Where Are They Now?
We’re sick of it too. So we Fixed it.
Are you Roswellians as tired as we are of seeing “WHERE ARE THEY NOW?” articles about our beloved OG Roswell cast, only to find they’re missing all the good stuff? And what about us Dans, who barely see B+T mentioned in these so-called “updates”? Yeah, we hear you.
Too many writers are just recycling old, poorly researched articles. A quick Google search would do better! But here at The Crashdown, we’re doing it RIGHT. We’re creating the ultimate “WHERE ARE THEY NOW?” article, packed with all the info you really want to know.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of our beloved Roswell series, we’ll be revealing cast members on social media periodically. By the end of the month, you’ll get the full scoop here on your favorite OG Roswell website.
Get ready for the real “WHERE ARE THEY NOW?” article, because this one will put all the others to shame!
Happy Anniversary!
The Ultimate WHERE ARE THEY NOW? article
for our beloved Roswell cast—finally putting the others to rest!
It just takes four chords of Dido’s “Here With Me” and the opening theme of ROSWELL starts playing in your inner eye.
For three sci-fi, romance, action and alien packed seasons fans could enjoy a total of 61 episodes, which would translate to a running time of six seasons of the nowadays television world. Speaking of the preferred way to consume shows and movies, the streaming, new fans are discovering the show daily and original fans are introducing ROSWELL to new generations.
The show, created by Jason Katims, is based on the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns premiered on October 6, 1999 on The WB network.
Because its devoted and passionate fanbase ROSWELL was saved from cancellation not once but twice by sending Tabasco bottles to The WB who picked the show up for a 2nd season and later UPN where the final season of ROSWELL aired.
With the premiere of ROSWELL a big online community started to grow with fanpages, fanforums, message boards, live chats and charity campaigns.
Even decades later, both original and new fans continue to show their passion for the show, remaining loyal to its beloved cast and creators by following their journeys long after the series ended. The rise of social media has only amplified the fandom’s excitement, bringing their enthusiasm to new heights!
As the 25th anniversary approaches, it’s the perfect time for a rewatch! The newly launched podcast by former ROSWELL cast members Majandra Delfino and Brendan Fehr invites fans to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Not only will listeners gain new insights into their time on the show, but they’ll also hear untold stories from special guests—and fun fact: Majandra and Brendan were actually dating back then! Plus, Majandra’s teenage diary even makes an appearance on this exciting new podcast. (Just be prepared to pick a side!)
In the articles below, we’ll be spotlighting the post-ROSWELL work of the cast, sharing all the info you’ve been dying to know… with a little Roswell flair. So, WHERE ARE THEY NOW, and what amazing projects have they been a part of since this iconic show opened incredible doors for these talented stars?
GET READY and STAY TUNED!
The cast
Shiri Appleby
When you are visiting Shiri Appleby’s IMDB page ROSWELL currently doesn’t make it to her “Best known for” top 4 list, but one of her hit shows that made her a household name. Shiri is still working in front of the camera, but she also moved behind the camera into the director’s chair. Over the years she has expanded her directors’ credits directing the most coveted shows on television from Black-ish, Grown-ish, Young Sheldon and most recently Unprisoned starring Kerry Washington.
After Roswell wrapped Shiri acted in several movies. She came back on the television screen for the final season of Emergency Room. One trivia fact about that, Shiri played a patient in the very first episode of the show before she was hired to play Dr. Daria Wade for its 15th season.
As Cate Cassidy, Shiri played a radio host and mom of a teenager on Life Unexpected. Described as Juno meets Gilmore Girls the show was about her daughter coming back into her life, whom she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. Fun fact fellow Roswell guest-star, Kristoffer Polaha, who is in the episode I Married an Alien, is also a consonant cast member on the show as Shiri’s past love interest and biological father of the daughter she gave up for adoption.
While Shiri was working in front of the camera, she starred but also produced and first-time directed on the online web show Dating Rules from My Future Self that later made it on Hulu.
The actress soon-to-be-producer shadowed producer and director Elizabeth Allen on Dating Rules and took the chance to learn and shadow other directors after that as well.
“Everyone has a way into the directing chair and Dating Rules From My Future Self was mine,” Shiri wrote in a post for #FemaleFilmakerFriday back in 2018. Started by ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s’ co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna, the hashtag was launched to highlight women and their work behind the camera and to inspire.
