Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin (born June 2, 1979) is a Brazilian actress of Italian origins, best known for her role as Inara Serra in the short-lived sci-fi television series Firefly and the follow-up movie Serenity. Morena was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her mother is Brazilian stage and TV actress Vera Setta.

Biography

Early life

When she was 10, Baccarin moved with her family to Greenwich Village, New York, in the United States. She later attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (the high school featured in the movie Fame) before she entered the theater program at Juilliard. Wes Bentley and Glenn Howerton were both classmates there.

Acting

Baccarin landed her first movie role in the improvised fashion world comedy Perfume (2001). This was followed by a lead role in the film festival hit Way Off Broadway (2001). Shortly before moving to Los Angeles, Baccarin appeared with Natalie Portman and understudied for her role in the acclaimed Central Park production of The Seagull. Firefly was Baccarin's first television show, and she reprised her role in the 2005 film Serenity.
In February 2005, Baccarin provided the voice for Black Canary in multiple episodes of the animated series Justice League Unlimited. She also guest starred in two episodes of the television series The O.C. in 2006. Morena also acted in an unaired pilot episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, playing Carmen, a male-to-female transsexual. The episode was never aired on television, as it was used simply to pitch the show to FX executives. The scene is available on the Seasons 1 & 2 DVD release of the show. Interestingly, Glenn Howerton of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame, would later appear in a minor role in the Joss Whedon film, Serenity, also starring Baccarin.
In April 2006, it was announced that Morena would be playing the adult version of Adria, a recurring villain in the tenth season of Stargate SG-1. She first appeared in season 10 episode "Counterstrike" as adult Adria (the younger versions of Adria were previously played by other actresses). She appeared on the November 6, 2006, broadcast of How I Met Your Mother; Barney, whom she mistakenly calls "Swarley" (portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris), commented that her character had "crazy eyes." On December 22, 2006, she appeared in a supporting role as Lisa Cruz on Justice, the FOX network television show. On February 16, 2007, she appeared in an episode of Las Vegas as Sara Samari.
Morena will also be in the upcoming movie , reprising her role as Adria.