Classically trained New Zealand actor Jonathan Hardy has been the voice behind Rygel from the start of the programme. He has appeared in numerous films and TV series from the early seventies on, including playing alongside Anthony Simcoe in Mr Reliable.

As well as his acting work, he is an accomplished playwright and screenwriter. His screenplay for Breaker Morant, a 1980 film about three Australian officers during the Boer War was Oscar nominated. As if that wasn�t enough, he also lists operatic singing, directing and poetry amongst his skills.

Since the start of season two, he�s added puppetry to his CV - as well as voicing Rygel he controls his lips and mouth. Alert viewers may have spotted his one Farscape foray in front of the cameras - playing the Kahaynu in the Look at the Princess trilogy.

Strangely, Hardy, like Rygel, has very bushy eyebrows.

Read our character profile of Rygel XVIII.