Erica Cerra

Erica Cerra is a beautiful Canadian actress who has made a name on television, especially on sci-fi shows, many shot in her native Vancouver.

Erica is probably best known as Josefina (Jo) Lupo, deputy sheriff and then corporate head of security on Eureka, which launched in 2006 on Syfy. The network unexpectedly cancelled the show in August 2011, although its now final season is scheduled to air in 2012.

Erica got her start as a child actress, appearing in many commercials from the time she was 8. After taking a break, she resumed her career at age 22. Erica landed numerous guest roles on TV. although often in roles like "pretty girl" or "attractive woman #1," as well as a minor part in Blade: Trinity with Wesley Snipes.

Cerra attracted more attention with recurring appearances on The L Word in 2004 and 2006. In two 2006 episodes, Erica played a goth "vampire" les and had a notable sex scene with Leisha Hailey's Alice in the episode "Lifeline."

That marked Erica's one topless appearance to date. The scene did not flatter Cerra's tiny titties. At just a fraction the size of Hailey's bodacious breasts, Erica's chestnuts were overwhelmed by the C/D-cup star. Still, for those who prefer small boobies, Erica's looked cute and firm, and provided a dramatic contrast to Hailey.

In other areas, though, 2006 was a big year for Erica. She landed a recurring part on the network's hit Battlestar Galactica. But she also was cast as Jo Lupo, who began as a tough, no-nonsense officer of the law, a good-looking but butch presence on an often fey show.

"I always thought of acting as an opportunity to portray something completely different than what you are and that's what intrigued me," Erica told USA Today about the part. "I love the low-maintenance of it because there's so many opportunities in my lifetime where I'm sure I'll get to play a pretty girl or a crazy girl."

Still, she admitted that whenever she got a break, she "desperately" turned to mascara and eyeliner, or styled her hair "to feel like myself." Syfy is known for shows that began with strong women characters who are then turned fluffy in response to notes from the suits. But while Jo was given an on-and-off romance to soften her, Cerra managed to keep her from being trivialized.

Meanwhile, off-screen, she maintained a relationship with a "regular guy," a truck driver fiancé, as well as an "old lady" hobby, gardening.

Erica won a part in the big-budget fantasy movie, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, released in 2009. Unexpectedly, it was as a senior goddess Hera, wife of Zeus (Sean Bean), although Cerra was one of the younger actresses cast.

The movie comes from a series of children's books, and a second installment has been scheduled. Cerra said she is hopeful she will be cast again.

In 2010, Erica was vocal about her interest in playing Wonder Woman. She told numerous interviewers that she met some of the qualifications."Green eyes, dark hair…done! The big breasts I may be lacking. We can make those happen.” But Adrianne Palicki won the role in David E. Kelley's pilot for NBC. Still, Erica might have been lucky: the show mainly generated controversy for the WW costume, and the network did not buy it.

Syfy is known for pulling the rug out from under fans with surprise cancellations. After announcing that it had renewed Eureak for a sixth season, the flightly network promptly first said it would be only six episodes, then reversed course and killed the order. Because the fifth season, which was being shot in 2011, ended with one of the series' trademark cliffhangers, the network then agreed to add an episode to tie up loose ends.

"Unfortunately, I think it was financial," Cerra told The Hollywood Reporter of the reasoning behind the cancellation. But she added she is happy the show's loyal fans will get a wrap-up.

As for her own plans, "There are so many things I want to do, so many places I want my career to go," Erica said. But she added, "As of right now, I am available for work!"