SERIES / FIREFLY / BIOGRAPHIES

Gina Torres plays the tough-as-nails first mate Zoe Washburne in Josh Whedon's "Firefly."

The youngest of three children in a Cuban-American family, Torres began singing at an early age. After performing in plays and musicals, she made her television debut in the soap opera "One Life to Live." After appearing in the lead role in the television movie "M.A.N.T.I.S.," Torres's career drifted toward more science-fiction and fantasy fare. She had a recurring role in "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and was the lead in "Cleopatra 2525."

More recently, Torres appeared the television shows "Standoff," "Alias," "Without a Trace" and "The Shield." She appeared in "24," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and Joss Whedon's "Angel." Her other credits include "La Femme Nikita," "Xena: Princess Warrior," "Profiler," "Dark Angel," "NYPD Blue" and "Law & Order."

Her motion picture credits include "I Think I Love My Wife," "Five Fingers" and "Hair Show." She appeared with her husband, Lawrence Fishburne, in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions." And, of course, she starred in the theatrical sequel to "Firefly," "Serenity."