When Season 5 of Atlantis begins on the SCI FI Channel, there will be some casting changes, increased participation for some and less to do for others.

One of the major changes in store for next season is fans will see less of Amanda Tapping’s character, Colonel Samantha Carter at the Atlantis Command Center. Tapping will appear in several episodes more as a recurring guest star than a regular cast member. The decision was made to pull back her up front participation to allow her to concentrate more on her online series, “Sanctuary,” which will be seen in all new episodes on the SCI FI network. With the absence of Carter, Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) will pick up more leadership responsibilities. Rumor has it he may even be in for a promotion to Full Bird Colonel, however, nothing along those lines has been confirmed.

We may also be seeing a little less of Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, at least in the early goings of the new season. As every fan of the series knows Rachel spent most of Season 4 being pregnant for real. By the time Season 5 airs she will have delivered her baby and will be spending some quality time with her new addition to the family. She is expected to return in full capacity later in the season, however.

In that regard, the pregnancy of course had to be written in for Season 4 and one who played a prominent role in Teyla’s pregnancy, the Athoshian named Kanaan, the supposed father of Teyla’s child, will make a visit to the show in Season 5.

There will be an addition to the Atlantis SG Team named Captain Alison Parker. She is military, tough and ready for action, but frustrated over Colonel Carter’s slowness in making her a permanent part of the team. That will change quickly after the first episode.

One of sci-fi fans favorite actresses, Kari Wuhrer (“Sliders”) appeared in Season 4 in the episode “Outcast” (air date Feb. 1, 2008) as Homeland Security agent Nancy Sheppard (Lt. Col. John Sheppard’s ex-wife). It has been rumored that she may be back for a few episodes next season as well.

Michael, everybody’s favorite Wraith (Connor Trinnear of “Star Trek: Enterprise”), will have a very significant storyline in Season 5, as well as more concentration of Ronon’s (Jason Moma) untold story. The show will also get to see a lot more from recurring characters like Major Evan Lorne (Kavan Smith) and Dr. Katie Brown (Brenda James), Rodney McKay’s (David Hewlett) love interest.

The Season 4 finale titled “The Last Man” is scheduled to air on March 7, 2008. The first episode for Season 5, written by Martin Gero, is called “Search and Rescue” and should start shooting in just a couple of weeks. The SCI FI Channel has yet to announce the official start date for Season 5.