Rising Star: Alessandra Torresani

Alessandra Torresani is not a name you might not be familiar with yet, but after Friday’s premiere of the new Syfy series “Caprica”, you will be hearing it more often.

“Caprica” is the latest offering from sci-fi phenomenon Ronald Moore and serves as a prequel to his hit re-imagining of “Battlestar Galactica”.

Alessandra portrays the character Zoe Graystone, whose eventual death will play a key role in the creation of “BSG” arch-villains, the Cylons, in the series’ mythology.

David Eick, Executive Producer of both “Caprica” and “Battlestar Galactica,” said at a recent press event that Alessandra, “Just came in. After ‘Battlestar,’ we felt so fortunate to have that cast, and I don’t mind saying publicly [that] I feel like we got even luckier with this ensemble.”

A native of Palo Alto, California, Alessandra got her break at 9-years-old when she started hosting “WB Kids Club.” Early in 2000 the actress moved to LA and started picking up guest roles in shows such as “Bones,” “E.R.,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” and “Arrested Development,” amongst others.

While the actress is no stranger to Hollywood, the “Caprica” star is a relative unknown to the public at large. Even though the shoes she is stepping into are big – especially considering she is acting alongside such powerhouses as Eric Stolz, Paula Malcomson and Esai Morales – Torresani shines in the two-hour premiere.

The “Caprica” movie was released on DVD back in April of 2009 as a back-door pilot for the new series. Fans have already had a taste of Alessandra and the futuristic, polytheistic world of “Caprica,” and have been clamoring for more since. The “Caprica” Facebook page boasts nearly 20,000 followers, all before the pilot has even hit the airwaves.

Eick, when pressed, has no fear of non-Battlestar fans being interested in the show. “Other than the fact that if you happen to know ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ you know that that show had its roots in some of the stories we’re telling now, there really is no relationship between the two shows whatsoever.”

“Caprica” premieres Friday, January 22, at 9 PM on SyFy.