Stargate Atlantis executive producer and co-showrunner Joseph Mallozzi has posted comments in his personal blog concerning the cast changes for Season Five that were recently announced by SCI FI (story).
The most significant change in the cast concerns the replacement of Amanda Tapping’s Col. Samantha Carter with Robert Picardo’s Richard Woolsey as the leader of the Atlantis Expedition. Mallozzi described the character of Woolsey as “at times obtrusive, fastidious, and, yes, a pain-in-the-ass, but also loyal, intelligent, and above all, principled.” He concluded, “Of course, his appointment does beg certain questions, the chiefest being: If Carter was appointed commander of the Atlantis expedition as a military response to the ongoing replicator and wraith threat, what has changed between then and now? Good question. Tune into season 5 to find out.”
Mallozzi also discusses the return of Paul McGillion’s Dr. Carson Beckett in five episodes. “It was great having him back on set in season 4 (story) and we all look forward to seeing significantly more of him this year.”
Fans of Michael Shanks and his Dr. Daniel Jackson will get to see Daniel visit the Lost City of the Ancients that he found (“Rising”). “So far, we’ve got a terrific, BIG two-parter planned. I suspect that the page count in the Daniel/McKay scenes (featuring the two fastest-talking actors in show business) will have the scheduling gurus doing back-flips. Remember that new enemy I mentioned? Oh, and Marty G. [producer and writer Martin Gero] will be doing the honors on this one.” Daniel’s contribution appears to be significant in this pivotal two-parter, and Mallozzi emphasized, “Michael Shanks will be in two episodes. So far.” Perhaps more episodes await Dr. Jackson’s special touch?
Concerning the number of episodes in which Col. Samantha Carter will be appearing after Tapping’s reduction to guest star (story), Mallozzi stated, “Given Amanda’s upcoming commitment, it’s impossible to offer an exact number of episodes. As I said, it really has everything to do with a) her schedule and b) the types of stories we come up with. However, I can say that, at present, we do have her locked in for two.” The Season Five premiere “Search and Rescue” is one of these two episodes, and in it, the reasons for Carter’s exit will be given.
Not mentioned in the official press release is whether or not Torri Higginson will reprise her role as Dr. Elizabeth Weir (or some form of her). Mallozzi reassured fans, “I’ve already stated our intention to pay off the storyline we hinted at in Be All My Sins Remember’d. We have the story in place and, once a deal is closed, you’ll be the first to hear about it.”
An additional piece of information that Mallozzi added about the cast that was not clearly stated in the press release is that Jewel Staite will be added to the regular cast in Season Five from her recurring status in Season Four as Dr. Jennifer Keller.
As with Season Four, Solutions plans to follow the production of Season Five here in the Solutions Blog and in the Stargate Wiki. Please visit us often as new episodes of Season Four continue to air on Fridays at 10pm Eastern on the Sci Fi Channel and as spoilers and other production news are revealed for Season Five.