The late 90s and early 2000s saw an influx of female-led TV dramas, one of the most popular beingProvidence,which tells the story of a woman who returns to her hometown to start a new life. Starring Melina Kanakeredes, the show’s clever title has two meanings: the first being the show’s setting in Providence, Rhode Island, and the second being the definition of the word, which means spiritual protection. With the show’s hook being the main character getting frequent visits by her mother’s “ghost,” the name is a good fit.
Over 20 years after theProvidenceseries left the air, the show’s cast continues to be one of its best assets. Some of the actors have gone on to continue their movie and TV careers, with Sydney Hansen lead actress Melina Kanakaredes frequently popping up in guest-starring roles on the small screen. Meanwhile, others have decided to focus on more personal ventures like podcasting.
Continues to act
Appears on podcasts
Last acting credit was in 2017
Last acting credit was in 2019
Continues to act in live-action and voiceover projects
Retired from acting
Melina Kanakaredes As Sydney Hansen
Continues To Act
Character:Greek American actor Melina Kanakaredes played Sydney “Syd” Hansen, the main protagonist ofProvidence.Syd was a plastic surgeon in L.A. before moving back to her hometown in Rhode Island, hoping to perform more meaningful work as a doctor. She decides to make a fresh start by working in a free clinic, and renewing the ties with her family. After her mother dies unexpectedly at the start of the series, Syd regularly has conversations with her mom’s ghost.
CSI: NY(2004-2010)
Stella Bonasera
Where Are They Now:SinceProvidencewrapped in 2002, Kanakaredes’s career has continued to flourish over the decades.Her nextbest-known character was Detective Stella Bonasera, first appeared in an episode ofCSI: Miamiin 2004,and would go on to have a regular role inCSI: New Yorkuntil 2010. Kanakaredes portrayed the goddess Athena in the feature filmPercy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,and followed up with multiple appearances in various TV shows, includingBillions,and most recently an episode ofNCIS.
Paula Cale As Joan Hansen
Appears On Podcasts
Character:Actor Paula Cale playedJoan Hansen, Syd’s younger sister, inProvidence.A single mom, Joan’s relationship with Syd is a complicated one since Joan often feels overshadowed by Syd’s success. Nevertheless, Joan has her own admirable skills, such as baking delicious dog treats and running her own business.
Cake(2014)
Carol
Where Are They Now:While Joan onProvidenceremains Cale’s best-known role to date, the actor continued to appear in guest and supporting roles in TV and film throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Some of her guest spots include episodes ofGhost Whisperer, House,andPretty Little Liars. These days, Cale seems to prefer the quiet life to Hollywood.She currently goes under the name Paula Lisbe, and has done occasional guest appearances on podcastssuch asWife of the Party, and an upcoming episode ofCan’t Relax.
Seth Peterson As Robert Hansen
His Last Acting Credit Was In 2017
Character: Syd’s little brother, who goes by Robbie, is the black sheep of the Hansen family, and is played by Seth Peterson. Robbie runs a pub in Providence, and often finds himself in trouble thanks to his gambling addiction. He finally started to settle down in season 3 when he fell in love with Tina, a single mom with a son, Pete. The two later married and had a new baby, a boy they named Nick.
Burn Notice(2007-2012)
Nate Westen
Where Are They Now:AfterProvidenceended, Peterson went on to do a number of guest appearances in TV shows likeCharmed, Deadwood, CSI,andNCIS.Beginning in 2007, he took on a recurring role in the action dramedy seriesBurn Notice,playing Nate Weston, brother to Michael Weston. His last acting credit listed on IMDb is a straight-to-video feature calledIntent,released in 2017. Most recently,Peterson appears to be focused on his family, as evident on hisInstagramprofile where he posts photos of his children, along with the occasional “Flashback Friday” photos of his time in Hollywood.
Mike Farrell As Jim Hansen
His Last Acting Credit Was In 2019
Character:MAS*Halumnus Mike Farrell played Dr. Jim Hansen, the family patriarch. inProvidence.Like his daughter Syd, Jim also practices medicine, though he is a veterinarianand runs a clinic for animals out of his basement. Though he loves his children Syd, Joan, and Robbie, Jim often seems to have a better time relating to his patients than his interactions with human beings.
Supernatural(2012)
Fred Jones
Where Are They Now:Longtime TV veteran Farrell has gone on to many more projects sinceProvidence,including providing the voice of Jonathan Kent in the animated DC seriesJustice LeagueandJustice League Unlimited.His other guest roles include series likeLaw & Order: SVU, Without A Trace, Supernatural,andAmerican Crime Story.He also played Milton Lang in threeepisodes ofDesperate Housewives,and played Judge Miles Deakin in two episodes ofNCIS.While he hasn’t done an acting role since 2019,Farrell appeared in an interview on the YouTube channel“That’s Classic TV!”in January 2025.
