Halston Sage

> *It's very funny, but it's very grounded in reality, and portraying a very comfortable future, which is reassuring.*— Halston Sage
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**Halston Sage** is an American actress who plays the Xelayan crew member Alara Kitan on *The Orville*. Sage made a surprise departure from the show in the middle of Season 2. The reason for her exit is unknown. She also appeared as Alara Kitan in *Future Unknown*, the finale of the third season, credited as a special guest star.

## Background

Halston Sage was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.

She has played roles in films such as *Neighbors*, *Paper Towns*, *Before I Fall*, and *The Last Summer*. She also had experience with television before the Orville, starring in the main cast of Nickelodeon's *How to Rock* in and NBC's *Crisis*. After leaving the Orville she is currently starring in the Fox television series *Prodigal Son*.

## The Orville

### Season 1

Halston Sage and Penny Johnson Jerald were cast as series regulars in The Orville on October 31, 2016. Halston later recalled: "I fell in love with the script the moment I read it. Even though it's a sci-fi world, there's humanity to the stories." She felt grateful to creator Seth MacFarlane for casting her for the first time in her life in the role of a strong woman. "I've never been considered. No one's ever believed that I could do that."

### Season 2 and departure

During Paleyfest 2018, Halston said that she was looking forward to Alara's development as a character during Season 2, expressing interest in having her possibly settle down in a serious relationship and to explore Xelaya. In fact, Halston was subtly referring to dialogue in the episode *Home* wherein her character would leave the show.

After filming of *Home* had ended, Sage told the production staff that she desired to return to the show.

On January 14, 2019, 20th Century Fox officially confirmed that the episode *Home* was Sage's final appearance on The Orville "but that the door remained open for her to return in the future." Sage made a surprise return cameo in *The Road Not Taken*, although she did not rejoin the cast as a permanent member.

"Halston is a friend of ours," executive producer David A. Goodman later reflected. "She didn't leave under bad circumstances, and she was in communication with us. She reached out, it might have been to Seth, actually, and we asked if she wanted to come back just for one episode, and she said 'absolutely.'"

Regardless, the reason for Sage's sudden departure is not entirely clear. She stated that it wasn't because she had another project lined up. "It wasn’t about a choice,” Sage later said. “It was what was best for the show at the time. When Orville ended I was just out there auditioning like everyone else."

### Possible return

When asked if Sage could return for the third season, Goodman said:

> *Halston is a friend of the show. We love her and would definitely want to figure out ways that she can come back. I don’t think she is coming back as a regular. But, we love that character and we love her and so if there is an opportunity to bring her back story-wise, I think she would be open to it and we would love to have her back.*
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 Sage's Alara Kitan character appeared in the season finale, *Future Unknown*, attending the wedding of Claire Finn and Isaac.

## Trivia

* Alara Kitan is Halston Sage's first role in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy series.

* She rode horses competitively for eight years

* Halston was nominated for the "Best Kiss" MTV Movie Award from her performance with Rose Byrne.

* She was the editor of her high school newspaper.

* Halston is "terrified" of heights. She claims filming *Firestorm* with Adrianne Palicki during the abyss scene forced Sage to confront her fear.

## References

1. ↑ @TheOrville. ""I fell in love with the script the moment I read it. Even though it's a sci-fi world, there's humanity to the stories." - @halstonsage". Twitter. July 22, 2017.
2. ↑ "THE ORVILLE Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Scott Grimes, Halston Sage & Penny Jerald interview". *bigfanboy*. Sept. 10, 2017.
3. ↑  AfterBuzz TV - Halston Sage is interviewed about her role on "The Orville". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mySWH\_EPFqU&t=56s
4. ↑  Video: THE ORVILLE SEASON 2: Halston Sage is breaking hearts, breaking rules & breaking doors! by Tanavi P https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCuw3BLp9g&t=19s
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 David A. Goodman, Executive Producer and Writer. Quantum Drive. May 10, 2022.
6. ↑ Lovett, Jamie. "'The Orville': FOX Confirms Halston Sage's Exit". *ComicBook*. Jan. 14, 2019.
7. ↑ Topel, Fred. "Why Halston Sage Left ‘The Orville’ and What She’s Doing Next". *Showbiz Cheat Sheet*. Aug. 11, 2019.
8. ↑ Pascale, Anthony. "Interview: David A. Goodman On How ‘The Orville’ Wrapped Up Season Two And Where It Could Go Next". *TrekMovie*. May 3, 2019.
9. ↑ The Orville: Halston Sage at PaleyFest 2018. High Voltage. March 18, 2018.