During the finales of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis shown tonight, the Sci Fi Channel announced that new episodes of Atlantis will return in September for its first season (Season Four) without its sister show. No specific date was given, however.
Because of the Sci Fi Channel’s new original programming schedule, the ratings for the second half of Season Three will play a large part in whether or not there will be a Season Five of the show. Filming of Season Four is due to wrap on September 28, far too late in the production process for Season Four’s ratings to have an impact and for them to modify the season finale, if necessary, that Paul Mullie has proposed. According to co-showrunner Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, Season Four’s “Finale” episode will be “ending the season as planned.”