Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images; John Shearer/Getty Images; AP Photo/Dan SteinbergChuck Bartowski just scored himself one mighty fine Cylon.
Multiple sources confirm Battlestar babe Tricia Helfer will join NBC's Chuck later this season as a new honey for Chuck himself, Zachary Levi.
Now, some of you fans may be asking, "Wait a minute! This doesn't mean Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah) is leaving Chuck, does it?!"
And also, will Tricia stick around?
I have the exclusive dish on that and more, direct from Chuck boss Josh Schwartz (who admits he's a huge Battlestar fan)...
As first reported by my frienemy Michael Ausiello, after the big bosses start worrying about how close Chuck has gotten to Sarah, they assign guest star Tricia Helfer, aka Special Agent Alex Forrest, to partner with Chuck instead.
Is she a permanent replacement? No. Network sources assure me, "Yvonne is our star and not going anywhere." Holler.
According to Josh Schwartz: "Yvonne is amazing, and continues to do incredible work. But that doesn't mean that life isn't complicated for Sarah Walker...and Chuck Bartowski. There are real obstacles to the relationship between Chuck and Sarah. One, her feelings could compromise her ability to do her job and cost Chuck his life. And two, it's a big no-no from the CIA and NSA to have an agent fall for one of its assets. Even the possibility could cost her her job."
Helfer is only slated for one episode for the time being, but Josh tells me they would love to have her back.
"As you would expect from a show like Chuck, there are many rabid Battlestar fans amongst us," Josh says. "And so Tricia is someone we have definitely wanted to work with. We are introducing this character in an episode this season, but she's definitely someone that General Beckman has at the ready and is a great threat that the audience knows is out there in a (knock on wood) season three..."
Want more Helfer-related excitement? Because Six and all her Cylon friends are finally back in January, and the first promo for Battlestar Galactica 4.5 was just posted online. Check it out:
Now, take our Tricia Helfer poll below and post your take on this casting news in the comments.