Lexa Doig of Andromeda joins the SG-1 cast

Stargate Command’s new medical officer is set to be played by Lexa Doig

Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) met his wife, actress Lexa Doig, while guest-starring on her sci-fi show Andromeda in the season 1 episode “Star-Crossed.” Doig played the AI – Artificial Intelligence – avatar of the starship Andromeda Ascendant, affectionately known as Rommie in her android form. When Shanks came aboard Andromeda as the android Gabriel, Rommie fell hard for him, only to discover that he was her enemy, the AI avatar Balance Of Judgement. Gabriel/Judgement returned to haunt Rommie in the season 3 episode “Day Of Judgement, Day Of Wrath,” which also featured Christopher Judge (Teal’c) as the AI Hector, avatar of the Resolution.

Now Stargate SG-1’s producers are returning the compliment with interest, having cast Lexa Doig in a recurring role for the pivotal ninth season of the show after her successful audition. Michael Shanks broke the news to fans during his panel appearance at a Creation Convention in Texas today, joking that he had nothing to do with it and in fact had asked the producers if they were crazy!

Doig is set to play Stargate Command’s medical officer and also the daughter of new character General Hank Landry, portrayed by the accomplished veteran actor Beau Bridges. Her character’s name is Carolyn, surname now confirmed as Lam. Shanks told fans that his wife Lexa would be working very closely with Bridges and was “very nervous” about it and went on to joke about ‘most men’s reactions to the news that their wife would be coming to work with them.’

Doig’s Dr. Carolyn Lam is the first character to permanently fulfil the role of medical officer at the SGC since the death of Dr. Janet Fraiser in Season 7’s “Heroes.” Fraiser, played for seven years by fan favourite Teryl Rothery, was succeeded temporarily by Season 8’s Dr. Brightman in “Lockdown” and Dr. Carmichael in “Avatar.”

With newcomers Lexa Doig as Dr. Carolyn Lam, Ben Browder as Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell, Beau Bridges as General Hank Landry, Lou Gossett Jr. as a Jaffa leader and Claudia Black reprising her role as Vala, original cast members Michael Shanks and Christopher Judge won’t be lonely while co-star Amanda Tapping enjoys her maternity leave.

About Lexa Doig

Toronto native Alexandra Doig was born on June 8th, 1973, to Filipina mother Gloria and English-Scottish father David. Her parents held season tickets to their local theatre, and Lexa was inspired to begin acting after seeing a production of “Porgy and Bess” at the age of nine. She dropped out of high school in grade 13, did modelling and commercial work, and hosted YTV’s Video & Arcade Top 10 with friend Gordon Michael Woolvett.

Her first professional job came at the age of 19, when she was cast opposite William Shatner and Greg Evigan in “TekWar”. She went on to appear in several projects for both the big and small screens, including CI5: The New Professionals, Jungleground and No Alibi, before landing a lead role in Jason X, the 10th instalment in the Friday the 13th series. Shortly after, she captured the title role in Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda starring as the Andromeda Ascendant’s sophisticated artificial intelligence system. She has also completed guest stints on several popular television shows, including Traders, Earth: Final Conflict, The Chris Isaak Show. Theatre credits include “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Romeo and Juliet”.

In her spare time, Lexa enjoys reading, rollerblading and playing RPG video games, “Dungeons and Dragons” being her favourite. She currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia with husband Michael Shanks, their daughter Mia and two cats.

Links
Lexa Doig.org unofficial fan site
Andromeda official site