MATTHEW SETTLE (John Woodson)

Mr. Settle headlined the talented cast in TNT’s epic six-week television event, Into the West, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and produced by DreamWorks. He starred as the young Warren Beatty in the 2004 ABC Premiere Event, The Mystery of Natalie Wood, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Starring opposite Ashley Judd in director Callie Khouri's Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Settle played her true love, an ill-fated soldier who is lost to war.

With upcoming films including Rancid and Until the Night, his feature credits include U-571, Attraction and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer with Jennifer Love Hewitt. On television, he portrayed the legendary Captain Ronald Speirs in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks award-winning HBO production of "Band of Brothers" and starred opposite Ann-Margaret in "A Place Called Home" for Hallmark. He also played the character of Brian Westlake for a season of the hit series, "ER."

Settle was born the youngest of six to a Baptist preacher in North Carolina and grew up in Tennessee. At eighteen, he left home to become an actor in New York City. In Manhattan, he met Jay Julien, a well-known attorney associated with such talents as Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken. Recognizing the young actor’s potential, Julien awarded him a three-year scholarship to study with acclaimed acting coach, William Esper.

Before earning his SAG card, Settle landed a role in a CBS pilot of western writer Louis L’Amour’s "Shaughnessy," produced by Leonard Hill. Hill subsequently cast Settle alongside Ellen Burstyn, Kristin Davis, and Peter Boyle in the television movie, "A Deadly Vision." He next starred with Margot Kidder in "Crime in Connecticut: The Story of Alex Kelly" and went on to co-star as a young Bugsy Siegel opposite Richard Dreyfuss’s Meyer Lansky in HBO's biopic, "Lansky."

THOMAS KRETSCHMANN (Wil)

Mr. Kretschmann is best known to U.S. audiences for his critically acclaimed portrayal of the compassionate Nazi officer who spares the life of Adrien Brody's Wladyslaw Szpilman in Roman Polanski's Academy Award-winning The Pianist.

Thomas plays Captain Englehorn in the Peter Jackson film, "King Kong," also starring Noami Watts, Jack Black and Adrian Brody. He played Charlize Theron’s love interest in John Duigan’s drama Head in the Clouds, also starring Pene´lope Cruz and Stuart Townsend. He co-starred in the feature films In Enemy Hands with William H. Macy and Lauren Holly, and Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning The Pianist. Kretschmann’s additional credits include U-571 with Matthew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel for director Jonathan Mostow, and Blade II, among others. On television, Kretschmann had a recurring role on "24," was a guest star on "Karen Sisco," and in addition he co-starred in the cable movie "Esther." Thomas recently appeared in director Marcus Nispel’s "Dean Kootz’s Frankenstein" on the USA Network.

While training as a swimmer in East Germany, Kretschmann decided to pursue an acting career and escaped the Communist country via three different countries before being granted political asylum in West Berlin. After three years of studying acting, he was invited to be a member of Schillertheatre, the national theatre of Berlin. 1n 1991, Kretschmann made his film debut in Der Mitwisser, which earned him Germany's prestigious Max Ophüls Prize as Best Up-and-Coming Actor. When he appeared in the World War II epic Stalingrad, his performance launched him into the international limelight. He went on to star in Queen Margot, Marching in the Dark, Dario Argento's The Stendahl Syndrome and Prince Valiant.

SARAH WAYNE CALLIES (Marjorie)

Ms. Callies has quickly established herself as a talent to watch. She makes her feature film debut in The Celestine Prophecy.

Callies currently stars on the Golden Globe winning FOX series "Prison Break." The series follows the struggles of a man (Wentworth Miller) who purposely orchestrates his own incarceration in order to save his brother (Dominic Purcell), wrongly convicted on Death Row. Callies plays the prison's doctor, 'Sara Tancredi,' who Miller's character winds up visiting more often than he'd like.

Callies will star on the big screen in Stewart Hendler's thriller, "Hellion" (formerly known as "Whisper"). The film is about a young boy who is kidnapped in a small New England town. Callies stars as the lead opposite Josh Holloway and Dule Hill. "Hellion" is set for release in Spring/Summer 2006.

Additional television credits include the role of 'Officer Jane Porter' on the WB's "Tarzan" as well as a recurring role on CBS' "Queens Supreme" with Oliver Platt. Callies has also appeared on "Law & Order: SVU," "Numb3rs" and "Dragnet."

Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Callies is the daughter of university professors who placed a strong emphasis on education. Callies earned undergraduate degrees in drama and feminist studies and a senior fellowship in indigenous theology from Dartmouth College, she attended the National Theater Conservatory in Denver where she earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree.

