A Gemonese socialator, Cassiopeia is rescued from a ship of hostile Gemonese Atories by Starbuck and Apollo. She falls for Starbuck -- and he for her -- as Athena is pushed out of the way. This makes the two enemies in the early part of the series, but they eventually become friends. The relationship between her and Starbuck strengthens to the point where they are seriously committed to each other.

Cassiopia's colourful past includes having a father who used to be a merchant, and she used to transmit for him. (How she went from that to a socialator is anybody's guess.) She was also involved in a passionate relationship with Commander Cain, and seemed somewhat intent in reviving it when he returned in The Living Legend. Cain's disappearance seemed to strengthen the Starbuck/Cassiopeia relationship even further.

Cassiopeiawas cast as "the voice of reason" for Starbuck, often calming the hot-headed lieutenant down. Also, she wasn't supposed to be Starbuck's main love interest in the beginning, but upon seeing the chemistry between Spang and Dirk Benedict, it was decided to keep her on full-time.