I was really charmed by it.”
Katims saw Roswell as more than just another sci-fi story—it was a deeply romantic one. At its heart, the love story between Liz and Max, caught between worlds, made the series resonate with audiences.
🎭 Meet the Cast: The Roswell Family
One of Katims’ strengths as a writer is creating strong ensembles, and Roswell was no exception. As the cast reunited on stage, they reminisced about their experiences—some hilarious, some heartfelt.
🛸 Life on Set: A Lot of Hair & Teenage Antics
One of the first things the cast joked about? Their hair.
“A lot of hair thoughts,” one cast member quipped.
Shooting the pilot was a surreal experience for many of them. Some recalled their auditions, others their first impressions of each other, and a few shared their early on-set shenanigans.
“We were just kids,” one actor reflected. “I remember being 17 and mostly thinking about who I had a crush on.”
The energy of the young cast kept things interesting behind the scenes. From pranks to impromptu moments, it was clear that Roswell wasn’t just a job—it was a formative experience for everyone involved.
🎬 The Characters: Then and Now
👽 Michael Guerin – The Outsider
Brendan Fehr (Michael) originally auditioned for Max, but once he read for Michael, he knew that’s who he was meant to play.
“I liked that he was an outsider. There was something about his story that just clicked for me.”
🛸 Liz Parker – The Heart of the Show
Shiri Appleby (Liz) recalled how excited she was to land a lead role after working on smaller parts.
“I remember reading the script and feeling an instant connection. Jason’s writing made it so easy to sink into the role emotionally.”
🌠 Max Evans – The Romantic Hero
Jason Behr (Max) connected with his character’s pure heart and struggle with his dual identity.
“Max just wanted to be seen for who he was. I think that’s something we all relate to.”
🎤 Maria DeLuca – The Wild Card
Majandra Delfino (Maria) loved how free-spirited and energetic her character was.
“She was always hyper, always a party. Everyone else was dealing with serious stuff, and Maria was just…Maria.”
Each actor reflected on how their characters evolved over time and how their real personalities shaped the roles.
📺 Iconic Episodes
When asked about their favorite episodes, the cast and Katims listed several standouts:
- “The White Room” – A defining moment for Max.
- “Independence Day” – Michael’s emotional backstory.
- “285 South” – A fun, adventure-driven episode.
- “The End of the World” – The infamous Future Max episode that still haunts fans today.
Jason Katims also mentioned how certain episodes were tailored to the actors as the series progressed.
“Over time, the characters started influencing the writing. It was a two-way street.”
🚀 15 Years Later: Where Are the Characters Now?
The cast speculated about where their characters would be 15 years later:
- Maria? “Probably has a few baby aliens.”
- Michael? “Would be off somewhere brooding.”
- Max & Liz? “Still dealing with their ‘forbidden love’ drama.”
And of course, the question had to be asked…
👾 Do They Believe in Aliens?
The answers were mixed:
- “Absolutely.”
- “Nope.”
- “I read something about ‘Super Earth’—so, maybe?”
With Roswell being a show centered around aliens and government conspiracies, it was fitting that even the cast couldn’t agree!
👏 Final Round of Applause
As the panel wrapped up, the cast and Katims thanked the fans for keeping Roswell alive after all these years.
From teen angst to sci-fi intrigue, Roswell was more than just a show—it was an experience. And for those who grew up watching it, it remains a timeless cult classic.
