Baltar is a
fictional character
In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, ...
in the ''
Battlestar Galactica
''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The franchise began with the Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series), original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel se ...
'' universe who betrays the
human
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...
race, through willing treachery in the original
1978 series, and as the inadvertent result of arrogance and self-interest in the
2003 miniseries and
following TV series.
Original continuity
In the original 1978 ''Battlestar Galactica''
movie
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
and television series, Count Baltar was a leading antagonist character who betrayed the human race to its enemy, the robot race of
Cylons
The Cylons are the main antagonists of the human race in the '' Battlestar Galactica'' science fiction franchise, making appearances in the original 1978 series, the 1980 series, the 2004 re-imagining, and the spin-off prequel series '' C ...
. Faced with execution by the Cylons following the successful attack on the humans, Baltar convinces them to let him live so he may be permitted to pursue the surviving humans.
Count Baltar was played by
John Colicos
John Colicos (December 10, 1928 – March 6, 2000) was a Canadian actor. He performed on stage and television in the United States and Canada.
Career
Colicos was born in Toronto, Ontario, to a Greek father and a Canadian mother.
In 1957 he app ...
.
New continuity
{{Main, Gaius Baltar
In the 2003 ''Battlestar Galactica''
miniseries
A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...
and 2004 TV series, Gaius Baltar is a brilliant scientist and key player in the Twelve Colonies' defense research. His unscrupulous character allows a beautiful Cylon to manipulate him into granting her access to the colonies' defense systems, the resultant failure of which ends in the destruction of most of the human race during a Cylon attack.
Gaius is accompanied by the Cylon model Number Six, whom only he can see. The reason why she appears to him is not clear, although in the final episodes it is implied that she may be an angel or a messenger from God.
Gaius also exists inside the mind of the same Six model he fell in love with, but as a completely separate entity.
Dr. Baltar eventually becomes Vice President of the Colonies, then later assumes the Presidency after the first Post-War election, his first executive order being a move to settle on New Caprica. He surrenders the colony over to the Cylons one year later during the Cylon occupation under threat of death.
In sharp contrast to the Count Baltar of the original series, he is not a malicious individual, but rather a highly flawed one. A significant theme in the series is his path to redemption, as in the original series, despite his initial actions.
The role of Dr. Gaius Baltar is played by
James Callis
James Nicholas Callis (born 4 June 1971) is a British actor. He is known for playing Dr. Gaius Baltar in the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' miniseries and television series, and Bridget Jones's best friend Tom in ''Bridget Jones's Diar ...
.
Battlestar Galactica characters