Concetta Tomei As Lynda Hansen
Character: Although she died off-screen in the pilot ofProvidence,Concetta Tomei’s Lynda Hansen continued to have a large presencethroughout the series. As the overbearing mother of the Hansen clan, Lynda’s spirit continued to offer advice to Syd through her dreams and imagination — whether it was welcomed or not.
Deep Impact(1998)
Patricia Ruiz
Where Are They Now:More than twenty years after the finale ofProvidence,Tomei’s career is still going strong. She hasmade several guest appearances on TV, including the showsWeeds, Cold Case, Veep,and the Netflix revival ofArrested Development.Her most recent role was Mafalda on the podcast seriesImperfect Matchin 2023,and though IMDb does not list any upcoming projects for the actor, there’s a good chance she’ll pop up again soon.
Leslie Silva As Helen Reynolds
Character:Though Leslie Silva left the show after the first season, Dr. Helen Reynolds was an essential part of Syd’s transition in season 1.Not only was Helen a good friend, but she was also a mentor, and her faith in Syd was evidentwhen she made her the head of the clinic.
Shades of Blue(2016-2018)
Gail Baker
Where Are They Now:Silva’s TV career continued to grow following her stint onProvidence, and she threw in a few film roles for good measure. Some of her biggest recurring TV roles include Sarah Forbes onOdyssey 5,M.E. Ridenhour inNum3ers,Gail Baker inShades of Blue,and Beverly Crest inSo Help Me Todd.In 2024,she had a minor role in theerotically charged dramaBabygirlas Hazel.
Dana Daurey As Heather Tupperman
Character:Actor Dana Daurey played a recurring role inProvidenceas Heather Tupperman,Jim’s assistant in the vet clinic. A hard worker with a sweet disposition, Heather’s storyline saw her leaving her fiancé at the altar and running off to Vegas with Robbie — an impulsive decision that wouldn’t lead to anything serious between the two.
Perception(2013)
Sara
Where Are They Now:Daurey’s TV and film career is still going strong, with a number of credits to her name since the series ended, including guest spots in7th Heaven, Hannah Montana, American Horror Story,andThe Neighborhood.She alsoappeared in several indie films, and most recently in the 2024 thrillerThe Undertaker’s Wifeas Carrie Forrester.
George Newbern As Owen Frank
Continues To Act In Live-Action & Voiceover Projects
Character:George Newbern’s Owen Frank made his first appearance in season 4 ofProvidenceasSyd’s defense lawyer in a malpractice suit. While the two butted heads at first, their fondness for each other blossomed into romance. Syd and Owen finally tied the knot in the show’s 2-part series finale, and Syd finally got her happily ever after.
Father of the Bride(1991)
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children(2005)
Sephiroth
Where They Are Now:Newborn’s acting career has been seemingly nonstop since his stint onProvidence.Through the 2000s and 2010s, he provided his voice acting talents to several animated projects, including those in the DC universe where he performed as both Superman and Steve Trevor. His next big gig wasplaying hitman Charlie in the TV drama,Scandal,who quickly became a fan-favorite character. In 2024, he appeared in two episodes of the faith-based seriesGoing Home,and he voiced Superman, Clark Kent, and Black Lantern Superman in the video gameMultiVersus.
Maria Pitillo As Tina Calcaterra
Retired From Acting
Character:Played by Maria Pitillo, Tina Calcaterra played an important recurring role inProvidencebeginning in the show’s third season.Robbie Hensen first met Tina at a hockey game, where her son, Pete, was playing. The two ended up falling in love and later got married, with Tina giving birth to their son.
Natural Born Killers(1994)
Deborah
Where Are They Now:AfterProvidence,Pitillo appeared in a guest role onFriendsin 2003, followed by a TV movie calledThe Angriest Man in Suburbiain 2006, and another guest role in a 2008 episode of the showBig Shots.Pitillo then retired from acting, and while little is known about her career,herInstagramaccount lists her as a “mother, friend, artist,” and she has posted photos of her beloved child and fur babies.
Tessa Allen As Hannah Hansen
Character:Tessa Allen began at the tender age of five years old when she started playingHannah Hansen, daughter of Joan Hansen, onProvidence.Before Allen played the role, the younger Hannah was played by infant Tess Cruickshank.
General Hospital(2004-2006)
Lulu Spencer
After the series ended, Allen had a guest role in an episode ofCSI: Miami,and had a recurring role as Lulu Spencer onGeneral Hospitalfor two years. She had a minor role in the 2012 indie filmArcadiaas Lisa, which was her last acting credit on IMDb. Now an adult,Allen hasn’t appeared in any recent TV shows or movies, nor does she seem to have any profiles on social media. It seems that the formerProvidenceactress is currently enjoying a quiet and very private life.
