Morena Baccarin

After Morena Baccarin auditioned for a lead role in the sci-fi series “V,” executive producer Scott Peters put her headshot in the “no” pile. Ms. Baccarin is tall, with large striking eyes, and Mr. Peters thought his bosses “wouldn’t get her look.” As the auditions dragged on—he says the show’s casting team saw “somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or 60” actresses for the role—he reconsidered. “She was worth fighting for,” he says.

ABC hopes that Ms. Baccarin can help carry “V,” a remake of a sci-fi TV franchise from the 1980s, and her face is featured prominently in the marketing campaign for the series. The 30-year-old actress plays Anna, the leader of an alien race called “The Visitors” who come to Earth bearing gifts of advanced technology and “universal health care”—but it soon leaks out that their motives may not be peaceful. Mr. Peters says that instead of playing the part archly, Ms. Baccarin imbues it with a sense of seriousness. “She has a wonderful stillness about her—and that gives her a commanding presence,” says Mr. Peters.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Baccarin moved to the U.S. as a youngster, and attended New York City’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (the school that inspired the movie “Fame”) and the Juilliard School. She has starred in the sci-fi shows “Firefly” and “Stargate SG-1”; she recently filmed a movie with Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) and Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”) called “Stolen Lives.” She talked to the Wall Street Journal about “V,” which will have its premiere on ABC on Nov.3.

The Wall Street Journal: I’ve heard that you were a fan of the original “V” series. You were around 4 years old when it first aired in 1983. What were you doing watching scary stuff like that?

Ms. Baccarin: I was in Brazil so we got it a few years after the U.S. got it. I remember being with my brother on the couch and watching it and being petrified. Like when one of the Vs peels off her skin. When I got the part [of Anna] I went back and YouTubed the show and watched some scenes and it was as creepy as I remembered.

Why is this story worth telling again?

Because we’re all interested in life outside of Earth. We all have a fascination with what’s out there because we don’t really know. The storyline lends itself to explore a lot of things—like fear, and blind devotion and terrorism.

How does it tie in to terrorism?

In the pilot, there’s a sleeper cell of aliens. There’s this idea that friends and neighbors may not be who they say they are—that there are evil people living in the community.

You were born in Brazil but raised in New York. Were you torn or happy when Rio was awarded the Olympic Games?

I was happy. I think it will be really good for Rio. The economy in Brazil could use a boost…They have a joy for life in Brazil unlike any country I’ve ever seen.

What real-life leaders did you draw from to create your role as Anna?

I was influenced by the latest presidential election and had watched a lot of the debates. Anna is very political and diplomatic and knows how to get people to trust her. Getting people to trust them is what politicians do best.

In the original “V,” the character of Diana, the precursor to your role, famously eats a guinea pig. I hear you’re already sick of people asking which animal you’re going to eat.

I haven’t had to eat anything like that in any episode we’ve shot so far. But I’ve been told to brace myself. I was asked by the producer if I have any issues with rodents.

Huge spaceships hover above cities in “Independence Day” and “District 9” and your pilot. What is it about that image that grabs us?

I think it makes us feel very vulnerable. The sky above us is something we have very little control of, and the space beyond is something we don’t completely understand. The idea of a ship that comes from beyond is a very predatory thing. There’s something majestic about it as well—literally out of this world.

There’s a Morena Baccarin on Twitter. Is that you?

No—really?

Kind of interesting that you play an alien hiding her true identity in “V” and in real life someone’s stolen your identity.

Talk about irony.