The first photo from geek maestro Joss Whedon's highly anticipated *Dollhouse *reveals the killer cast behind the upcoming sci-fi drama. The seven-episode series, which follows a group of highly skilled men- and women-for-hire known as "dolls," launches in January on Fox. The show is tentatively scheduled to air Mondays at 8, before 24.

The dolls have had their memories and personalities wiped clean – think *Bourne Identity *– and are rented out to perform tasks by a mysterious agency.

Remember ass-kicking babe Eliza Dushku from Buffy and Tru Calling? She stars as Echo, who becomes self-aware and begins to investigate her surroundings, including the futuristic, lab-like dorm (pictured above) she lives in.

Whedon tapped Battlestar Galactica stud Tahmoh Penikett to stand in as Echo's twisted love interest and an FBI agent obsessed with the urban myth of a such a "Dollhouse."

Fran Kranz stars as Dollhouse's nerdy programmer Topher Brink, who imprints the dolls with their task-specific personas. *24-*alum Harry Lennix serves as a bodyguard for Echo, and Buffy Angel alum Amy Acker is doll-handler Dr. Claire Sanders. X-Men's Olivia Williams plays the ruthless Adelle DeWit, who governs over the dollhouse.

Dushku's own experiences as an actress inspired Whedon, according to an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "When we really discussed the whole thing, she said, 'You're talking about my life. In my life, everybody tells me who they want me to be while I try and figure out who I am.' And that spoke to me. I agreed that I'll write and maybe oversee the pilot," said Whedon, who created and penned hit shows *Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. *

[SPOILERS AFTER THE JUMP]

Our sources at Fox tell us that Dollhouse will take place at an undisclosed point in the future, and the organization behind wiping the dolls and imprinting them is a corrupt, top-secret government agency.

Their handlers are working with a high-tech brain institute that has a vast archive of different personalities to imprint upon the dolls for their various assignments, which can range from assassinations and fantasies to the occasional charitable deed.

In addition to Echo's own search for self-discovery, an FBI agent convinced of the existence of a "Dollhouse" is hot on the case. And the dolls themselves live in a state-of-the-art facility that resembles a Japanese-inspired zen spa.

The pilot wrapped shooting in April and goes back into production in July before the launch early next year.

Photo courtesy Fox

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