Long before earning international acclaim and a posthumous Academy Award for his iconic portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, an 18-year-old Heath Ledger took on his first major television starring role in the 1997 Fox fantasy adventure series Roar. Spearheading the network’s summer programming block, the ambitious production aimed to capture the mythological adventure tone popularized by syndicated hits like Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Despite a committed network rollout, high production aspirations, and a talented future-star-studded ensemble, Roar struggled to find a sustainable television audience, leading to an early cancellation after airing just eight of its initial 13 ordered episodes.
The Premise and Mythology of Roar
Set in 5th-century Ireland around 400 A.D., Roar followed a young Celtic prince named Conor, played by Ledger, whose family and clan were violently murdered during the Roman conquest. Tasked with inheriting the responsibility for his surviving people, Conor sought to unite rival Celtic tribes against the invading Roman forces. The series’ core concept revolved around the “roar”-a symbolic voice representing the power and life force of every living being, functioning similarly to a Celtic adaptation of the Force.
As Conor traversed the rugged landscapes to build a rebellion, he assembled a loyal band of allies. This group included Catlin, an escaped Roman slave portrayed by future Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga; Fergus, a boisterous and protective warrior played by John Saint Ryan; and Tully, an aspiring magic user portrayed by Alonzo Greer. Together, they navigated a realm populated by banshees, druids, and sprites while directly opposing Roman authority in the region.
Formidable Rivals and Production Hurdles
The Roman occupation in Roar was personified by the Roman-aligned Queen Diana, played by Lisa Zane, and her supernatural right-hand adviser, Gaius Cassius Longinus, portrayed by Sebastian Roché. In the show’s lore, Longinus was depicted as a 400-year-old immortal cursed to walk the earth after participating in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, driven primarily by a personal quest to find the Spear of Destiny to end his own suffering.
Despite these intriguing mythological elements and high production values, the series faced heavy turbulence. In a 2017 interview with TVLine, cast member Sebastian Roché reflected fondly on the gorgeous shooting locations and wonderful atmosphere on set, noting that the cast already sensed Ledger was destined for major stardom. However, Roché pointed to a brutal scheduling obstacle that ultimately derailed the show’s momentum: direct competition against Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Coupled with steep production costs for a 1990s television budget, Roar failed to generate the sustained ratings Fox required. In September 1997, the network pulled the plug after broadcasting only eight episodes. The remaining five unaired episodes were eventually burned off during the summer of 2000, and the complete series later saw a limited, out-of-print DVD release.
Legacy of an Ambitious Genre Experiment
Though largely remembered today as a historical footnote in television history primarily driven by Ledger’s early involvement, Roar launched the careers of multiple industry heavyweights. Following the show’s demise, both Heath Ledger and Vera Farmiga achieved immense critical and commercial success in Hollywood. Writer Lawrence Meyers later described Roar in 2009 as a bold and daring experiment for the traditionally quiet summer television season that simply arrived ahead of its time.
While the series never secured a formal second season, tie-in media such as the prequel novel Roar: The Novel and the story continuation Roar: The Cauldron expanded its universe briefly before fading into out-of-print rarity. Today, the short-lived fantasy entry remains a fascinating artifact for fans examining the early formative screen work of one of cinema’s most legendary performers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Heath Ledger’s role in Roar?
Heath Ledger starred as Conor, a young Celtic prince who tries to unite rival tribes and fight back against Roman occupation after his family is murdered.
When did Roar air and why was it canceled?
Roar premiered on Fox in July 1997. It was canceled after airing just eight episodes due to high production costs, low ratings, and stiff competition from popular genre shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Who else starred in the television series Roar?
Alongside Heath Ledger, the series featured Vera Farmiga as Catlin, Sebastian Roché as Longinus, Lisa Zane as Queen Diana, and John Saint Ryan as Fergus.
How many episodes of Roar were produced?
Fox ordered 13 episodes for the first season. Only eight episodes aired during the initial 1997 run, while the final five unaired episodes were broadcast later in the summer of 2000.
Where can viewers watch Roar today?
The series had a limited and now out-of-print DVD release, but episodes have occasionally been made available for streaming on digital platforms like YouTube.
