SCI FI Announces Major Cast Changes for Stargate Atlantis Season 5
SCI FI Channel just announced major cast changes on Stargate Atlantis which begins production on its fifth season later this month.
Amanda Tapping leaves the show to star in her own production, the on-line series Sanctuary recently picked-up for broadcast by SCI FI.
SCI FI hints that big changes are ahead as season four (airing now, Friday’s at 10p) unwinds. "Some cherished friends are lost, others are found," said the net in their press release this morning, "new alliances are forged while new races are introduced."
Long-time recurring character “Richard Woolsey,” (Robert Picardo) joins the Stargate Atlantis cast on a full-time basis. Woolsey will assume command of the Atlantis expedition.
And here’s some news that will have quite a few fans squeeing. Per the press release: "Fan favorite Paul McGillion, will return for five episodes to reprise his role as the beloved ‘Dr. Carson Beckett.’" Yeessssssss!
Fans campaigned hard for his reinstatement. (Click here for their website, savecarsonbeckett.com.) Of course, we’d like to see more of Paul but kudos to SCI FI and producers for paying attention to the fans.
Amanda Tapping ("Colonel Samantha Carter") will guest in several episodes and, states the press release, "Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks ("Dr. Daniel Jackson") will appear as a special guest in episodes as well."
So, Daniel comes to Atlantis. Finally! This topped the wish list of many Stargate fans. And that’s "episodes" with an "s." (This Shanks fan hang-out, Michael Shanks On-Line, is now his official website.)
It certainly looks like SCI FI is reading the fannish tea leaves and casting accordingly.
The Atlantis production is not encumbered by the writers’ strike. The series is shot in Vancouver and the writers and hyphenate producers are reportedly members of the WGC (Writers Guild of Canada) and not the WGA. (A good write-up on the topic can be found here on another Stargate fansite called Solutions.)
At some point during the twenty-episode season five production, Atlantis will cross the 100th episode threshhold.
skeeterpup commented:
I am glad that Amanda Tapping is leaving but how about bringing Dr. Weir back, the show has not been the same without Elizabeth (Tori). Please, please bring her back as the leader of Atlantis.
leeman5251 commented:
I miss Dr. Weir. I still don't thinks she is dead. Hope she will be back at least in a limited compasady
mary mcnamara commented:
Hi Elyse - ohhh, gotta love the fans!! thanks for the intel on Radek. I can rest easy for the remainder of the season then. :) yeah, that insurance policy would be priceeeeey. very high risk job. :) oh, I was sooo unhappy when they killed off Fraiser. RCC is v. proud of that two-parter and I can understand why, shot by the second unit etc. (that part of the tale is v. interesting.) but I do enough television heavy-lifting w/ The Wire, The Shield etc. I watch Stargate for the escapist element, for humor, angst, action, character development mix - but not character death. I think the only character death that ever made sense on SG was Sha're. But the theme was so well developed...plenty of momentum behind it and the episode was beautifully written. oh, well - I've posted my opinion of character death in the past. Just one of my THINGS. we've all got them I guess. Per Carter - yeah, the "nice" Carter writing has always been a bit of a soft spot in Stargate, imho. I've missed some episodes this season so I'll have to trust your assessment. Am happy, too, to see Daniel back in the mix. All in all, the casting for s5 is v. good. more people should be watching this series. SGA is way better than a lot of the stuff on the broadcast nets. I was kind of hoping that NBC would bring more attention to SGA by shifting the series to the network during the writers' strike. but it's not produced by Universal Media Studios, so...
Elyse commented:
Ah, the fans have already noticed the 'red shirting' of physicians on Stargate - first Fraiser, then Beckett, and when they Beckett a regular, KABOOM! And now Keller's a regular. Hope she's got life insurance ;) And David Nykl posted on his blog that he's in two season 5 episodes, so that's good news. Yeah, if they toast Radek, there'll be hell to pay! ;) Oh, and Kavan Smith is back as Lorne. Both these recurring characters have pretty devoted fans :) Anyway, fans are divided but I think the conflict Woolsey can provide will help the show. Alas, Carter never provided any conflict and was so nice, it was, um, dull... at times.
ensbury park commented:
Great news about Daniel. Season 5 will pop!
mary mcnamara commented:
Hi Morjana - yes agreed! an interesting and unexpected choice. I'm sure much head butting will ensue w/ the new commander. :) Wow - is that staff gonna miss Carter, or what!? lol!
Morjana commented:
Excellent news, Mary. Robert Picardo has always provided interesting performances, I'm looking forward so seeing the nuances he'll provide Woolsey for SGA season five. Morjana
mary mcnamara commented:
Hi Elyse - yes, I was surprised by the choice of Woolsey. It's an interesting selection tho. Perhaps the producers are looking to insert more conflict? Crossing fingers on Beckett but...I would imagine that most contracts are signed, sealed, delivered at this point. No mention of Weir. hmmm. when the press release said "cherished friends are lost..." I thought of Weir, sadly. If it's Radek, I'm going to be unhappy. :) They can't kill off Keller, don't you think? The producers would be accused of red-shirting the medical staff. Well, I'm sure the latest news has fans on pins and needles. I'm off to vote! Lines. Big lines! Out the door! at the polling station...
Elyse commented:
It's good news, although fans were betting on Caldwell to be the commander. They're half divided on whether Woolsey is up to the job (although I think Picardo is a great actor and can probably pull off whatever the writers dish out). VERY good news on Beckett, but hopefully he'll get more than five episodes, and now if they can just bring back Weir... :)
