Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi adventure or have a sense of humour to the tune of Family Guy, you’ll want to enlist in the Planetary Union and journey to the vast corners of space in the U.S.S. Orville. However, you may have heard a thing or two about the man at its helm, Captain Ed Mercer, or that his first officer is actually his ex-wife. Well, with the first season of The Orville arriving on DVD on 8th October 2018, here’s everything you may need to know about the ship’s crew before boarding…
Captain Ed Mercer
Portrayed by the show’s creator Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), Captain Ed Mercer is the human at the helm of the U.S.S. Orville. He was no-one’s first choice for the job however. Once considered a shoe-in for Admiral, the discovery of his wife in bed with an alien destroyed his productive spirit, leaving the Captain you see today. His appointment, is his last chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a captain.
Commander Kelly Grayson
A perfect mix of dry wit and the composure required of an officer, Kelly Grayson is the Orville’s First Officer, as well as the Captain’s ex-wife. Meeting Mercer during their academy days, they hit it off and later married. You wouldn’t believe the Captain we see today used to be a workaholic, but it ended up driving Grayson into the arms of another, ending their relationship.
Her appointment to the Orville came as an unwelcome shock to Captain Mercer, but the two must learn to overcome their differences for the greater good.
Commander Kelly Grayson is portrayed by Adrianne Palicki, who you may recognise as Bobbi Morse from Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD.
Lieutenant Commander Bortus
Did you know that the all-male Moclan race only urinate once per year? That’s just a snippet of the facts to learn about the race the Orville’s Second Officer, Bortus, calls his own.
With a serious, logic-driven demeanour, he may be left unable to understand his colleagues’ quirky humour, but he is perhaps the most reliable of the officers on board the Orville. Bortus is brought to life on screen by Peter Macon (Shameless).
Lieutenant Gordon Malloy – GIF
The Planetary Union’s ace pilot and close friend of Captain Ed Mercer, Gordon is the Orville’s resident prankster – much to the enjoyment or chagrin of his colleagues, depending on who you ask. Cheer yet laid-back, Gordon has no difficulty in making friends, even if he isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. While his skills are respected across the Union however, his love of alcohol is known to get the better of him.
Gordon is brought to life by actor Scott Grimes, the voice of Steve Smith in Seth MacFarlane’s American Dad!.
Lieutenant Alara Kitan
One of the youngest officers on board the Orville, Alara belongs to the Xelayan race, gifting her with super strength and durability. In contrast however, she has a kind, considerate heart and suffers from low self-esteem.
She takes her job seriously however, and will do anything for her colleagues, so hopefully her adventures with the Orville will help her recognise the talents others already see in her.
Lieutenant Alara Kitan is played by Halston Sage (Paper Towns).
Lieutenant Commander John LaMarr
Gordon’s partner in crime both on and off duty, John is the Orville’s Navigator and known for disregarding stuffy formality like ranks, addressing even his superiors with a casual friendliness. Despite his tendency towards laid back informality, like a fondness of enjoying fizzy drinks on the bridge, he may in fact be smarter than he appears.
John LaMarr is played by J. Lee, who previously worked as a writer on Family Guy and its spin-off, The Cleveland Show.
Lieutenant Commander Claire Finn
Wielding wisdom and sass in equal measure, the Orville’s strong-willed Chief Medical Officer uses her years of experience to help guide the ship’s younger members. Her relationship with Bortus however, is best described as “tense”.
Claire Finn lives on the Orville with her two young sons, Ty and Marcus. She is portrayed by actress Penny Johnson Jerald (Sherry Palmer in 24).
Isaac
The Orville’s Science and Engineering Officer doesn’t just think he’s better than everyone, he knows it. Like other members of the Kaylon race, Isaac views himself as intellectually and physically superior to all forms of biological life – such as his crewmates on the Orville. This is known to put him at odds with Claire Finn in particular.
Despite this supposed superiority however, he has trouble understanding emotions and humour. Isaac is portrayed by Mark Jackson.
Lieutenant Commander Steve Newton
One of the ship’s older officers, the Orville’s Chief Engineer is mostly known for his fondness towards liquor and a vulgar sense of humour. However, he is also an accomplished engineer and his talents will prove crucial to the Orville in the missions to come. Steve Newton is portrayed by Larry Joe Campbell.
Remembering the names and faces of all your colleagues is always the hardest part of a new job. With this information in mind however, we hope your enjoy your trip with The Orville!
The Orville: The Complete First Season is out on DVD on 8th October 2018.