Callies moved to New York to begin her acting career. Her first professional role was opposite Oliver Platt’s "Queens Supreme," which was followed by appearances on "Law and Order: SVU" and the "L.A. Dragnet" television series. Chosen as one of the new faces of L'Ore´al, she is featured in advertising campaigns for the international cosmetics company.

ANNABETH GISH (Julia)

Ms. Gish is one of the most consistently impressive and diverse young actresses working today. Gish, who plays President Bartlett's older daughter on NBC's Emmy winning drama, "The West Wing," and recently starred in the independent feature film, Knots.

Gish first gained the attention of critics and moviegoers at the age of thirteen when, according to film critic Roger Ebert, she delivered a performance of "stunning power" in the feature film Desert Bloom. She went on to star in the acclaimed Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts and in the films, Double Jeopardy, Wyatt Earp, Beautiful Girls and Oliver Stone’s Nixon in which she played Tricia Nixon. The actress has appeared in numerous telefilms and series, most recently starring in the Hallmark production of "Life on Liberty Street" and opposite Tom Berenger and Cybil Shepard in the mini-series "Detective," a psychological thriller for the USA Network. Gish previously portrayed FBI Special Agent Monica Reyes on Fox's critically acclaimed series "The X-Files."

Gish attended Duke University, graduating cum laude with a degree in English.

HECTOR ELIZONDO (Cardinal Sebastian)

Mr. Elizondo is a four-time Emmy nominee who received the prestigious award in 1997 as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Dr. Phillip Watters on CBS' "Chicago Hope."

Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his memorable portrayal of a hotel manager in the mega feature hit Pretty Woman. Elizondo is one of those rare actors who continues to move back and forth freely between starring roles on Broadway, television and feature films.

Elizondo has appeared in over 80 films, including Raising Helen, Princess Diaries I & II, Tortilla Soup, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Beverly Hills Cop III, Getting Even With Dad and Frankie and Johnny.

A native New Yorker, he first gained recognition on the New York stage for his portrayal of God in "Steambath," a performance which earned him an Obie Award. He received critical acclaim for roles in the Broadway productions of Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," "The Great White Hope," the revival of Arthur Miller’s "The Price" opposite Eli Wallach, and "Sly Fox," for which he also received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

JOAQUIM DE ALMEIDA (Father Sanchez)

Mr. De Almeida has appeared in over forty feature films in Europe and the United States and worked with some of the world's most distinguished actors and directors.

De Almeida made his American film debut in The Soldier and went on to appear opposite Richard Gere and Michael Caine in Honorary Consul. He starred with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey, Jr. in Norman Jewison's Only You and opposite Harrison Ford in Philip Noyce's Clear and Present Danger. He most recently starred with Daryl Hannah and Denise Richards in Luna's Yo Puta (The Whore), the latest in a string of European film productions in which he stars.

Other notable films include Robert Rodriguez's Desperado with Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, John Moore's Behind Enemy Lines opposite Gene Hackman, and Sostiene Pereira opposite Marcello Mastroianni.

Among his many television credits are recurring roles on NBC's hit series, "The West Wing" and FOX's award-winning "24" with Keifer Sutherland. De Almeida's American stage work includes the Kennedy Center production of "The Count of Monte Cristo," directed by Peter Sellars, as well as productions by the Lee Strasberg Institute and the New York Shakespeare Festival. De Almeida divides his time between homes in his native Portugal and Los Angeles.

JURGEN PROCHNOW (Robert Jensen)

Mr. Prochnow has appeared in over fifty feature films and countless television productions in the United States and Europe. He plays Andre´ Vernet in the upcoming DaVinci Code. A native of Germany born in Dusseldorf, Prochnow is best known for his unforgettable performance as the submarine commander in the gripping drama, Das Boot.

Prochnow appeared with Yun-Fat Chow and Mira Sorvino in Antoine Fuqua's The Replacement Killers and opposite Harrison Ford in Wolfgang Peterson's Air Force One. Among his many film credits are Anthony Minghella's The English Patient, David Lynch's Dune, A Dry White Season, Judge Dredd, Beverly Hills Cop II and John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness.

CASTULO GUERRA (Father Jose)

Mr. Guerra recently appeared in the epic film, The Alamo. In the early 1980s, he starred in the hit series, "Falcon Crest" and later in the popular daytime drama, "Santa Barbara." Making his 1983 feature debut in the comedy, Two of a Kind, with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, he has since appeared in such films as Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Usual Suspects, Amistad, Nuts, When the River Runs Black, Blake Edwards’ A Fine Mess and The Mexican. Guerra’s numerous television movie credits include "Live From Bagdad," "The Perfect Getaway" and "Robin Cook’s Invasion." Born in Argentina, the actor has also played recurring roles in popular series such as "ER."

