Roswell debuted on the now-defunct WB network in 1999. The series is based on the Young Adult book series, Roswell High, by Melinda Metz. Teen angst takes on a whole new level when one human, Liz (Shiri Appleby), and one alien, Max (Jason Behr), fall in love. When Max’s fellow aliens, Michael (Brendan Fehr) and Isabel (Katherine Heigl), discover their budding romance, they clash with Liz’s best friends, Maria (Majandra Delfino) and Alex (Colin Hanks). Thankfully, the group is able to find common ground and work together against the true enemy; authority. This show ended nearly 20 years ago in May 2002. Here is a flashback to the main characters and what the actors are up to these days.
Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby)
Liz Parker was leading a normal life as a science-focused high school student until that day when she was the victim of a gunshot wound in her family’s diner. When her crush, Max Evans, suddenly heals her, she discovers he is an alien. Their romantic complications are the basis for the entirety of the series. Liz constantly wants to do the right thing, but like everyone at her age, is overpowered by her love for Max.
After Roswell, Appleby had recurring roles on ER, Chicago Fire, and Girls. She then went on to star in Life Unexpected and UnReal. Recently, she has begun directing episodes of Grown-ish, The Wonder Years, and Roswell, New Mexico.
Max Evans (Jason Behr)
Max Evans, our favorite brooding alien, was doing his best to keep a low profile until he couldn’t help himself from saving Liz’s life. Max is the figurative (and literal) leader of the aliens on Earth, a fact that frequently invokes conflict with Michael and Isabel. He is torn between his loyalty to his fellow aliens and his undeniable love for Liz. At first, his power is healing, obviously, but as the series goes on he discovers he is more powerful than anyone thought possible.
Behr received critical acclaim for his role in the film, The Shipping News. He also had recurring roles in the TV shows, Breakout Kings and Supergirl.
Michael Guerin (Brendan Fehr)
Michael is the odd-man-out in the three aliens. While Max and Isabel were adopted by the kind Evans family, Michael ended up in the foster care system with a less-than-stellar appointed guardian. He is hot-headed and his emotions frequently get him into trouble. He has a tumultuous romance with Maria and is skeptical of Liz for quite a while. As the series goes on, he learns responsibility in his role in the alien group as well as in his relationship.
Brendan Fehr went on to have recurring TV roles in CSI: Miami, Bones, and Wynonna Earp as well as appearing in such films as Silent Night and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Isabel Evans (Katherine Heigl)
Isabel is Max’s sister and does her best to keep everyone at arm’s length. She has the power of invading people’s minds to see what they’re really thinking. When she casually waltzes into Alex’s subconscious, she finds that she’s already there as he is dreaming about her. The two then begin a sweet romance. She is fiercely protective of her brother and Michael and finds herself at odds with Liz a lot. Eventually, she finds a way to let her guard down and let friends and love in.
Post Roswell, Heigl gained fame through her starring role on Grey’s Anatomy. She also starred in such films as Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, and Unforgettable.
Maria DeLuca (Majandra Delfino)
Even though sworn to secrecy, Liz has no choice but to confess the truth to her best friend, Maria, about Max and company. Maria is panicked at first but soon settles in to support their new friends. She falls in love with Michael against her better judgment and the two turn out to be the true power couple of the show. Their relationship is comical, passionate, and full of chemistry.
Majandra Delfino has also starred in Quarterlife, State of Georgia, and Friends with Better Lives.
Alex Whitman (Colin Hanks)
Alex is kept in the dark as long as possible in regards to the truth about Max. But once Liz reveals the secret, Alex is sucked into a world he never could have imagined. Unfortunately for them, and for us, Hanks is the first casualty of the group of friends in the second season and Hanks left the show. He returned for a cameo in Season 3 in Isabel’s dreams.
Hanks has starred in a number of films including Orange County, King Kong, and Parkland. He also had main roles on Mad Men, Dexter, Fargo, and Life in Pieces.
Kyle Valenti (Nick Wechsler)
As Liz’s ex-boyfriend, Kyle is always the one who is suspicious of everyone. After many tense moments, he and Max finally end up bonding and Kyle becomes a sort of comic relief. When he discovers the truth in the first season finale, he does not react as well as the others. He is extremely shaken up and scared, and it takes him a long time to come around to feeling normal around Max and the others. Thankfully, he becomes one of their biggest allies for the rest of the series.
After Roswell, Wechsler went on to starring roles in Revenge, Chicago PD, and Shades of Blue.
Sheriff Jim Valenti (William Sadler)
As Kyle’s dad, Sheriff Jim serves as the antagonist for the entire first season. His character takes a sharp turn towards the end of the season when he finds out the truth about Max, Isabel, and Michael. When he sees that they’re just kids and they are being hunted by the government, he vows to protect them no matter what the cost is. Turning from antagonist to father figure, Sheriff Jim teaches the aliens that sometimes humans aren’t all that bad.
William Sadler has appeared in film and television since the late 1970s, but it was his comedic portrayal of “Death” in Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (as well as Bill and Ted Face the Music) that endeared him to audiences forever.
Tess Harding (Emilie de Ravin)
The mysterious new girl at school who turns out to be the fourth alien from the crash also happens to be Max’s bride from their home planet. Tess seamlessly shifts back and forth between ally, antagonist, and downright villain. Her love triangle with Max and Liz provides a lot of tension for the happy couple. Tess has a mind-warping power that is as useful as it is deadly.
Emilie de Ravin starred in such films as Brick and Remember Me, but is probably best known as Claire on Lost and Belle on Once Upon a Time.
The series also had some famous guest stars such as Jonathan Frakes, Howie Dorough, Nelly Furtado, Morgan Fairchild, and Joe Pantoliano. The series was canceled after its 3rd season which left our merry hybrid of humans and aliens as nomads wandering around the country looking for further signs of alien life forms.
In 2018, the CW launched a reimagined version of the series, Roswell, New Mexico. This time, the story takes place 10 years after high school. The storyline uses the same source material but is slightly tweaked from the original. It also deals with real-world issues such as immigration, racism, and fear politics. It stars Jeanine Mason, Nathan Parsons, Michael Vlamis, Lily Cowles, Tyler Blackburn, Heather Hemmens, Amber Midthunder, and Michael Trevino. Original cast members, Appleby and Behr, have appeared in the reboot.
The entire original series of Roswell is available for streaming on Hulu. The first 3 seasons of the reboot, Roswell, New Mexico are available on Netflix, and Season 4 will debut in 2022.