PRODUCTION BEGINS ON 'PAINKILLER JANE'

Tate Donovan and Richard Roundtree Join the Cast of SCI FI Channel's New Female Superhero Pilot

NEW YORK -- January 20, 2005 -- Tate Donovan (The O.C.) and Richard Roundtree (Shaft) have joined Emmanuelle Vaugier in the cast of SCI FI Channel's 'Painkiller Jane,' a 2-hour backdoor pilot for the network's new superhero series. Production on the film begins this week in Vancouver.

Based on the Event Comics series, 'Painkiller Jane' is a super-heroine for the new millennium. When Jane Browning (Vaugier) is exposed to a biochemical weapon that alters her genes, she becomes endowed with incredible self-healing powers and extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Now, on the run from a sinister organization determined to replicate her powers - or destroy them - Jane joins forces with some unlikely allies to become an ultra-covert crime-fighting agent.

Donovan portrays "Graham Knight," a Ph.D. professor who tries to help Jane figure out her new abilities. Roundtree co-stars as "Colonel Watts," her commanding officer and mentor. The cast also includes Eric Dane ('Helter Skelter') and Walker Howard.

Written and executive produced by John Harrison ('Frank Herbert's Dune,' 'Children of Dune'), Greg Gold and Don Opper, the movie will be directed by Sanford Bookstaver ('The O.C.,' 'Hawaii'). Jason Netter ('From Dusk Till Dawn 2' and '3') and Ken Levin will co-executive produce. 'Painkiller Jane' is from NBC Universal Television Studio, in association with MGM Television Entertainment.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 84 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.