Fans most likely know of the recent news articles and publicity surrounding the departures of Torri Higginson and Paul McGillion from the regular cast of Stargate Atlantis in Season Four and might be wondering what the two have been up to since then.
Torri Higginson
Torri Higginson (Dr. Elizabeth Weir) has a new guest spot on CBS Television Network’s NCIS. The episode is called “Identity Crisis” and will premiere on Tuesday, October 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). Higginson plays Dr. Jordan Hampton in the episode (visit The Futon Critic website for more plot details).
Higginson recently spoke to Gateworld about what she’s got on her plate, “Well I just shot an episode of NCIS, which was really enjoyable. And I just came back. I cancelled our talk this morning because I had an audition for a new series called The Journeyman, which is very exciting series. I’m going to go back to Vancouver this weekend to re-shoot a couple of scenes from those gorgeous Smile of April girls. Bless their heart. So I’m keeping myself busy, which is nice.”
Dr. Elizabeth Weir will be in four episodes in Season Four: “Adrift”, “Lifeline”, “This Mortal Coil” (Part 1 of the mid-season two-parter), and a yet-to-be-identified episode, which executive producer and co-showrunner Joseph Mallozzi has kept a secret because he doesn’t want to give away major spoilers. (See Season Four episode index for more information about the episodes).
Paul McGillion
Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett) has recently auditioned for the role of the Scottish engineer Montgomery Scott in the new Star Trek movie! Filming is likely to start very soon, so the announcement as to whether or not he got the role could come within the next few weeks (the movie is set to be released December 25, 2008). Fans should visit the Save Carson Beckett Campaign website for more information about McGillion’s audition and backing. McGillion stated in one press release, “Obviously it would be a great honour to follow in James Doohan’s footsteps.”
Even though Dr. Carson Beckett was killed off in Season Three, the character will be returning for a two-part episode in Season Four called “The Kindred” (see story). Quite a lot of publicity has been obtained by the Save Carson Beckett Campaign to get Carson back for Season Five, but as of this moment, Stargate Atlantis has not yet been renewed (that announcement, too, is expected to come within the next few weeks).
Well, Torri seems to have moved on, but Paul is still very willing to come back to SGA from all we’ve heard. I very much hope he gets the role as Scotty, but that will in no way prevent him from coming back if there is a Season 5. The filming of the ST movie will be over by then.
I think that both actors would return to the Stargate set if asked, but until there is a Season Five, it’s all up in the air.
Various actors have said in interviews that they take what comes basically one day at a time. It appears neither Torri nor Paul is waiting by the phone for a call from Stargate.