OBBA BABATUNDE´ (Miguel)

Mr. Babatunde´ is one of the busiest actors working in Hollywood today. An awardwinning performer, producer and actor, his most recent films are Brett Ratner's After the Sunset with Pierce Brosnan and Selma Hayek and Jonathan Demme's remake of The Manchurian Candidate opposite Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.

Babatunde´ often finds himself juggling simultaneous projects in film, television and on stage. Shooting Universal Pictures’ "How High" opposite Redman and Method Man, he was also finishing the two hour season finale of Lifetime's "Any Day Now." While starring on Broadway musical "Chicago," he was cast as the narrator and Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence’s fellow convict in the dramatic comedy, Life, his character aging forty years over the course of the picture. While filming John Q opposite Denzel Washington and Robert Duvall, he managed to fit in the Showtime series, "Soul Food."

Among the actor’s other notable film credits are That Thing You Do! with Tom Hanks, Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia and Silence of the Lambs, The Temptations and Soul of the Game.

Babatunde´ was honored with an NAACP Image Award nomination for his portrayal of the legendary Harold Nicholas opposite Halle Berry in HBO’s critically acclaimed "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge."

Previously, he received Emmy and Cable ACE Award nominations for the role as Willie Johnson in HBO's "Miss Evers' Boys."

On Broadway, Babatunde´ is perhaps best known for his Tony-nominated portrayal of C.C. White in the original Broadway production of "Dreamgirls." Other unforgettable performances include his magical turn as legendary jazz artist Jelly Roll Morton in the world premiere of "Jelly's Last Jam," Hal Prince's "Grind" and "Timbuktu."

ROBYN COHEN (Charlene)

Ms. Cohen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Julliard and studied at the prestigious Stella Adler Conservatory before beginning her professional acting career.

Cohen has appeared in the independent films, Der Apfel, My Friend’s Love Affair, Love for Love, and in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. She recently completed production on Fool’s Gold and The Strand.

On stage, she starred as Masha in the Peter Levin-directed Interact Theater Company production of "The Three Sisters," a performance which earned her nominations for the Los Angeles Weekly Theater Award as Best Actress and the Backstage Garland Award for Best Female Performer. Among her other noteworthy theater appearances is the role as Kit Kat Girl in the national touring company of "Cabaret."

JOHN AYLWARD (Professor Dobson)

Mr. Aylward is best known for the role of Dr. Donald Anspaugh on the hit series, "ER." Aylward’s career encompasses film, television and stage with most recent appearances in Down With Love with Renee Zellwegger and Ewan MacGregror and Joel Schumacher’s Bad Company with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock and Roger Donaldson’s historical thriller Thirteen Days with Kevin Costner. Among his many other screen credits are Instinct, Armageddon, Finding Graceland, Buddy and Eden.

Aylward has appeared in numerous television movies and mini-series including his portrayal of Secretary of State Dean Rusk in the prestigious production of John Frankenheimer’s "Path to War" and the mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon," produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Tom Hanks. Aylward stared on the series, "The Fugitive" and "The Others" and had countless appearances on other television series include recurring roles on "Family Law" and "Northern Exposure.

RACHEL ERICKSON (Little girl)

Ms. Erickson makes her screen debut in The Celestine Prophecy. A fourth grade student in the gifted program at her school, Riverhills Elementary in Tampa, Florida, Rachel started singing at the age of six years old after the nation suffered the horrific attacks of 9/11. Rachel was watching the news when a young girl came on who had lost her mother at the World Trade Center and whose father was overseas and could not come home to her. Rachel went into her room and started singing the national anthem. It was brought to the attention of Mason Dixon, a radio personality from station U92, who heard her sing over the phone and played the call on the air. After an overwhelming response from listeners, he invited her to the station to sing live. Since then, Rachel has been opening events through out the Tampa Bay area for such headliners as Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels.

She opened the Enduring Freedom event at the request of General Tommy Franks, who presented her with a gold general coin for her patriotism to this country, and kicked off a huge 4th of July concert with over 8,000 people in attendance. She has performed at numerous golfing events and benefits, particularly those providing funds to 9/11 victims and their families. Rachel teamed up with upcoming teen sensation Faith Trent to sing songs from "Annie" at the Watson clinic benefit to raise money for blind children.