Stargate Atlantis, now in its fourth season on Sci Fi Channel, has just been renewed for a fifth.
The show has a new commanding officer, Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping, pictured above, who recently transferred from the now-defunct flagship series Stargate SG-1) and a new doctor, played by sci-fi veteran Jewel Staite (Firefly).
The show has weathered several major changes this season, including the departure of the original Pegasus Galaxy expedition leader, Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), who was mortally wounded at the end of the third season and sacrificed herself to save those under her command, and the death of medical officer Carson Beckett (Paul McGillion). Viewers may not have seen the last of either character, however – there are plans for repeat appearances down the road … somehow. You never die in sci-fi!
Higginson talks about her departure in an interview here and reveals that she believes she was removed because her character had faded into the background and, she figures, producers were thinking: “Why are we paying this chick when she’s only in for a couple of scenes?” And she agrees!
The recently wrapped SG-1, meanwhile, just got the deluxe boxed set treatment. List price: $330.
