Cast descriptions:

KRISTIN KREUK
as DETECTIVE CATHERINE CHANDLER



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Kristin Kreuk plays Detective Catherine Chandler, a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective who witnessed the murder of her mother at the hands of two gunmen when she was a teenager. Now, ten years later, Catherine is about to uncover the mystery of the “beast” that saved her.

Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., Kreuk began acting in plays in high school, but mostly focused on her schoolwork rather than the stage. Fate came calling at the beginning of her senior year when a casting director looking for new talent for the Canadian series “Edgemont” tapped Kreuk for a starring role. It was her first professional audition.

The next year, she not only scored the title role of the television movie “Snow White” opposite Miranda Richardson, she landed the lead role of Lana Lang on “Smallville” and managed to continue her role on “Edgemont.”

In addition to being a face of Neutrogena for six years, Kreuk performed a cameo in the film “Eurotrip,” opposite Matt Damon, starred in the miniseries “Earthsea,” opposite Isabella Rossellini, and starred in the Canadian feature “Partition,” opposite Jimi Mistry, as well as the feature “Streetfighter: The Legend of Chun Li” and the independent “Vampire.”

Kreuk also starred in the BBC re-telling of “Ben Hur,” “Chuck” and recently starred in the feature films “Ecstacy” and “Space Milkshake.”

Kreuk currently resides in Vancouver and, when she’s not working enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with friends and her dog Dublin.

JAY RYAN
as VINCENT KELLER/BEAST



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Jay Ryan plays named Vincent Keller, a military doctor who was reportedly killed while serving in Afghanistan. For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past ten years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.

As a native of New Zealand, Ryan is well known for his role as Jack Scully in that country’s long running series, “Neighbours.” Ryan’s other television credits include a guest starring role in Steven Spielberg’s “Terra Nova,” Television New Zealand’s “Go Girls,” as Kevin and as Frazer King in Ten’s exuberant drama “Off Spring,” set in Melbourne’s Fitzroy. Ryan also portrayed Seaman Billy ‘Spider’ Webb in three series of Nine Network’s “Sea Patrol,” “Legend of the Seeker” for the Starz Network, “Young Hercules,” “Xena: Warrior Princess” with Lucy Lawless, “Superfire,” “Being Eve,” “Interrogation,” “The Tribe” and “You Wish.”

On the big screen Ryan has been seen in Belinda Chayko’s “Lou,” co-starring John Hurt and Emily Barclay, as well as the AFTRS feature “The Rookie.” He has also appeared in the short films “Bleeders,” “Mockingbird” and “Franswa Sharl” directed by Hannah Hilliard.

Ryan is also no stranger to theater. He has appeared in numerous theater productions, including “Anthony and Cleopatra,” “John Cleese - His Life,” “John Cleese - Seven Ways,” “Legacy,” “To Skin an Ocelot” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” for the Auckland Theatre Company. He also starred in “The Packer,” which began as a one-man show at the Edinburgh Festival and went on to tour Australia and Los Angeles. “The Packer” was nominated for Best International Contribution to Los Angeles Theater.

Ryan will next be seen co-starring in the BBC/Sundance Channel miniseries “Top of The Lake,” written and directed by multiple award winner Jane Campion.

MAX BROWN
as EVAN MARKS



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Max Brown plays Evan Marks, the medical examiner who works with Catherine Chandler (Kristin Kreuk). They have a fun, flirtatious relationship that could easily turn into something deeper – if Cat would let that happen.

Originally from Yorkshire, England, Brown first appeared on our screens in the long-running BBC series “Grange Hill.” He has gone onto appear in many popular television shows, and is best known to audiences for his role in “The Tudors,” in which he starred opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Brown also starred in the popular British series “MI-5” and the BBC series “Mistresses.” Other credits include the feature film “Turistas” opposite Josh Duhamel and Olivia Wilde, and the forthcoming feature film “Departure Date,” from director Kat Coiro.

