Season Four of Stargate Atlantis is still in production, with the crew currently filming the two-part episode “The Kindred” that will appear sometime in the back half of the season. Executive Producer and co-showrunner Joseph Mallozzi recently revealed in his personal blog that all 20 episodes have been slotted, but two currently have not been named (see the Season Four index in our Wiki for details on all 20 episodes). Concerning the finale, which is based off of co-showrunner Paul Mullie’s idea, Mallozzi said, “We are not thinking past season four which will end on a cliffhanger. We have a general idea of where we want this major arc to go and hopefully will have a chance to develop it with a fifth season pick-up.”
The finale has also been described by Mallozzi as “big – but very, very different,” with the emphasis on “BIG”.
The renewal notice from the Sci Fi Channel hasn’t come yet (Mallozzi said that it could be “anytime between now and this winter”), but it appears that the producers are positive that the show will return for a fifth season. Mallozzi stated in his personal blog, “I’m very hopeful given the episodes that kick off season four.” As to whether or not Sci Fi would even consider non-renewal, Mallozzi said, “The show’s producers and studio already know a fifth season would be a smart move for us. It’s the network that will need the convincing. But I have a feeling they already know. Seriously. What’s not to love?”
Both Mallozzi and Mullie have stated that renewal for Season Five would be based heavily off of the ratings for the last half of Season Three because of Sci Fi’s moving the Season Four premiere to September 28, rather than having the usual summer premiere. The positive to this move to a fall premiere was emphasized by Mallozzi, “From what I hear, there will NOT be a six-month mid-season break.” He balanced this out with, “As to whether the ratings for season four will impact a possible pick up – it’s hard to say. The premiere was pushed so far that it will be cutting it very close.” Indeed it is so close that they will be finishing their filming of Season Four right as the first episode “Adrift” will be premiering. Mallozzi concluded, “It’s out of my hands so I’m simply concentrating on producing the best show possible.”
In case they do get the Season Five pick-up, what can we expect for the characters? Mallozzi stated that he’d like to have new cast members Amanda Tapping and Jewel Staite return: “If and when we do get the pick up, given everything we’ve seen so far, we would very much like to have both of them back.” He has hinted that they might have Michael Shanks reprise his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson: “Alas, in response to many who have been asking, Daniel Jackson will not be making an appearance in season four […] But, if we get a fifth season pick-up, it’s definitely something we definitely aim to pursue.” Mallozzi did mention in one of his blog entries that casting and staffing for a possible next season could be affected by a late renewal notice: “Actor/writer/producer deals need to be picked up by a certain date as well. If they are not, then everyone becomes free to pursue other projects rather than sitting on their hands, waiting around for a possible pick-up.”
Even if the show doesn’t get a fifth season on television, the history of the franchise has it that the story could be told in direct-to-DVD movies much like what has happened for Stargate SG-1. When asked by a fan in his personal blog what would happen if there wasn’t a renewal for a fifth season, Mallozzi might have had this history in mind when he answered, “If worse comes to worse, I’m sure MGM will find a way to have the Atlantis team continue its adventures in one way or another.”
Keep up with the production of Season Four (and possibly Season Five) of Stargate Atlantis in Joseph Mallozzi’s personal blog (from which all of the above quotes were gleaned) and in Solutions’ Stargate Atlantis pages in the Stargate Wiki.
Season Four of Stargate Atlantis makes its world premiere on the Sci Fi Channel at 10pm Eastern (a new timeslot), on Friday, September 28, 2007.