‘X-Men’ News and Update: Fox’s Untitled TV Series Gets Its First Actor

The still-untitled "X-Men" TV Series ordered by Fox has filled in its first mutant role. Blair Redford joined the Bryan Singer-piloted drama series as 'Sam', a Native-American mutant.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor's role will be a strong-headed leader of the underground network of mutants. This would follow the already revealed premise of the untitled "X-Men" series, about a family of human parents and mutant child join an underground network as they run away from a mutant-seeking government. 

In the comics, the Morlocks are a group of mutants that live underground, that is, in the unused tunnel system of New York City. Forced to survive beneath the city due to physical deformities caused by their mutations, the mutant group has occasionally met with the "X-Men", whether as allies or as foes.

The description of Redford's character brings in several speculations as to who his mutant counterpart be. The mutant Forge is first on the list, according to Comicbook. One of the well-known Native American mutants that has yet to appear in live action, the former "X-Men" and current "X-Factor" member certainly fits the 'strong-headed leader' type.

Oxbow, an obscure Marvel character, is another name on the consideration list for the "X-Men" pilot. A member of the group First Line and partner of the Eternal Pixie, Oxbow, who is also coincidentally named 'Sam Matonabbe', is a super-strong archer from the Chippewa tribe. Called a half-breed due to having a Chippewa mother and a Caucasian father, he was last seen in the comics defending Earth against the Skrulls, where the hero fell in battle.      

The pilot episode of the "X-Men" TV drama will be executively produced and directed by Singer. Known as the man who started the "X-Men" movie franchise, he helmed four out of the six movies in the series. Matt Nix is set as the series' showrunner.