AUSTIN BASIS
as J.T. FORBES



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Austin Basis plays J.T. Forbes, the childhood friend of Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan), who has been helping Keller guard his terrible secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Basis attended Binghamton University, where he received a BA in Theatre. He was then accepted to The Actors Studio Drama School, where he received an MFA in Acting. After graduating, Austin became a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. There he had the privilege to work with the likes of Al Pacino, Faye Dunaway and Estelle Parsons; and under the tutelage of Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, Martin Landau, Arthur Penn, Lou Antonio & Mark Rydell. In addition to several productions at The Actors Studio, he also co-created and performed in an improv and sketch comedy show in New York City called “Mmm… Comedy.”

Basis made his television debut in the Comedy Central film “Porn 'n' Chicken,” but his big break came in 2004 when he was cast in an episode of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” Basis has appeared on numerous television shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Necessary Roughness,” “Supernatural,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “NCIS,” “Life on Mars” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” He also played Math for two seasons on The CW drama “Life Unexpected.”

Basis also starred in the Warner Bros. web series “Ghostfacers,” a spin-off of the “Supernatural” episode of the same name. His film credits include “J. Edgar,” “The Other End of the Line,” “My Sassy Girl,” “American Zombie,” “Boxboarders!,” “Re-Cut” and “Dorian Blues.”

Basis has been featured in national commercial spots for State Farm, Burger King, Toys ‘R’ Us, Wendy’s, Dr. Peppe and AT&T. He also portrayed Benjamin Bankes the Pig in the Ad Council’s “Feed the Pig” PSA campaign. Basis recently published his first book of poetry called: “An Actor Without An Audience: Poetry for Artists, Lovers & Everymen.”

NINA LISANDRELLO
as TESS VARGAS



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Nina Lisandrello plays Tess Vargas, a police detective partnered with Catherine Chandler (Kristin Kreuk). The two women make a good team, and have become close friends while working on countless homicide cases.

Born in New York, Lisandrello has appeared on numerous television shows including “Nurse Jackie,” “Law and Order,” “Mercy” and “Conviction.” She also recently starred in the films “The Bleeding House,” “Pre” and “The Best and The Brightest,” alongside Neil Patrick Harris.

BRIAN WHITE
as JOE BISHOP



In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Brian White plays Joe Bishop, Catherine Chandler’s (Kristin Kreuk) tough-but-fair boss.

A Boston native and son of a licensed financial consultant mother and professional basketball player father (legend JoJo White of the Boston Celtics), White was instilled with the importance of both sports and education throughout his childhood. He studied Political Science, psychology and theatre at Dartmouth College.

White continued to play football and lacrosse throughout his college years and upon graduation was signed by both an NFL (New England Patriots) and NLL (Boston Blazers) team. In 2000, due to an injury, White made the transition from professional athlete to investment broker. Later, a chance meeting with an entertainment executive led him to leave the world of finance to begin a new career in modeling and eventually acting.

White recently starred in Tyler Perry’s romantic drama “Good Deeds,” and in Joss Whedon’s horror film “The Cabin in the Woods.” Other notable film credits include Tyler Perry's “I Can Do Bad All by Myself,” “Fighting,” “12 Rounds,” “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale,” “Stomp the Yard,” “The Game Plan,” the Bollywood romantic comedy film “Politics of Love,” “The Family Stone” and “Brick.”

White is most recognizable to television audiences as Detective Tavon Garris on the crime drama “The Shield.” Other television credits include the popular role of Marcus in “Men of A Certain Age,” “Moonlight,” “Moesha,” “The Parkers,” and “Second Time Around,” as well as “Spyder Games.”

White is co-founder of a multitude of ventures including the Helping Hands Celebrity Weekend (HHCW) in St. Thomas, US VI, which creates a unique arena where members of the entertainment industry, professional athletes and corporate leaders can unite and support one another's charitable efforts; Black Carpenter (www.BlackCarpenter.org), which is a multi-platform youth empowerment brand that includes a book, feature documentary and speaking tour designed to create a “tool box” that represents the essential life skills for building a successful next generation; a professional dance company/community youth outreach organization called Phunk Phenomenon Urban Dance Theatre. He is also a founding partner of a full-service film, television and broadband production company based in Los Angeles, California.