Breaking: Battlestar Stud Playing Dollhouse with Dushku

• Mar 27, 2008 01:22 AM ET
• by Michael Ausiello

Joss Whedon is letting his obsession with Battlestar Galactica get the best of him - and I couldn't be happier about it!

Whedon has tapped Galactica stud Tahmoh Penikett (aka Helo) to play Eliza Dushku's "twisted romantic foil" in Dollhouse, a spokesperson for Twentieth Television confirms. Also joining the Dollhouse ensemble are Fran Kranz (CBS' Welcome to the Captain), Aussie actress Dichen Lachman and relative newcomer Enver Gjokaj.

Penikett's character, Paul Smith ( originally named Paul Ballard), is described as an FBI agent who becomes obsessed with both the urban myth that is Dollhouse and its most recognizable inhabitant, Echo (Dushku).

Kranz, meanwhile, has been cast as Dollhouse's nerdy programmer Topher Brink, the dude responsible for imprinting the dolls. Lachman, who starred in the Australian series Neighbours, will play Sierra, a Doll similar to Echo, only not as self-aware. And last but not least, Gjokaj will play Echo's buddy Victor, a handsome Doll who is childlike when inactive and everything from Errol Flynn to a young De Niro when he's active.

Now I know what you're wondering: Where are all the Buffyverse stars who were vying for a spot on Dollhouse? Well, all hope is not lost. Four major roles have yet to be cast, and they are as follows:

" Adelle Dewitt: The fortyish iceberg who runs the Dollhouse where the human Etch-a-Sketches reside.

" Boyd Langton: Echo's handler and father figure.

" November: The Tracy Turnblad of the Dolls.

" Dr. Claire Sanders: The beautiful older woman with whom Topher is smitten.

What do you think of Dollhouse's inhabitants so far? Got any casting suggestions for the four remaining roles? Post 'em below - there's still time!