Joss Whedon's 2002 space opera Firefly, featuring an acclaimed cast and blending science fiction with Western elements, suffered from poor initial ratings and was cancelled after its first season by Fox, whose decision to air episodes out of order hampered the show's viewership. The series subsequently attracted a passionate fanbase known as browncoats. Morena Baccarin, who played Inara, was initially uncertain about the show's premise and worried it would be overlooked by audiences entirely.

Baccarin later discovered that appearing on a critically praised but low-rated series did not automatically guarantee mainstream recognition, having mistakenly assumed the role would lead to immediate celebrity status. A sequel film, Serenity, was produced to provide closure for devoted fans, though it also underperformed commercially. Baccarin eventually achieved mainstream prominence years later through her leading role in the Showtime drama Homeland, which won critical acclaim, followed by appearances in the Deadpool film franchise.