Alexandra Van Der Noot Movies

A spin-off of the popular movie, Highlander: The Series follows the exploits of immortal Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul), another member of the Highland clan that produced the older Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), who was the focus of three feature films and a supporting character in the first episode of the new series.
Also appearing in the series: Stan Kirsch as the headstrong Richie Ryan; Alexandra Vandernoot as Duncan's love interest, Tessa Noel; the late Werner Stocker as Darius; Jim Byrnes as Joe Dawson, a member of the Watchers; Elizabeth Gracen as Amanda, another immortal; and Peter Wingfield as Methos (a five-thousand-year-old immortal masquerading as a Watcher.)
While the first season suffered from a lack of diversity in story lines (the basic theme involves immortals beheading each other in a process called "The Game" -- the survivor receives the energy of the loser via "The Quickening"), the producers finally managed to provide some interesting twists via the introduction of the Watchers, a secret society of mortals dedicated to observing the lives of the immortals. Vandernoot, homesick for Paris (where the series filmed half its episodes, due to a co-production deal), chose to leave the series at the start of the second season, with her character being killed off and Richie being revealed as an immortal at the same time. Blues artist Jim Byrnes became a regular during the second season. The Watchers were featured in many episodes, with the existence of the organization (and of immortals) sometimes on the verge of being revealed to the world. In the fifth season, Duncan was revealed as a Champion for Good, eventually resulting in an ultimate battle against the evil Ahriman and the death of Richie at the end of the fifth season and the beginning of the abbreviated final season. After six seasons, production on the show was ended, with Adrian Paul signed to appear as Duncan in the fourth movie (several movie-length videos were released during the course of the series) and producers Davis/Panzer planning a new television spin-off, this time featuring a female immortal. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Movie Guide

To the citizens of Vancouver, Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) is just your average handsome, ponytailed, introspective antiques dealer. In truth, however, Duncan is an Immortal, born 400 years ago in Scotland, totally impervious to death or serious injury unless he is beheaded in a sword fight with another Immortal. He has also, over the centuries, built up enormous strength and energy, the result of absorbing those qualities from evil immortals whom he has decapitated. Duncan's mortal lover Tessa Noel (Alexandra Vandernoot) is aware of his secret identity, and though saddened by the fact that she will grow old while he remains forever young, she loves him all the same. Among Duncan's friends and acquaintances are Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch), a reformed burglar who works in Duncan's antique shop, and TV reporter Randi McFarland (Amanda Wyss), who after witnessing a number of strange events is certain that there's something "different" about Duncan but can't put her finger on it. Halfway through the first season of Highlander, Duncan, Tessa, and Richie move to Paris establishing a pattern that would be followed in most seasons to come. Apprised by his mentor Darius (Werner Stocker) that evil forces are conspiring against him, Duncan is successful in warding those forces off -- but alas, Darius is not so lucky, and thereby hangs the plot strand that will be picked up when season two of Highlander gets under way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After being involved in a horrible accident, Duncan (Adrian Paul) is rushed to a hospital ER -- where, by virtue of his Immortal status, he makes an immediate recovery. This rouses the curiosity of a Dr. Wilder (Joe Pantoliano of The Sopranos), who kidnaps Duncan in hopes of learning the secret of his "miracle cure." Stopping at nothing to get what he wants, Wilder ends up committing murder -- and Duncan is blamed for the killing. The climax proves to be a treacherous one for Duncan's erstwhile acquaintance, TV reporter Randi MacFarland (Amanda Wyss). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Accompanied by Richie (Stan Kirsch), Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot) storms down to the courthouse to argue about her recent parking tickets. Almost immediately, both Richie and Tessa are taken hostage by a gang trying to free their leader, Bryan Slade (Andrew Divoff), who has just been sentenced to life imprisonment. In his efforts to rescue his friends, Duncan (Adrian Paul) is "killed" right before the eyes of a SWAT team. To avoid being exposed as an Immortal, Duncan is forced to carry out the rest of his rescue mission in secret, aided by feisty janitor's daughter Belinda (Andrea Libman). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot) is the only witness to the murder of artist Anne Wheeler (Diana Barrington). Unfortunately, no body turns up, and the police decide that Anne was just imagining things. The only person who believes her is the murderer -- a crooked cop who happens to be an Immortal. As the story accelerates to its climax, Duncan must save Tessa from a literally explosive demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Back in 1989, Immortal Walter Reinhardt (Christopher Ohrt) was killed during a struggle with Duncan (Adrian Paul). In the three years since, Reinhardt's mortal lover, Rebecca Lord (Vanity), has bitterly vowed to avenge her sweetheart's death. Convinced that Duncan, and Duncan alone, was responsible, Rebecca plots an elaborate demise for our hero -- one that also endangers Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot) and Richie (Stan Kirsch). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A police officer investigating the death of a transvestite masks feelings of love for his widowed sister (Charlotte Rampling) while raging against her lover (Derek DeLint) in this Belgian film directed by Patrick Conrad. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

