The Hilarious Reason Playing John Crichton Was Actually Claudia Black’s Farscape Dream Role

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In the captivating sci-fi series Farscape, airing on SYFY and available for streaming on Peacock, the diverse cast spanned across species – some human, others not. The emotional heart of this show was found in a duo of characters who effectively embodied both these groups.

John Crichton, played by Ben Browder, portrayed the human aspect in the series, having been an astronaut who was catapulted across the universe away from Earth. Meanwhile, Aeryn Sun, acted by Claudia Black, captivated fans as a character hailing from a species called Sebaceans, which are genetically distinct from humans, possessing characteristics such as exceptional longevity and superior eyesight.

Black has never hidden the fact that she found Aeryn, and her evolution from a cold, emotionless space soldier to a caring crewmate, to be the most captivating character in the vast array of intriguing personalities on Farscape. However, if she had been given a different role in this iconic science fiction series, would there have been another part that could have equally fascinated her? Is there a secondary character in Farscape that might have caught her attention as well?

For more Farscape: 

1. Claudia Black Explains Why She Believes Aeryn Was the Most Captivating Character in Every Corner of Farscape

2. Ben Browder from Farscape Shares a Hilarious Ability He Possessed on Stargate SG-1

3. An Unusual Role: How Bras Played a Crucial Part in Saving Farscape 25 Years Ago

Claudia Black: John Crichton “got all the fun lines” on Farscape

In a 2007 conversation with The Scifi World, Black humorously hinted at Aeryn Sun’s special bond with one specific Farscape character, reflecting the depth of her emotional ties.

When asked which other Farscape role she would have preferred, she chuckled and said, ‘John Crichton.’ He had the best lines for quite a while on the show. To be honest, I’m not sure if it would have made much difference which character you played on Farscape because they were all so visually intriguing.

In Farscape, creatures from The Jim Henson Company and ideas by series creator Rockne S. O’Bannon ensured that the diverse alien species inhabiting Moya’s spacecraft were visually captivating. Characters such as the punished Luxan warrior Ka D’Argo (Anthony Simcoe) and the lovable, grumpy, and noticeably puffy Hynerian outcast Rygel (Jonathan Hardy) stood out distinctively in the realm of science fiction due to their unique appearances.

Despite some viewers finding it difficult to fully appreciate Aeryn, the alien character she played in Farscape, Black has never regretted taking on the role. In her own words to Farscape Cult as the series came to an end, “She was definitely one of the most fascinating characters, if not the most fascinating. The fact that she underwent the greatest transformation and it was through love with John Crichton that this development would occur made it a perfect fit for me as an actress.

As a devoted fan of Farscape, I can’t help but reflect on the fascinating evolution of Black’s character. Initially portrayed as a cold and hardened soldier, her transformation into a more vulnerable and empathetic being was a captivating journey that unfolded over the course of the series. This transformation reached its zenith on Peacock, where you can now stream all four seasons of Farscape (and even Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars!).

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2025-07-23 19:46