She continued in that post on Instagram saying, “During the shows first season I worked as a producer, and actress. Experiencing the process as it unfolded led me to asking if I could come onboard as a director during the shows second season. I’m grateful to Les Morgenstein for saying yes and giving me my start.”
In 2012, Roswell alums Shiri Appleby and Colin Hanks reunited for a fun collaboration on a short film for Yahoo’s weekly comedy series, Sketchy. The 6-minute clip featured Colin Hanks alongside Alison Becker, who had worked with Shiri on Dating Rules. Adding her directorial flair, Shiri Appleby took the helm, making this quirky project a delightful nod to their shared history.
“Working today with @ShiriAppleby after a 13 year break. Feels like the WB except she’s directing and there are no school lockers around,” Colin wrote on Twitter.
She made several guest appearances on TV shows such as Franklin & Bash or Chicago Fire, starred in two short films and several movies. While shadowing on the critically acclaimed HBO show Girls, Shiri got the offer for a role. She landed a four-episode story arc on the series’ second season.
While working on the horror movie Devil’s Candy shot in the Austin, Texas area the ATX TV Festival took place featuring the 15th Anniversary of Roswell panel. That was when Shiri reunited with the ROSWELL cast members Jason Behr, Brendan Fehr, Majandra Delfino and Nick Wechsler and a lot of nostalgia was in the air.
Before landing her breakout role on UnREAL, Shiri had already expanded her acting portfolio with several other notable projects.
The critically acclaimed drama UnREAL ran for four seasons and won several awards. It moved from Lifetime to a final season on Hulu and at the show, Shiri was given the opportunity to direct four episodes while she was starring in front of the camera playing one of the leads.
When Corona shut down productions and life slowed down and changed, Shiri put an amazing newsletter together. She started sharing all the things that are helping to find motivation and feeling positive. Subscribers got some good tips for gardening, crafting beyond other things as well. She fittingly named her newsletter SHIRI SHARES and definitely helped during this difficult time to focus on positive things.
Shiri met her husband through a mutual friend. The couple has two children. Shiri gave birth to a girl in March 2013 and she and her fiancé announced her second pregnancy in August 2015.
Shiri Appleby’s directing career has taken off, with her name appearing in the credits of popular shows like Mixed-ish, Queens, Black-ish, The Wonder Years, Grown-ish, New Amsterdam, Young Sheldon, and Unprisoned. Before this, she directed Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and Light as a Feather. Shiri later expressed her passion for directing Roswell, New Mexico, bringing a fresh vision to the reimagining of the Roswell High books.
Though she’s transitioned behind the camera, Shiri is still open to acting. She directed two episodes of Roswell, New Mexico—including one featuring her former Roswell co-star Jason Behr—and made a guest appearance in three episodes. Instead of reprising her iconic Liz Parker role, she played Allie, a brilliant scientist with ties to Liz Ortecho in the Season 3 finale. Her appearance was a clever nod to her Roswell legacy while offering a new take on the reimagining. Most recently, Shiri popped up in the Netflix film Your Place or Mine.
While we’d love to mention all of Shiri Appleby’s amazing work, we asked fellow fans to share their favorites. Topping the list were the films Pizza My Heart and Everything You Want, both of which were mentioned frequently as beloved all-time favorites. On the TV side, Life Unexpected and UnREAL were standout picks. Fans also highlighted her 2013 Christmas movie Kristin’s Christmas Past, which has become a yearly rewatch tradition for many. Her directing work was also celebrated, with her contributions to Roswell, New Mexico—both behind the camera and in her guest-starring role—being a clear fan-favorite.
Shiri attended her first fan convention in March 2024. 90’s Con in Hartford reunited the actress with her former on screen partner Jason Behr and co-stars Majandra Delfino and Brendan Fehr. This happened to be the first event which officially reunited Roswell cast members since they celebrated the 15th Anniversary at the ATX Television Festival in 2014.
It was truly a hallmark for Roswellians everywhere, a moment that will be forever frozen in time.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for Shiri.
Please let us know in the comments which project of hers do you love the most and would recommend every fan to watch and which show did you watch when her name as director was seen on your TV screen.
Thanks to all the fans who replied to our question about your favorite project(s) of Shiri!
Pictures © Shiri Appleby’s Instagram, Liz Tigelaar’s LIFE UNEXPECTED page, Colin Hanks’ Instagram, Lena, Lifetime UnREAL, Nomi