Mallozzi on SGA S5 Recurring and Guest Cast

Filming has not yet started for Season Five of Stargate Atlantis, but that doesn’t mean the studios are inactive, as script coordinator Alex Levine recently stated in his scifi.com blog, “Meetings, meetings and more meetings. Yup. We’re officially prepping episode #501, which means: MEETINGS. Concept meetings, prosthetics meetings, art department meetings, costumes meetings, props meetings, stunts/spfx meetings, VFX/playback meetings, hair and makeup meetings, extras meetings, and production meetings! Not to mention, tech surveys, fittings, camera tests, contact fittings, and the cast medicals! Whoa. This is a lot of work, right here. The slow build to the first day of shooting has begun.”

In order to start filming, the production needs scripts, and it appears at least four of these scripts have been completed thus far, with “over half the season mapped out,” Mallozzi commented in his recent entry in his personal blog. Mallozzi revealed the names of four episodes thus far: the season premiere “Search and Rescue”, “The Seed”, “Broken Ties”, and “Whispers”.

And, of course, these scripts sometimes require the use of new or recurring characters to help tell the story:

Capt. Alicia Vega

As far as casting for these and future episodes, fans have been given the rare opportunity of seeing how fluid pre-production preparation can be, especially in the casting of Capt. Alicia Vega, formerly known as Capt. Alison Porter, formerly known as Capt. Joanne Taylor, for “Search and Rescue”. But all is not lost concerning “Alison Porter”, who has now become Dr. Alison Porter who will make her debut in “Whispers”.

Capt. Alicia Vega will be played by “Tao of Rodney” veteran Leela Savasta who appeared as Dr. Esposito for a brief moment in that episode. Savasta impressed the producers so much that they decided to bring her back. Capt. Vega is a new assignee to the Expedition, who is eager to join a team, but Mallozzi has stated that she won’t become part of Sheppard’s team.

Dr. Elizabeth Weir

Probably the biggest casting news, though, is whether or not Torri Higginson will return to reprise her role as Dr. Elizabeth Weir (or some form of her) to expand on the Replicator-Weir storyline started in Season Four, especially in the final scene of “Be All My Sins Remember’d”. Unfortunately, Mallozzi had to break some bad news for Weir fans:

I thought it best to inform Weir fans of recent developments. Last year, after we shot that final surprise scene in BAMSR, I stopped by Torri’s trailer to congratulate her on a job well done and, also, to assure her that the door was left wide open for Weir’s possible return (in some form, be it repli-Weir or other) the following season. Torri was excited by the prospect and, in particular, had great things to say about her new leather outfit (props to Val). As season four wrapped, Carl and Paul got to spinning and came up with a terrific storyline that picked up where that last scene of BAMSR left off. We had a story in place for one episode, the starting point of a potentially bigger arc. The script was written and we eventually contacted Torri who, after much consideration, turned down the offer to reprise the role of Elizabeth Weir for the episode. We are, of course, disappointed, but nevertheless respect Torri’s decision and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

What this means for the Replicator storyline is still to be determined.

Dr. Carson Beckett

Paul McGillion will be returning to Atlantis in Season Four for two pivotal episodes: “The Kindred Part 1” and “The Kindred Part 2” (story). Mallozzi promised fans of the Save Carson Beckett campaign that the door would be left open for his return in Season Five. True to his word, Mallozzi has announced that Carson will appear in five episodes, about which he stated, “One of Beckett’s appearances has already been scripted. Another two have been outlined and about to be written. And, at this point, we have a vague idea for two more.”

If the opportunity presents itself for more than five episodes, Mallozzi has told his blog readers that the writers will “of course” take it.

Col. Samantha Carter

It has already been revealed that Amanda Tapping has moved over to produce and star in the new season of Sanctuary (story) and that Robert Picardo will take her place in the cast for Season Five, playing IOA representative Richard Woolsey who will assume command of Atlantis from Col. Samantha Carter (story), but the actual number of episodes in which Carter will appear still hasn’t been established. 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.

Dr. Daniel Jackson

Michael Shanks has been confirmed for two episodes, a two-parter most likely slated for mid-season, and as the case with McGillion, there is room for possibly more, since Mallozzi added that Shanks has two episodes “so far”. This pivotal two-parter involves the new enemy for Season Five and pages of McKay-Jackson rapidfire dialogue, which are being penned by Martin Gero.

Early on in the talks for bringing Dr. Jackson over to Atlantis, Shanks stated in a TV Guide interview (story), “They’re definitely interested in having Daniel visit for a bit. That’s exciting for me.” Shanks had said at the Burbank Creation Con back in November that he would consider playing Daniel again only if they didn’t kill him off.

Other Recurring Characters

Mallozzi recently assured fans of Dr. Radek Zelenka (played by David Nykl) and Maj. Evan Lorne (played by Kavan Smith) that the two characters will be making appearances in Season Five. Nykl stated in his personal blog that Zelenka will be appearing in two of the first four episodes, and the script currently calls for Lorne to appear in Season Five’s premiere “Search and Rescue”. The female technician who made her debut in Season Four’s “Quarantine” (played by Sharon Taylor) has been given a name, Amelia Banks, and will also return in “Search and Rescue”. Dr. Katie Brown (played by Brenda James), however, will most likely not return.