This is an atmospheric tale of a rehearsal of the opera Don Juan paralleled by real-life dramas that mirror the opera. The director in charge is Francois (Francois Beukelaers), who has become infatuated with Stephane (Stephane Escoffier) and is rapidly alienating his wife Sandra (Alexandra Vandernoot) with his extramarital wandering. His assistant Ben (Ben Van Ostade) does not appreciate Francois' behavior either -- he wants Stephane for himself. As so as these tangled webs get a bit sticky, the opera with its magnificent singers (Jose van Dam is Don Giovanni) continues in rehearsal, and everyone gets ready for an open-air performance in the haunting Belgian countryside. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Surviving a stabbing after attacking a Parisian callgirl, mentally unbalanced Alfred Cahill (Martin Kemp) is unaware that he is an Immortal. Instead, he believes his life was spared because he has been chosen by God to purge Paris of all evildoers. What follows is a murder spree in which one callgirl after another is slaughtered -- and next on the endangered list may be Elaine (Sandra Nelson), a friend of Duncan's (Adrian Paul) sweetheart Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Duncan (Adrian Paul), Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot), and Richie (Stan Kirsch) are the guests of Tessa's old friend Allan Rothwood (Anthony Head). The visit turns unpleasant when Col. Belian (Peter Guinness), the head of a small private army, accuses Allan's son, Mark (Jason Riddington), of raping Belian's stepdaughter, Lori (Marion Cotillard). Further complicating matters, at least so far as Duncan is concerned, is the revelation that Belian is an Immortal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Hunchback of Notre Dame meets the Phantom of the Opera in this lively episode, set beneath the streets of Paris. Duncan (Adrian Paul) discovers that Ursa (Christian Van Acker), a deformed and simple-minded Immortal whose life Duncan has saved in the past, is living a toad's existence in the Parisian sewers. At the same time, over-the-hill opera singer Carolyn (Dee Dee Bridgewater) hopes to dupe poor Ursa into helping her dispose of one of her rivals. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Duncan (Adrian Paul) goes after "The Scalper," a serial killer who preys on blonde women. The murderer is either patterning himself after an insane Immortal Duncan thought he disposed of over 68 years ago -- or he is that selfsame Immortal back in business. Tessa (Alexandra Van Der Noot) volunteers to act as bait to draw out The Scalper, but Richie (Stan Kirsch) unwittingly messes up the trap. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After years of searching through orphanage records, Richie (Stan Kirsch) is convinced that he has found his real father. Duncan (Adrian Paul) doubts this, especially after meeting Richie's self-confessed "daddy", a two-bit gambler named Joe Scanlon (J.E. Freeman). As it happens, Richie is being set up for betrayal to one of Joe's more lethal creditors, a chap named Clinch (Peter DeLuise), forcing Duncan to go to the rescue of his pal yet again. This was the second episode of Highlander to be filmed, but the 11th to be telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide