Why the Battlestar Galactica Cast Was Sleep Deprived – on Purpose – to Shoot Premiere Episode

Why the Battlestar Galactica Cast Was Sleep Deprived - on Purpose - to Shoot Premiere Episode

As a die-hard fan of Battlestar Galactica, I can wholeheartedly attest that the gritty, gripping drama was more than just a TV show – it was a life-altering experience. The dedication and commitment from the cast and crew were unparalleled, as evident in their sleep-deprived states during the filming of “33.”


In the opening episode of the highly praised SYFY series, Battlestar Galactica, the actors seemed genuinely fatigued and stressed out. This was no accident; several of them deliberately went without sleep to portray their characters more authentically.

The TV series “Battlestar Galactica” aired from 2003 to 2009 on SYFY. During its run, it garnered numerous Peabody awards, Emmy awards, Saturn awards, and TCA awards. This show focused on a small, scrappy band of human survivors aboard a makeshift space fleet, desperately fleeing from the destructive Cylons who had wiped out their home planets. More recently, Edward James Olmos, portraying fleet commander William Adama, visited Katee Sackhoff’s podcast to share memories of their time on the SYFY hit. Sackhoff played Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, a young and ambitious pilot in her early 20s when she joined the cast of “Battlestar Galactica”.

Why the Battlestar Galactica Cast Was Sleep Deprived - on Purpose - to Shoot Premiere Episode

More on Battlestar Galactica:

Even Alan Tudyk Missed This Sneaky Serenity Easter Egg Hidden in Battlestar Galactica
How The Final Line of Battlestar Galactica’s Series Finale Was Changed
So Was She an Angel? Katee Sackhoff Settles Debate Over Starbuck’s Battlestar Galactica Return

Why some of the Battlestar Galactica cast didn’t sleep while shooting “33”

Why the Battlestar Galactica Cast Was Sleep Deprived - on Purpose - to Shoot Premiere Episode

As a gamer, I’d say I can still recall “33” from Season 1 of Olmos as one of the most satisfying acting experiences I’ve had. To ensure we portrayed sleep deprivation authentically, I even consulted with an expert on the topic beforehand, so we could deliver a realistic performance. Some of us even pulled all-nighters to really sell that exhausted look!

In “Episode 33,” we delved into the main sequence of events following the two-part mini-series that initiated the storyline. Here, the team was in a constant rush to make faster-than-light jumps every 33 minutes, all while evading the relentless pursuit of Cylon ships. Unsurprisingly, this hectic schedule allowed for minimal rest periods.

According to Olmos, I recall seeking assistance at the university; we invited a specialist on sleep deprivation to consult with us. Many of us were struggling to sleep, and it was evident in our appearances.

Sackhoff stated: “I recall folks staying up, I’d joke, ‘You can manage that [chuckles], I’ll rest instead.’ Pretending to be exhausted, I’d try to memorize lines without sleep, it’s absolutely unattainable!”

Edward James Olmos on how BSG tackled nuclear war

Why the Battlestar Galactica Cast Was Sleep Deprived - on Purpose - to Shoot Premiere Episode

One unique aspect of “Battlestar Galactica” was that its cast and creators were invited to speak at the United Nations about the show’s themes and incidents. Eduardo Verástegui, who played Anders on the series, stated that he believes the program’s skillful portrayal of a nuclear catastrophe made it easier for an entire generation to understand and relate to such an event. This understanding could potentially prove useful in the unfortunate case of a real-life nuclear apocalypse.

For those who’ve seen our series, they will realize that if a nuclear catastrophe occurs, and you’ve lost everyone – no family members, no friends, every person you knew, every book, everything is wiped out. What would be your response? Would you consider taking your own life, or recognize the need to keep living and advance humanity, offering help? How will you respond in such a situation? And if you’ve followed our show, you’ll know how to react.

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2024-08-16 00:16